I have an underactive thyroid for which I am taking thyroxine. I wonder if this could be the cause of my continual hair loss problems?
Certainly hair loss can occur with an underactive thyroid, and hair loss occurs often months after the thyroid disease is treated, because the hair which falls out has a short life span and therefore continues to fall despite being on thyroxine for a few months. The new hair growing in with normal thyroid hormones levels has a normal life span and therefore the hair gradually regains its normal pattern. If your TSH levels are normal, I don’t think it is likely that a thyroid disease is contributing to your problem. It sounds as is you could have a condition called telogen effluvium, which can occur spontaneously for reasons, which are poorly understood although stress has been postulated to play a role in this condition. If this is the case the hair will usually grow back in spontaneously. A dermatologist should be able to advise further.
