Is there really a connection between gray hairs & hypothyroidism?

Question

I was on a website that said having an underactive thyroid may/can cause gray hairs? Anyone know anything more about this?

And all this time I was blaming the kids!

Answer 1

Hypothyroidism doesn't cause hair to turn gray. Hair gets its natural color from a type of pigment called melanin. The formation of melanin begins before birth. The natural color of our hair depends upon the distribution, type and amount of melanin in the middle layer of the hair shaft or cortex.

Gray hair is typically a result of natural aging. Pigment in the hair shaft comes from special cells at the root (base) of the hair. These cells are genetically programmed to make a certain amount of pigment (melanin) at specific ages. At some point in the aging process, these cells make less and less pigment until the hair has very little pigment. White hair has no pigment, and gray hair has some but not as much as a red, black or brown hair.

Not all hairs respond in the same way or at the same time. So the graying process usually is gradual. You can't prevent graying. Some people start graying in their 30s, and some not until their 60s. Genetics likely play a strong role in graying.

Don't blame the kids!

Hope this helps. Take care.

Answer 2

This can be a side effect of hypothyroidism.

I was diagnosed as hypothyroid art age 31, now at age 49 have only just started getting one or 2 grey hairs.

My daughter's friend, who has no thyroid problems, started going grey at 16! Due to hereditary.

So while it can be a symptom, it is not necessarilly that causing the grey, or a guarantee you will go grey.

Answer 3

MY HAIR IS TOTALLY GRAY SINCE ABOUT 28 OR 29 YRS OLD.I'M NOW 52 AND DIDN'T HAVE A THYROID PROBLEM. I WAS TESTED ONCE.