Hashimotos and Hair Loss

[nkelly]

Hi Dr. Redmond, I have a question regarding hairloss and Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimotos three years ago, and this was after a year and a half of hairloss. I have been on synthroid since and my thyroid levels check in ok, but all of the hair that I lost has never grown back in. And even though the hair loss is at a somewhat normal rate my hair just keeps getting thinner because nothing is replacing it. I asked my endocronoligist and she had no answers. Are there any other option for me? I read about cortizone shots but is this something that would be helpful in my case? Thank you!!

N Kelly

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

Hi Dr. Redmond, I have a question regarding hairloss and Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimotos three years ago, and this was after a year and a half of hairloss. I have been on synthroid since and my thyroid levels check in ok, but all of the hair that I lost has never grown back in. And even though the hair loss is at a somewhat normal rate my hair just keeps getting thinner because nothing is replacing it. I asked my endocronoligist and she had no answers. Are there any other option for me? I read about cortizone shots but is this something that would be helpful in my case? Thank you!!

N Kelly

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a condition in which the immune system damages the thyroid, eventually causing it to be underactive. It is associated with alopecia areata, patches with no hair at all. Unfortunately, treating the thyroid condition, though important, does not help alopecia areata. The only treatment for this is scalp injections. However, because Hashimoto's is extremely common in women -- about 22% of women will develop it in their lifetimes -- it can occur with hormonal hair loss by coincidence.

[nkelly]

Thank you Dr. Redmond, I appreciate your dedication to helping the members on this site!!!!