Among the diseases associated with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common. It affects all age groups, but statistics show that the highest incidence is observed between the ages of 45 and 65. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is increasingly being diagnosed in women after pregnancy and childbirth (it can affect as many as 5-10% of women). We often attribute the symptoms of this disease to fatigue, stress, or poor diet, but in reality, the disease progresses, causing ever greater damage to the body.
The etiopathogenesis of this disease is related to genetic and environmental factors (m.in. It's often associated with smoking, viral infections, and in recent years, selenium deficiency, but many questions remain about its causes. It's known that Hashimoto's disease is autoimmune, meaning the body turns against itself—in this case, it attacks thyroid cells. The affected thyroid begins to produce fewer and fewer hormones, which negatively impacts the functioning of the entire body. One of the first alarming symptoms is a rapid increase in body weight, despite no changes in diet or physical activity levels. This happens because thyroid hormones are the main regulators of the body's metabolic rate. If their levels drop dramatically, this manifests as weight gain. In severe hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency), total energy expenditure can decrease by up to 50%, which translates into weight gain despite a proper energy intake. But be careful! If you think that eating less with hypothyroidism will reduce weight gain, nothing could be further from the truth. Energy deficiencies in the diet negatively impact metabolic processes, causing a decrease in the already slow basal metabolic rate, which translates into additional weight gain.
Hypothyroidism often presents with a characteristic set of skin changes—primarily excessive dryness and keratinization of the skin. The patient's skin has a yellowish tint, is thickened, dry, and poorly insulated. It becomes significantly dry throughout the body, gradually becoming very rough. Swelling is also common in various areas of the body and the face. Nails are characteristically thickened and brittle.
Sex hormones and thyroid hormones play a key role in regulating follicular activity (i.e., the hair growth process). They directly influence hair through special receptors, which, when stimulated by the appropriate hormone, trigger a specific response. Thyroid hormone receptors are located in critical areas for hair: the fibroblasts and keratinocytes of the hair follicle, and are therefore responsible for the rate of hair growth and the quality of the hair produced. However, thyroid hormones also indirectly affect hair by regulating metabolism and oxygen supply. As a result, fewer nutrients reach the hair follicle. Therefore, if the thyroid gland is functioning almost completely improperly, we can expect the condition of our hair to deteriorate significantly. In Hashimoto's disease, in addition to hair loss, dry, brittle, difficult to comb, and dull hair are very common.
A particularly characteristic symptom of Hashimoto's disease is the sudden onset of excessive hair loss. A closer look at this problem reveals that hypothyroidism shortens the so-called telogen phase of hair growth. It's worth noting that the majority (over 80%) of hair on our heads is in this phase.Therefore, if the telogen phase is shortened, sudden and increased hair loss is observed. In trichology, this type of hair loss is referred to as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium caused by hormonal imbalances manifests itself within 2-3 months after the triggering factor, in this case, a deficiency or absence of thyroid hormones.
The most important thing in stopping hair loss due to thyroid dysfunction is to diagnose and treat it as quickly as possible with medication, which will return thyroid hormone levels to normal. skin Without appropriate pharmacological treatment, it's doomed to failure. However, it's worth taking special care of your health and the aesthetic appearance of your skin and hair, not just by taking medications. The first important step we should take is modifying our diet. Diet for Hashimoto's disease - it's important to provide adequate amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, and water, which support skin protection, regeneration, and hydration. Iron plays a crucial role in the kinetics of thyroid hormones. Its deficiency in the diet can exacerbate the decline in thyroxine synthesis and reduce the ability to absorb iodine. Selenium is a new addition to the treatment of hypothyroidism. Research shows that taking selenium in an appropriate dose reduces the inflammatory activity of the thyroid by improving immune system function, but unfortunately, it does not cure Hashimoto's disease.
In hypothyroidism, consumption of cruciferous vegetables and legumes should also be limited, as they contain goitrogenic substances that prevent the incorporation of iodine into tyrosine or thyronine. One such substance is progoitrin, from which goitrin is formed. These compounds are present in m.in. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, and radishes. Alkylpropyl disulfides found in onions and peanut glycosides are also goitrogenic.
With Hashimoto's disease, appropriate pharmacological treatment and a healthy diet are crucial. Once thyroid hormone levels are normalized, hair will gradually begin to regrow, and skin condition will improve. Cosmetic care and supplementation will also play a significant role. This is worth the effort, as it will significantly accelerate hair regrowth and growth. The skin, however, will need a significant amount of hydration—delivered both internally and externally.
Elements particularly important for hair reconstruction include iron, zinc, silicon and magnesium, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids (vegetable oils are an excellent source of them), amino acids (e.g. derived from marine collagen, recommended Class A Collagen Noble Health (tested at the Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz) and vitamins – the most important of which is biotin (vitamin B7). This vitamin is exceptionally valuable for hair because it supplies the hair matrix with sulfur, which is the basis for strong hair. When considering a cosmetic, supplement, or diet, remember that these ingredients are on the list of essential nutrients for healthy and beautiful hair.
For the skin, restoring proper moisture levels will be paramount. A lack of hydration, especially if it has persisted for years, causes significant damage to the skin. First and foremost, substances that make up the so-called extracellular matrix, or m.in. hyaluronic acid.Furthermore, excessive dryness harms collagen fibers, causing wrinkles to appear more quickly. By increasing hydration, we simultaneously enhance the skin's natural regenerative capacity and its aesthetic appearance. When using creams, it's important to ensure they contain ingredients that retain moisture in the skin—primarily natural plant oils (e.g., argan or grape seed)—as well as humectants (water-binding substances), such as the aforementioned hyaluronic acid. Collagen, both in cream and supplement form, also works well for dehydrated skin, increasing moisture reserves and rebuilding collagen fibers.
Author:
M.Sc. M.Chrzanowska – cosmetologist, trichologist
M.Sc. V.Tomaszewicz – cosmetologist, trichologist
