“Can thyroid problems cause gray hair?”
I am a 26 year old female and I am starting to get gray hair. Can thyroid problems cause gray hair?
9 Answers
Unlikely. Gray hair at an early age is more genetic
Sreedevi Reddy
Endocrinology, Diabetes
More common association of thyroid problems and premature graying, but not a direct causation.
As far as I know, thyroid disease can cause hair loss, but no change in hair color
NO. Not possible.
Sincerely,
Paul Norwood, M.D. Endocrinology
Sincerely,
Paul Norwood, M.D. Endocrinology
Thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) directly affect hair follicles promoting hair growth and pigmentation. Melanin is the substance that defines hair color and thyroid hormones stimulate its production in the hair follicle. Low levels of circulating thyroid hormones would reduce melanin production and are a likely cause of early graying of hair.
Certain forms of hypothyroidism can be associated with early graying of hair. There is no cause-and-effect relationship; rather, they are parallel phenomena.
No
It should not.
Yes it can and also hair loss. Thyroid hormone stimulates all organs & if deficient those organs including the one that produces hair color will cease to function & gray hair and/or hair loss will result. Gay hair can also be caused by many other causes including your genetics. My mother was a red head but I can hardly remember her as a red head. She became gray when she was in her early 30's as did her father who also had red hair. I started to turn gray in my 40's & was completely gray by age 50. So look at your relatives & see when they went gray. It may be thyroid, genetics or several other causes. Your Dr should be able to tell the cause.
