It's not alopecia...?

Question

I have an irregular thyroid. Symptoms I live with are dry skin, fatigue, weight gain if not controlled, and thinning hair. I am still a young woman and though not vain, concerned with my appearance. Any sugestions for taking care of my hair and ensuring as little as possible falls out? It's becoming thinner and thinner on top every day...kind of depressing...

Answer 1

If your doctor says its okay, take a "womens one-a-day" multivitamin. plus a flax seed oil. Allow your self a serving of nuts (about the size of golf ball) especially almonds, walnuts and macadamia.

They have essential fat soluable vitamins that can help with skin and hair, like vitamin E. Ideally you should try to get all you vitamins from your diet, but that doesn't always happen, so a multi vitamin is a good backup.

You need a well balanced diet for good hair, skin and nails because your body considers those areas a little bit "expendable" in terms of survival. If it is a choice between giving your heart and muscles the vitamin or your hair.... guess who gets the short end of the stick...?

Also you want to avoid breaking the hair you do have. Buy some satin pillow cases, they have less friction on your hair when you sleep.

Don't brush or comb your hair when it is wet. Detangle it before you wash it. When you shampoo your hair gently massage your scalp to increase circulation. When you apply conditioner don't apply it to any closer than a couple inches to your head. It can clog your scalp pores and hurt hair growth. Gently pat it dry with a towel. Don't scrub or wring it. Allow it to dry on its own time.

Get a good quality haircut, so it hangs nice with minimal styling (i.e. minimal damage). work with your texture, If it is curly, don't try to straighten it. If it is straight don't try to curl it with heat at home. If you hair is getting very thin, talk to a stylist about a body wave to give your hair more lift. Don't do a "poodle perm", They look terrible on 90% of people. Yes your hair would have "body", but it is also kind of like an afro, but not in a "cool" way.

If your stylist wants to cut layers into it, or cut it shorter to give it more movement, don't fight her. It really can make you look like you have more, when they cut some of it out. When they cut layers into my hair it lightens the weight and makes the hair bouncier, so it look full insteady of hanging low like I'm from the 60's. Besides, long, *thin* hair look...well, a little desperate. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just the kind of person who would tell you if your slip is showing...ya know?

If your hair loss continues you do have options. If you go to "Sallys Beauty Supply" (national chain) they do sell some hair peices that still let your hair show through, One I have seen is shaped like a hair net, but more skull cap like. And it has a mesh that is elastic, laid out in kind of a diamond pattern about 3/4 inch apart. On the elastic is hair about 2-3 inches long, then you pull your hair through the web of the cap elastic.

The end result is that your own hair shows through, and when people see your head they don't see your pink scalp peeking through, they see fullness.

They aren't very expensive. I think about $25.
If you want less hassle and have more money consider getting a weave. A stylist in a salon braids tiny strands across your head at strategic places. Then they sew a "weft" of human hair to the braid which matches your own color.

Even if you arent going thin many people choose to do this for weddings (I always wanted long hair, but I don't have time to grow it out) Or movie stars, men and women.

Women of color do it all the time, it is a totally normal thing to do if you have the money.

So thats your options. Good luck!

Answer 2

The trick would be to use shampoos with stimulating essential oils added such as sage, clary sage and rosemary. Diet could help - iodine rich foods though check with your GP.
What might be even better is reflexology. I treated someone with a deficient thyroid and a one off treatment had remarkable results for her, enabling her to avoid increasing her medication People vary tremendously in their reactions, but you could try treating yourself - it is not hard to learn, and it should help keep your thyroid balanced.
I would recommend Reflexology a step-by-step guide, by Ann Gillanders. It has nice clear pictures of the positions.
If you do decide to use reflexology, it would be a good idea to inform your doctor if you are on medication for your thyroid. Also, you may find the day after you have had reflexology you may get flu like symptoms, nausea, headaches or diarrhoea but these are temporary and should last no more than 24 hours. This is the body righting itself. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks and drink plenty of water to minimise any side effects.

Answer 3

I also have thyroid disease caused by radiation to my neck. You can eat healthy and take whole food suppliments along with coral calcium. Make sure you take your medicine in morning w/no food 1 hr before, do not drink with citris juice or do not take calcium with it at the same time. Take calcium at night w/vitamin D. Its very important that you do because thyroid meds can have a effect on your bone in the future. So take thyroid med in morning 1 hr before or 2 hr after. Take a vitamin at night with your calcium and follow a nutrisious diet.

Answer 4

Have you gone to the doctor? Get there as soon as you can. Sounds like it is to me, to be alopecia, but I'm not a doctor. Good Luck you will not be the only person to have alopecia, others are out in this world. Good Luck

Answer 5

I've heard Propecia can work wonders for men and some women take it (as long as you are done having kids).

Answer 6

I saw an infomercial for Hair Club...

Answer 7

uh oh..