Hyperthyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid glands release an overabundance of hormones, which in turn have an adverse effect on the body. This can definitely have a poor affect on one’s hair. Some of the more common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include uncontrollable weight gain, heart palpitations, anxiety, shakiness and muscle twitching.

The excessive hormone production can also lead to other conditions such as Grave’s disease and inflammation.

Hyperthyroidism and Hair Loss

Hair loss is a result of this condition and it can be cured once hyperthyroidism is eradicated. Hair reflects what is going on in one’s body. Hair cells grow quickly and need water and nutrition to grow. When something goes wrong in the body, cell growth and unimportant organs are hit first. Hair grows so quickly that when we are sick we see the immediate affects on the hair.

A family, friend or more importantly your hair dresser could possibly notice that there is a problem latent or simmering somewhere as they can immediately tell if there is change in your hair and in your health. Though most people would tend to immediately brush it off when told that their "bad hair day" is actually an indication that something is going wrong with their health; the fact is it is true. You should make it a point to see your doctor- in the early stages this condition is often treatable if not curable and it is critical that you do something about it before it is too late.

It takes time to treat this ailment, anywhere from weeks to months until hormone levels even out. Hair loss can stop, but it takes hair follicles 3 months to begin hair re-growth. It can actually take up to 3 months for the body to go through a cycle of correcting excessively high levels of thyroid hormone, which have been collected in the body.

Having the right type and the right amount of medication can prevent hair loss from hyperthyroidism. A physician and you can work together to find what works best. Whatever the stage of hyperthyroidism, a doctor will guide you to what is best in terms of treatment, whether it be surgery, medication or even what is called radioactive iodine. Drugs that help to prevent hormone release and deal with the thyroid on a cell-level are also available.

A worse case scenario involves surgery in which part of the gland and sometimes the entire gland is removed. But this can be complicated as it can result in a multitude of other problems such as hypoglycemia or damage to the laryngeal nerve.

All in all, hair loss is a direct affect of hyperthyroidism and is the first indication that you might possibly have this problem. But also it is important to remember there are plenty of treatment options available to you.