If your hair has been thinning, shedding more than usual, or changing in texture, your thyroid could be playing a part. This small gland in your neck has a surprisingly big influence on your hair, and when it is not working properly, your hair is often one of the first things to show it.
The good news? Thyroid-related hair loss is usually reversible once the underlying condition is treated. Understanding the connection is the first step toward getting your hair back on track.
What Does Your Thyroid Actually Do?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck. Think of it as your body’s thermostat: it controls your metabolism, energy levels, mood, weight, and yes, your hair growth.
When your thyroid is working well, you probably never think about it. But when it produces too much or too little hormone, the effects ripple through your entire body, including your hair.
How Common Are Thyroid Problems?
More common than you might think:
- Around 1 in 20 people in the UK have a thyroid condition
- Women are up to 10 times more likely to be affected than men
- The risk increases with age, particularly after 40
- Many people go years without realising they have a problem because symptoms develop gradually
If you have noticed changes in your hair alongside fatigue, weight changes, or mood shifts, it is worth considering whether your thyroid might be involved.
The Two Main Types
Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
This is when your thyroid does not produce enough hormone, slowing everything down. It is the more common of the two conditions.
Signs to look out for:
- Feeling tired all the time
- Unexplained weight gain
- Feeling cold when others are comfortable
- Dry skin
- Low mood
- Dry, brittle hair that breaks easily
- Hair thinning across your whole scalp
- Thinning eyebrows, especially at the outer edges
Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
This is when your thyroid produces too much hormone, speeding everything up.
Signs to look out for:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling anxious or jittery
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling too hot
- Fine, fragile hair that breaks easily
- Noticeable hair shedding
How Thyroid Problems Affect Your Hair
Your hair grows in cycles. At any given time, most of your hair is actively growing while a small percentage is resting before naturally falling out and being replaced.
When your thyroid hormones are out of balance, this cycle gets disrupted:
- More hair shifts into the resting phase too early
- New hair does not grow quickly enough to replace what is shed
- The result is gradual, all-over thinning rather than bald patches
You might also notice changes in how your hair feels. An underactive thyroid often makes hair dry, coarse, and dull. An overactive thyroid tends to make hair finer and more fragile.
One classic sign many people overlook: thinning of the outer third of your eyebrows. If you have noticed this alongside other symptoms, it is worth getting checked.
Thyroid Conditions and Patchy Hair Loss
If you are experiencing patchy hair loss (rather than all-over thinning), there may be another factor at play. Autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s disease share a connection with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes circular patches of hair loss.
Research shows that people with autoimmune thyroid conditions are significantly more likely to develop alopecia areata. If you have patches of hair loss alongside thyroid symptoms, both conditions may need to be addressed.
Getting Tested
A simple blood test can check your thyroid function. Your GP can arrange this, usually starting with a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test. If the results are abnormal, further tests can pinpoint exactly what is happening.
It is also worth checking for nutritional deficiencies that often accompany thyroid problems and can make hair loss worse, particularly iron, vitamin D, and B12. At Hair Loss Studios, we offer blood testing that can assess these key markers.
Will My Hair Grow Back?
For most people, yes. Once your thyroid levels are balanced with the right treatment, your hair follicles can return to their normal growth cycle.
What to expect:
- It takes time for medication to stabilise your hormone levels (usually several weeks)
- You may notice less shedding within 3 to 6 months
- Visible regrowth typically appears around 6 to 12 months
- Full recovery can take 12 to 18 months
A little patience is needed. Hair grows slowly (about 1 centimetre per month), so even when things are improving internally, it takes time to see the results.
A note about medication: Some people notice temporary increased shedding when they first start thyroid medication. This can be alarming, but it is usually a sign that hair follicles are transitioning back to a healthier cycle. It typically settles within a few months.
What If My Hair Does Not Fully Recover?
Sometimes hair does not bounce back completely, even after thyroid treatment. This can happen if:
- Another type of hair loss is also present (such as female pattern hair loss)
- Nutritional deficiencies have not been addressed
- Thyroid levels are in the “normal” range but not optimal for you
If your hair has not improved after 6 to 12 months of treatment, it is worth reviewing your levels with your doctor and checking for other contributing factors.
How Hair Loss Studios Can Help
While treating the underlying thyroid condition is essential (and something you will work on with your GP or specialist), we can support your hair recovery with treatments designed to optimise scalp health and encourage regrowth.
