What does your thyroid have to do with body hair?

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I was reading a question, and someone had answered that your thyroid is responsible for hair on your body. What is a thyroid and what exactly does it do? What are its responsibilities in females?
You need your thyroid for the hormones it produces. The thyroid—a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck—makes hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Your thyroid controls your metabolism, which is how your body turns food into energy, and also affects your heart, muscles, bones and cholesterol.

While thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) to life-threatening cancer, the most common thyroid problems involve an abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Too little hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid becomes overactive and produces too much of its hormones. People with hyperthyroidism have problems that reflect overactivity of the organs of the body, resulting in symptoms such as sweating, feeling hot, rapid heartbeats, weight loss, HAIR LOSS, and sometimes eye problems.

Unlike hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels, causing you to feel weak and tired. Hypothyroidism will also cause HAIR LOSS.

Pretty much, if your thyroid produces too much or too little of the T3 hormone... then you will suffer the effects of hair loss.

If you need more information regarding thyroids (what they do and how they contribute to hair loss)... then check out a few of these links.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/health/wellnessandprevention/slideshow1_ss_soh_200803/1
http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/ThyroidAndHairLoss.htm
http://www.thyroid.ca/Articles/EngE9B.html
http://www.zrtlab.com/Page.aspx?nid=20
http://symptoms.wrongdiagnosis.com/cosymptoms/reduced-body-hair/thyroid-problems.htm  (+ info)

Does your thyroid gland have to be swollen for you to have a thyroid problem?

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I have all of the symptoms of a thyroid problem except a swollen thyroid gland. So does it sound like I have a thyroid problem or does it sound like a different problem?
No, it does NOT have to be swollen and you should NOT be diagnosed on a thyroid blood panel only! Especially if the doc only blood tests for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). If he/she does then run do not walk from their office. TSH is your body's thermostat which is secreted by your Pituitary Gland.

I learned the hard way from experience and now due to doctor's misconceptions I had to have my thyroid surgically removed. I missed thyroid cancer by a hair width. I will be taking 2 pills 3 times per day for the rest of my life because of doctors solely relying on blood tests. I had a sub-clinical thyroid condition (meaning blood tests within the normal to low normal range) which later resulted in a autoimmune disease thyroid condition. I should have been diagnosed based on symptoms, but it takes a doc with a lot of knowledge to think outside the 4-corners of their medical textbook and guts too. My symptoms began 15 years ago and it took 15 years to hit rock bottom for my disease to surface on blood tests but then it became an autoimmune disease and was TOO LATE. Autoimmune disease is where your immune system turns against you and it begins to attack your body.

Also, I found that specialists such as Endocrinologists were the least informed. I found that they were quick to push mental health drugs treating only the symptoms and not getting to the root of the real problem. Go to the library and SELF-EDUCATE, read all books by patient advocate Mary J. Shomon, Doctors Ridha Ahrem and Steven F. Hotze. Once you learn just how important the thyroid is to your body's well being and how it functions, then you will be able to connect the dots. You know your body better than anyone.

If you can remember one key important fact which is that some/most doctors medicate using the T-4 hormone (a thyroid pro-hormone) only, but a patient's problem could lie with the assimilation of the T-3 hormone (the thyroids active hormone). After T-4 enters cells it must be converted into T-3 which is the active active form of thyroid hormone (active OUTSIDE of your blood stream) it is what effects your mental health (depression), memory, fatigue, body temperature, muscle strength, cholesterol level, weight, hair, skin, nails, etc. A complete hormone panel is key too (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol,melatonin). I prefer hormone testing using saliva over blood, which unfortunately, the majority of insurance plans do not cover. I feel it is money well spent.

Good Luck and Be Well.  (+ info)

Why would a doctor make a teen get a thyroid ultrasound? What thyroid conditions are there?

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The doctor believes that a 17 year old has a lump in her throat.
What could show up in an ultrasound?
What conditions result from thyroid problems?
I recently had an ultrasound. They are looking for what appears to be a "pouch" like skin inside your throat.

It could be serious, like cancer. However, at the age of 17 that is unlikely. They found I have excess mucous building up near the thyroid. Not serious.  (+ info)

What percentage of the time does thyroid removal injury vocal cord nerves?

