Does Levothyroxine Cause Hair Loss In Women? How To Prevent It

Does Levothyroxine Cause Hair Loss In Women And Children?

To understand if levothyroxine causes hair loss, we need to dive deep into the relation between thyroid dysfunction and hair loss. Thyroid dysfunctions are known to cause hair loss. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid functioning) causes the scalp to become oily due to an insufficiency of thyroid hormones. It also makes hair coarse and scanty, and may even lead to baldness. Excess thyroid function, on the other hand, causes hyperthyroidism that also makes hair fine and very scanty. Hair thinning is a common occurrence. Such thyroid imbalances can cause alopecia areata (2).

While levothyroxine is used to treat thyroid imbalances (and their associated side effects, like hair loss), it also may cause hair loss in some cases.

In a study, a 10-month infant diagnosed with hypothyroidism faced sudden diffuse alopeciaⁱ  Autoimmune condition causing hair loss that affects the whole of the scalp beyond concentrating in localized areas, thereby leading to reduced hair density. on the scalp (3). The cause was found to be an overdose of levothyroxine, leading to an excessive thyroid function, causing hair loss. Hair loss occurred after two weeks of starting levothyroxine and ended a few days after the dosage was reduced. This shows that there needs to be an accuracy in the prescribed dosage. When ingested in the appropriate dosage, levothyroxine only balances the thyroid level without causing hair loss.

In another study conducted with 255 women, thyroxine (commonly levothyroxine) was shown to cause diffuse hair loss (4). This shows that anti-thyroid medication can cause drug-induced hair loss.

Drug-induced hair loss leads to either telogen or anagen effluvium (5). Telogen effluviumⁱ  Temporary hair loss usually caused due to stress or trauma. A condition of generalized hair loss noticed for two to three months following the trigger events. normally occurs two to four months after you start taking the drug (including levothyroxine). Anagen effluviumⁱ  Loss of hair in the initial stages of the hair growth cycle (anagen). It is rapid and caused mostly due to chemotherapy, drugs or toxins. occurs within a few days or weeks from drug intake. These can lead to patterned or diffused hair loss and can be acute or chronic.

Hair loss is a common occurrence in pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels. Although it may cause hair loss, levothyroxine is one of the few medications safe for pregnant and nursing women (6).

Should You Discontinue Levothyroxine To Stop Hair Loss?

Since treatment with levothyroxine is lifelong, it cannot be discontinued. But depending on your thyroid levels, the dosage may be increased or decreased. Stopping anti-thyroid medication can have severe effects on the body. But there are some other treatment suggestions and lifestyle and dietary changes you can make to prevent hair loss.

Here are some tips you can try to prevent hair loss while taking levothyroxine.

How To Prevent Hair Loss In Women Who Take Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine medication is to be taken lifelong. But the dosage may be increased or decreased based on your serum TSH levels. If you take levothyroxine to regulate your thyroid levels but are experiencing hair loss, do not panic. Here are a few tips to help reduce such drug-induced hair loss and thinning hair.

• You can try homemade hair masks made with natural ingredients like eggs, milk, oils, yogurt, and fenugreek seeds. These may stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss.

• Massaging your scalp with warm oil can improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. Massaging can also improve hair thickness and length (7).

• Topical minoxidil can be used to treat hair loss and stimulate hair growth (8). Other medication like finasteride, topical steroid treatments, radiation therapy and tretinoin might help (9).

• Aromatherapy and herbal treatments may also help reduce hair loss, and even stimulate hair growth (9).

• Stress is another cause of hair loss. Improving your lifestyle to mitigate stress factors may help reduce hair loss. Exercise, meditate, and practice yoga or Pilates.

• Consume more fruits and vegetables. These contain vitamins and minerals essential for hair growth (9).

• Avoid crash diets or overeating.

• Do not color your hair with regular hair dyes that use chemicals. Stop excess use of styling tools. Avoid going for hair chemical treatments too frequently.

• Avoid hairstyles that pull on your hair.

• Stop using shampoos and other hair products that contain chemicals, as they may cause an imbalance of the scalp and hair pH.

There is a specific method to diagnose hair loss caused by drugs. Know more in the next section.

Diagnosing Drug-Induced Hair Loss: When To See A Doctor

It is normal to lose 80 to 100 hair strands a day. But consult a doctor if you notice excessive hair loss. The doctor may perform a gentle pull test to confirm drug-induced hair loss (9). You may be asked to stop washing hair for five days before the test. After five days, a lock of hair is gently pulled at the ends to note the amount of hair loss occurring. Hair loss beyond 10% could be diagnosed as alopecia. The doctor might perform other tests to confirm drug-induced hair loss and may suggest any alternatives.

Check out the next section to learn about the symptoms you should look out for to prevent overdosing on levothyroxine.

Symptoms Of Excess Levothyroxine Intake

Taking too much levothyroxine may potentially contribute to hair loss. You should be aware of some symptoms that may give you an indication of whether the hair loss you are experiencing is because of levothyroxine or an overdose (11):

• Common signs include palpitations, anxiety, nausea, irritability, and tremors.
• May also cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and changes in menstrual patterns.
• Other potential indicators may involve heat intolerance and weight loss.
• In severe and rare cases, may manifest as cardiac arrhythmias, chest pain, and even heart failure.

Cennetta Burwell, a blogger, shared her experience with Levothyroxine intake. In her blog, she wrote, “Somewhere between the 4th and 5th-month post-surgery, my doctor was able to determine that 75mcg of Levothyroxine was the correct dosage for me. About a month after each change, new blood tests were ordered to check the hormone levels. I continued to have severe headaches, poor concentration, fatigue, dry skin, and hair loss (i).”

It is necessary to monitor the medication level closely to prevent adverse effects on your hair growth and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take biotin with levothyroxine?

While no adverse reactions have been reported when taking biotin with levothyroxine, biotin may lead to false thyroid levels. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before ingesting biotin with levothyroxine.

How common is hair loss with levothyroxine?

Hair loss is a common side effect noticed in people taking levothyroxine. But, it should stop once you discontinue the drug.

What are the side effects of levothyroxine?

Apart from hair loss, other side effects of levothyroxine include nausea, weight gain or loss, puking, diarrhea, appetite changes, fever, menstrual cycle changes, etc.

What is the highest level of levothyroxine?

The highest dosage of levothyroxine is 100 mg/tablet.

Learn about the use, dosage, and side effects of levothyroxine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism. Get the facts by clicking on the video below to make an informed decision.