PRP Therapy
Once your thyroid is under control, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy can help by delivering concentrated growth factors directly to your scalp. This supports follicle activity and creates a healthier environment for regrowth.
LED Light Therapy
Low-level light therapy stimulates cellular activity in hair follicles and can complement your medical treatment.
Blood Testing
We can test for nutritional deficiencies that may be holding back your hair recovery, including iron, ferritin, vitamin D, and B12.
Personalised Advice
Every hair loss journey is different. During a free consultation, we can assess your situation and recommend the best approach for you.
Simple Steps to Support Your Hair
While you are waiting for treatment to take effect, these gentle practices can help:
- Use a mild, sulphate-free shampoo
- Avoid excessive heat styling
- Be gentle when brushing, especially when hair is wet
- Eat enough protein (your hair needs it)
- Manage stress where possible (easier said than done, but it does help)
- Stay consistent with your medication
FAQs
How do I know if my hair loss is caused by my thyroid?
Thyroid-related hair loss is usually diffuse (thinning all over rather than in patches), often comes with changes in hair texture, and is typically accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or feeling unusually cold or hot. A blood test can confirm whether your thyroid is the cause.
Will my hair definitely grow back after treatment?
For most people, yes. Hair typically starts to recover within 3 to 6 months of starting treatment, with noticeable improvement over 6 to 12 months. Complete recovery can take up to 18 months. Some people may not see full recovery if other factors (like pattern hair loss or nutritional deficiencies) are also involved.
Can thyroid medication cause hair loss?
It can cause temporary shedding in the first few months, which often worries people. This is usually a sign that follicles are resetting to a healthier cycle and typically resolves on its own. If hair loss continues beyond 6 months of stable treatment, speak to your doctor.
Should I have my thyroid checked if I am losing hair?
If you are experiencing unexplained hair thinning, especially alongside fatigue, weight changes, mood changes, or temperature sensitivity, it is worth asking your GP for a thyroid test. It is one of the most common and treatable causes of hair loss.
Can stress cause thyroid problems?
Stress does not directly cause thyroid disease, but it can worsen symptoms and may trigger autoimmune thyroid conditions in people who are predisposed. Managing stress supports both thyroid health and hair health.
Is thyroid hair loss the same as alopecia areata?
No, they are different. Thyroid-related hair loss is usually diffuse (all over), while alopecia areata causes distinct patches. However, autoimmune thyroid conditions are linked to a higher risk of developing alopecia areata, so both can sometimes occur together.
Can Hair Loss Studios treat thyroid-related hair loss?
We cannot treat the thyroid condition itself (you will need your GP or an endocrinologist for that), but we can support your hair recovery with treatments like PRP and LED therapy once your thyroid is being managed. We also offer blood testing to check for nutritional factors that may be affecting your hair.
When to Take Action
If you are experiencing hair thinning alongside any of these symptoms, consider booking a thyroid test with your GP:
- Persistent tiredness
- Unexplained weight changes
- Feeling unusually cold or hot
- Mood changes or anxiety
- Dry skin or brittle nails
- Changes in your menstrual cycle
The sooner a thyroid problem is identified and treated, the better the outcome for your hair.
And if your thyroid is already being treated but your hair is not recovering as you hoped, we are here to help. Book a free consultation at Hair Loss Studios and let us look at what else might be going on.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Thyroid conditions require proper medical diagnosis and treatment from your GP or a specialist. If you suspect a thyroid problem, please seek medical advice. Hair Loss Studios offers supportive treatments for hair health but does not diagnose or treat thyroid conditions.
Sources
- Al-Refu K. “Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Hair Disorders.” Cureus, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37692605/
- Thyroid UK. “Hypothyroidism Overview.” https://thyroiduk.org/
- British Thyroid Foundation. “Thyroid Disorders Affect One in Twenty People in the UK.”
- Cleveland Clinic. “Is My Thyroid Condition To Blame for My Hair Loss?” 2024. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-my-thyroid-condition-to-blame-for-my-hair-loss
- Wohl Y, et al. “Risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases in individuals with alopecia areata.” JDDG, 2026.
- Medical News Today. “Thyroid and hair loss: Symptoms, treatment, and outlook.” 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326902