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I have developed several large & many small nodules on both thyroid glands. The Dr. wants to remove them. What could cause this? What % of the time are they cancerous cells?
I have had my thyroids removed it is about a 50/50 chance. they are so close to the voice box and the cancerous cells could also be higher or lower I had non cancerous ones. It is not a bad surgery and you will feel so much better afterward.  (+ info)

What type of doctor should I see for thyroid evaluation?

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My regular doctor has me on thyroid supplement for normal but low thyroid. My symptoms (normal body temperature but freezing all the time) are not helped. There are supposedly thyroid problems that are not detected by regular blood tests. What type of doctor does the more involved thyroid testing?
endocrinologist  (+ info)

How long should blood work for thyroid problems take to come back?

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I had blood work done about a week ago for a possible thyroid problem. I know that that is a pretty in depth test, they check cholesterol, t3, t4, and TSH, but its coming up on 8 days with no news from the Dr., just seems a little long to me. I asked them to call either way just so I know.
I have had thyroid tests and cholesterol work done. I would say that 12 days or possibly even 14 days would be sufficient time for these tests. Call your Doctor and ask to speak with Dr. or your Dr's nurse. Let them know how long that it has been and that you feel the tests should be back by now and double check to see if they are in? Keep calling them and that will get them rolling.  (+ info)

What are the symptoms of a thyroid diorder in a child age 9?

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My daughter's tyroid seem enlarged and I was curious if she may have an underactive thyroid. She had gained weight in the last year.
And what causes thyroid problems
o poor memory and concentration
o tiredness & fatigue
o depression
o irritability
o weight gain
o muscle weakness and cramps
o intolerance to cold weather
o deteriorating or slowing growth rate
o constipation
o dry, coarse, itchy skin
o brittle hair
o a croaky, hoarse voice
o slow reflexes
o slow heart rate
o delayed as well as precocious sexual development
o high cholesterol levels
o girls may suffer from increased menstrual flow

NB: children and adolescents with under activity of the thyroid may have almost no symptoms or signs other than weight gain or slowing growth.  (+ info)

What is the difference in hypothyroidism and thyroid disease?

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I have hypothyroidism and want to take some sinus medication. It says don't take if you have thyroid disease.
It sounds like hypothyroidism is classified as thyroid disease. I wouldn't take that medicine!  (+ info)

What's the best treatment for thyroid induced high cholesterol in women?

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What's the best treatment for thyroid induced high cholesterol in women? And the best hospitals / centres in India which treat this condition?
ask her to follow this method for one month... she will be better...
holistic healing method..
when the body is having a disease, the patient should not be given a nutritious food... he should be asked to fast for 7 or 10 day... but he can take unlimited fruits(not sweet) and uncooked vegetables... this is also called semi-fasting method...during semi-fasting, the bodies energies will be conserved to fight and throw out the disease...that is why , patients are asked to stop so many negative foods ...all high nutritious foods are negative foods for sick people...

sages consider water and uncooked vegetables as gods...by taking daily ,2 or three coldwater headbaths, you will be incresing your disease... yes, you are correct... by increasing or aggravating the disease, we can throw out the disease...
a person requires so much culture and intelligence, to understand the basic principles of holistic healing ... this is part of yoga and spirituality...this is great indian science...
i am telling you about indian thinking, which the new generation has forgotten or is ignorant of culture...though this is called hindu thinking , these methods are prevalent in china,egypt japan,and east asia...
that is why , i am doing this service to sick people in yahoo and otherwise, to awaken people of their slumber...this is great Hindu method,which does not require any expenditure to cure any type of disease...write [email protected]  (+ info)

What treatments work best for an overactive thyroid - hyperthyroidism?

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My son is 12 and dealing with an overactive thyroid with severe weight loss. He may also be showing small signs of Graves Disease with leg rash/itching. I am meeting with the doctor next week, but I wanted to have some info on treatments before we go. (serious answers only, please!)
What about Beta Blockers?

What kinds of food should he eat?
If he does have it, it would be strange. It usually affects people much older than him. But it's good that you're catching it now, if he does have it. They have different treatments available. I had Grave's in the early 80's and opted to have the gland removed. Now I suffer from hypothyroidism. Which I think is worse in many ways. Regardless of the treatment, you'll have to make sure he is monitored for the hypo after wards. Former President Bush & Barbara Bush had Grave's and they both had the radiation treatment. Both seem to be fine. I wish you luck....

PS Yeah.... one person mentioned Prozac.... And depression is a big part of having hypothyroidism. Make sure he is well disciplned and has a strong work ethic... those two things will help him down the road.  (+ info)

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