Gray-ing hair and hypothyroidism: Ok, I just read... - Thyroid UK

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Gray-ing hair and hypothyroidism

hachiko profile image
16 Replies

Ok, I just read that "thyroid gland can cause premature graying that's reversible if the problem is corrected".

Anyone has experiences on this?? Was it reversed?

I am experiencing premature graying, it doesn't run in the family.

My hypothyroidism situation is in balance in terms of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and over all being and lab results.

I supplement with b12 and lab results were good last time I checked b12.

Thanks.

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hachiko profile image
hachiko
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16 Replies
Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman

This is a common symptom of any autoimmune illness, and although correct treatment, promptly given, may slow down the greying process, it's unlikely to reverse it. You may find a few hair follicles begin to behave normally again, but it won't be a general effect. Sorry.

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toHillwoman

OK thanks. I guess in a way it's at least positive to have the knowledge about the reason behind it (autoimmune disease likely cause).

Funnily, I've been happy to not colour my hair lately. For some reason I I was very into it over the years, changing colours, but for about five years I've been liking my natural hair colour. Until the gray strays!! Sigh.

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply tohachiko

Until the age of 14, my hair was thick, lustrous, and a dark red-brown overlaid with blond streaks. Then the health problems arrived, followed by the hair problems. Oh well. :-) I learned not to mind my silvery locks when young, but they really seemed to bother other people...

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toHillwoman

What matters is what you like :)

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply toHillwoman

I can remember my mother gong on at length about someone we knew who went grey very young. My mother, even though it was none of her business, really felt this girl should dye her hair!

On the other hand a boy I knew’s mother had the most wonderful ‘salt and pepper’ hair - when I think back she must have been quite young at the time - oh how I wanted hair like hers. Alas at 69 I still haven’t got there.

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toFruitandnutcase

I think it's absolutely cool and great to embrace the gray hair colour! Definitely.

In my case, I don't feel thrilled about having graying hair.., at least for now.

I'm just investigating how to go about colouring it.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply tohachiko

What about having some nice soft lowlights put in to disguise the greys with other shades. You might have less problems with regrow this.

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toFruitandnutcase

Is 'lowlight' same as highlights but the shade being something else than blonde..?

Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy in reply tohachiko

Low lights tend to be used for people with dark hair, to lift the colour, like highlights are used for people with light hair.

I have very dark brown hair and once had mahogany, chestnut and two blond shades put in.

Now I have dark brown hair with grey lights ;)

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toSilver_Fairy

My natural hair colour is darkish brown. So this is exactly what I was thinking: how to go about the "process". Funny enough, for years I coloured it blonde. Haha. Hyporthyroidism took a toll on my hair, so that's why lately I have been just leaving it alone. No chemical treatments. Appreciating the natural way. Until gray strays...

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply tohachiko

I think they are kind of similar but not so obvious.

When I used to get mine done my hair was mid brown with auburn tones and my lowlights used to be three different shades like caramel, a chestnut colour and something like a reddish shade. It was done in different quantities so that the effect was quite subtle and natural.

.

I went grey in my early 30s, but it never reversed.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

I’ve got Graves which is hyper and the front of my hair from my ears to my forehead went completely silver. There is no premature greying in my family either. It’s amazing looking. The rest of my hair is quite dark so if I wear it down the silver isn’t so obvious and if I pull it back it looks totally silver. If I gather it up and make a twist on the back of my head it ends up striped. Weird in a nice way. I’d say since my Graves went into remission a few years ago the slivering is less active - although as I’m 69 I’m going to grey anyway but apart from the silver at the front it’s really not happening very quickly.

Anyway, I thought the silver / grey hair came because I was hyper but maybe it is just an autoimmune thyroid thing.

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toFruitandnutcase

Sounds like you're making it work!

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply tohachiko

It’s good. My hairdresser is Italian and when he’s blow drying it he shows it off to everyone who is sitting waiting. He says “look at this, now look at this etc” for a guy who must have seen zillions of clients he is always fasc8nated by my silver hair.

hachiko profile image
hachiko in reply toFruitandnutcase

Your hairdresser sounds awesome!

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