Understanding Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This causes metabolism to slow down, leading to a variety of symptoms. While hypothyroidism can affect anyone, it is most common in women over 50 years old.
Common Causes
Some of the most common causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto's disease - an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack the thyroid
- Treatment for hyperthyroidism where the thyroid is damaged or removed
- Radiation treatment of the thyroid
- Certain medications
- Iodine deficiency
- Congenital disease where the thyroid fails to develop properly
In many cases, the exact cause of hypothyroidism cannot be determined. When no cause can be found, it is termed idiopathic hypothyroidism.
Signs and Symptoms
The onset of hypothyroidism symptoms is generally gradual and can easily be mistaken for normal aging. Common symptoms include:
Fatigue and Weakness
One of the hallmark signs of an underactive thyroid is feeling chronically tired despite getting adequate sleep. You may also experience diminished strength and endurance for physical activity.
Weight Gain
Low thyroid hormones slow your metabolism causing you to burn fewer calories. This makes weight loss extremely difficult and causes accumulation of fat deposits even with modest food intake.
Depression
Hypothyroidism can trigger clinical depression due to chemical imbalances it causes in the brain. You may experience sadness, loss of motivation, and loss of interest in normal activities.
Hair Loss
Hair follicles are highly sensitive to thyroid hormones. When thyroid levels fall, it triggers premature hair shedding and thinning most noticeable on the scalp but affecting hair all over the body.
Dry, Flaky Skin
Decreased thyroid hormones slow skin cell turnover causing skin to become excessively dry, scaly, and itchy - especially on the legs and arms.
Cold Intolerance
Since your thyroid regulates body temperature, lowered thyroid function causes you to constantly feel cold even in warmer weather or during physical exertion.
Muscle Cramps & Weakness
Without proper thyroid hormones, transport of glucose into cells declines leading to muscle fatigue, tenderness, stiffness, and frequent muscle cramps.
Constipation
Gastrointestinal motility slows down significantly in hypothyroidism. Stool passes through the intestines very slowly leading to symptoms of chronic constipation.
Beauty Challenges of Hypothyroidism
In addition to general symptoms that affect overall wellbeing, hypothyroidism presents several beauty challenges including:
Dry Itchy Skin
With low thyroid function, skin cell turnover slows causing dead skin cells to accumulate faster than new ones replace them. This manifests as severely dry, scaly, flaky skin.
Excessive Hair Loss
Hair follicles depend on thyroid hormones to continually produce new healthy hair strands. As thyroid levels drop, excessive shedding occurs along with gradual thinning of hair density.
Thinning Eyebrows
The gradual diffuse hair loss associated with hypothyroidism frequently affects the delicate hairs of the eyebrow area. This causes them to lose their lushness and appear over-tweezed.
Puffy Eyes & Face
Fluid accumulation under the skin and eyes leads to stubborn bags under the eyes along with generalized facial puffiness that creates an aged, tired appearance.
Yellowish Skin
The orange-yellow pigment called carotene accumulates in hypothyroidism skin giving it an unhealthy sallow, pale yellow hue rather than a warm glow.
Treatments to Regain Your Best Beauty
While hypothyroidism cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively in most people. With proper treatment, thyroid hormone levels can be restored allowing many troublesome symptoms to improve including beauty concerns like dry skin and hair loss. Treatments include:
Thyroid Hormone Replacement
Synthetic thyroid medication taken daily helps normalize thyroid hormone levels thereby reversing hypothyroidism symptoms. Brand names include Synthroid, Levoxyl and Levothroid.
Desiccated Thyroid Extract
As an alternative to synthetic thyroid medication, desiccated thyroid derived from animal thyroid glands can be used. The most well known brand is Armour Thyroid.
Cut Back on Goitrogenic Foods
Goitrogens are substances found in certain foods like soy, cruciferous vegetables and strawberries that may interfere with thyroid function. Limiting consumption of these foods helps some people.
Tips to Look Your Best
In combination with medical treatment to get thyroid levels normalized, numerous self-care tips can help restore your best beauty.
Moisturize Skin
Combat dry, flaky skin with rich moisturizing creams and hydrating serums containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum. These provide a protective seal preventing moisture loss.
Exfoliate Regularly
Remove dull surface skin cells with alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid exfoliants. Salicylic acid helps dissolve skin debris clogging pores as well.
Mask Occasionally
Give extremely dehydrated skin an added surge of moisture with occasional masks made with oils, honey, glycerin or oatmeal. These provide deep hydration to revive skins healthy appearance.
Stimulate Hair Follicles
Invigorate hair roots and minimize shedding with thickening shampoos containing ingredients like biotin, niacin, ginseng, saw palmetto and menthol.
Camouflage Sparse Brows
Disguise over-plucked brows using brow powders, pencils and tinted gels to create the illusion of fuller arches. Many cosmetic companies offer great brow-enhancing products nowadays.
Take a Collagen Supplement
Collagen production declines with hypothyroidism accelerating signs of aging skin. Taking a daily supplement helps minimize wrinkling and restore youthful skin bounce.
Get More Sleep
Chronic fatigue causes under eye puffiness and lackluster complexion. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours sleep nightly allowing skin time to repair and refresh its appearance.
Color Correct Yellow Skin
Camouflage sallow discoloration using green-tinted primers and foundations. These effectively counteract yellow skin tones for brighter, clearer complexion.
Dont hesitate to experiment with various moisturizers, hair treatments and cosmetic products to find the best items for optimizing your beauty and concealing hypothyroid symptoms.
Outlook for Recovery
The good news is that with proper medical treatment, most people with hypothyroidism can get their symptoms successfully under control allowing them to feel normal and regain their best appearance once again.
While beauty and hair setbacks related to hypothyroidism can be extremely discouraging initially, you can get beyond the puffy eyes, sallow skin and shedding hair by working with your doctor to optimize thyroid hormone levels plus implementing helpful self-care practices.
FAQs
Why does hypothyroidism cause hair loss?
Hair follicles depend on adequate thyroid hormones to continually grow healthy new hair. When thyroid hormone levels decline, it triggers premature hair shedding and thinning hair density across the scalp and whole body.
How can I treat my severe dry skin?
Combat dry, flaky skin by applying rich moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid or petrolatum daily to hydrate and protect skin. Exfoliating weekly also helps remove dull debris revealing smoother skin underneath.
What causes puffy eyes with hypothyroidism?
Fluid accumulation under the eyes leading to puffiness and bags is driven by inflammation and leakage of blood vessels in the skin often accompanying hypothyroidism. Getting hypothyroidism under control can significantly improve this.
Will my hair grow back if I treat my thyroid?
Yes, getting on the proper thyroid medication to restore hormone levels is the most critical step to halting excessive hair shedding. As thyroid function normalizes, the majority of people see their hair density improve and stabilize.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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