Thyroid Association with Hair Loss
What is thyroid disease? A thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck. The gland produces hormones that are released by thyroids called Triodothyronine, (t3), and thyroxin, (t4). There are two kinds of thyroid disease relevant to hair loss, Hyperthyroidism, and Hypothyroidism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism generally occur in women.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that overly produces thyroid hormone by an enlarged thyroid gland, which causes diffuse hair loss. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is called Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition resulting in over producing thyroid hormone by an enlarged gland. Women between their twenties and thirties are mostly infected with hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's disease, antibodies that attacks the thyroid causing destruction of the thyroid hormone production.
CAUSES OF THYROID DISEASE
The signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have some similarities, yet there are some differences. Hyperthyroidism causes loose bowel movement but hypothyroidism causes constipation. Heat is more tolerant with hyperthyroidism. Cold is however more tolerant in hypothyroidism. The one thing these two types of thyroid diseases have in common is they both are the major causes of hair loss. Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight gain or loss, excessive perspiring, fatigue, leg swelling, emotional changes and oily skin. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, depression, the swelling of eyelids, hands and feet, muscle aches and dry skin.
Studies have shown that millions of Americans have been affected with a thyroid disease. Some have been diagnosed while others with thyroid infections are undiagnosed. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are autoimmune thyroid diseases that changes the natural body production between it's tissues, organs and glands. The antibodies destroys the thyroid or makes it overly productive. If you have one autoimmune disease you can easily increase the risk of attracting another autoimmune disease. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are two of the most common problems of thyroid development. Triodothyronine and thyroxin are hormonal thyroids that deliver energy to the cells of the body.
