Prematurely grey, thyroid related or not?

[xJJx]

I went grey in my 30s was it thyroid related, or just genetic?

[jellynpain]

Hi,

Interesting question. I began going grey from around 12, slowly but surely.

I have had sudden poor health the last three years (48 then) & had many tests. One of those tests discovered I have half a thyroid gland. I mentioned my grey hair from very young to the Endocrinologist... response.... looked at me like I was just out of the looney bin (I'm not of course, I may add

[shaws Administrator in reply to jellynpain]

No, you're definitely not.

[shaws Administrator]

It is genetic and also connected to B12 deficiency as well the thyroid gland.

Extract

A vitamin B12 deficiency or problems with the pituitary or thyroid gland can cause premature greying that’s reversible if the problem is corrected.

webmd.boots.com/healthy-ski...

I had my first few grey hairs around 19.

[Silver_Fairy in reply to shaws]

Is it genetic, though, because thyroid issues are probably genetic?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Silver_Fairy]

My mother also had white hair and didn't have a thyroid problem but did have Pernicious Anaemia (I have also) diagnosed long before hypo.

[Marz]

I remember someone posting here about two years ago about having white hair at the front of the head as being a sign of Hypothyroidism. It was a comment made by a GP to her husband ! I have a distinctly white area and then mixed at the back. Of course the other thought is that when hypo - there are vitamin and mineral deficiencies which may also cause the problem.

It's a bit like the two necklaces on the neck which I also posted about moons ago. A Greek Doc - I was told - always knew when patients were Hypo due to the two distinct wrinkles like necklaces And yes I see them everywhere. Of course people think it is due to extra weight - but I see them on not so heavy people too

[Clutter]

xjjx, Hyperthyroidism and Graves disease are known to cause premature greying. Not sure about hypothyroidism.

[jellynpain]

Thanks Shaws for the article link & confidence in me not being 'completely mad

[thyroidgriffin]

Along these lines..anyone heard of gray hair that immediately turns to natural color...brown...after plucking them out? Oxidation due to some deficiency maybe?

[silverfox7 in reply to thyroidgriffin]

I have facial hair that if I pluck it because it feels like wire turns brown as soon as! I also started going grey early but it got very noticeable in my mid 30's. The midwife said to me one day that she hoped I didn't mind being asked but was my hair natural or had I has it streaked! My comment that do people actually pay to have hair like this! I also read in the local paper that people with premature greying are at a greater risk of osteoporosis. I asked in the HRT clinic at my surgery and was told the expert didn't believe that which I think I've read fairly recently is not true, there isnt a connection. I have now got very white hair-hence my user name but I have a few black hairs scattered though it-so did my gran who I now suspect also had a thyroid problem! I think I've had an increase in these since I've been supplementing. Interestingly my eyebrows are still dark brown! So what is going on?!

[Stormx]

My hair starting going grey, when I first became ill, I became very worrying when my body hair starting growing white

[Ruby1]

I started going grey at about 30 and was definitely more grey than my friends. I am hypo (since about 40yrs old), but my sister who has no thyroid issues started going grey when she was about 20, so I reckon mine is to do with genetics.

[samspam]

I've been going grey since my early 20s, now I'm 35 and have to dyey hair every month. I was diagnosed with graves last jan and b12 deficient in July (currently on injections) I've been told it could be reversed by these. Just wondering if anyone actually has had an improvement in their hair colour?

[BeansMummy]

I am closer to 60 than 50 <cries> but only have a couple of grey hairs, literally (and I have to hunt for them if I want to find them). I think I must have lucky genes.