Which Hormones are Responsible for Hair Loss?

22 October, 2018 | Hair Loss | Author : Shveta Virmani

Hormones are the chemical substances which act as a messenger in the endocrine system. They are used by the body to manage various cells and organs, and perform several functions including regulating diverse biological activities such as growth, development, metabolism, and reproduction

The hormone levels fluctuate at different phases of a human life and this irregularity causes physical and mental changes in the body which can contribute to hair loss. Some of the hormones which are responsible for hair loss include:

Testosterone

Testosterone is the male hormone which is associated with hair growth, but it also plays a major role in triggering hair loss. When testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the enzyme 5AR, hair shedding occurs. The conversion happens when there are high levels of free testosterone and DHT interrupts the normal functioning of the hair follicles. As a result, the follicles may fail to take up oxygen and nutrients from the blood and the hair begins to starve, becoming brittle and then eventually falling off. This condition is known as pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia and it can affect both men and women.

Cortisol

Cortisol is one of the stress hormones which is associated with hair loss. When you’re stressed, your body produces higher or lower levels of cortisol than normal. This imbalance prevents the body from producing other hormones, such as testosterone, which in turn affects the hair growth cycle.

Estrogen & Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone are female hormones which impact the hair cycle at different stages in a women’s life. During pregnancy, the levels of these hormones increase rapidly causing a boost in hair growth. After birth, the levels of these hormones drop leading to a condition called female pattern hair loss. Fortunately, there are many top hair transplant clinics in India where you can go for female pattern hair loss treatment.

Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine are hormones secreted into the blood by the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is not able to produce adequate hormones, it can lead to various symptoms including hair loss. Thyroid treatment includes medication, which is also known to aggravate the hair loss problem. Though the medication for thyroid treatment can cause hair loss, it is important for people to continue their course of medication until the doctor advise them to stop.

With ever-changing hormone levels, your hair keeps on facing different challenges. Luckily, you can undergo the best hair transplant in India to get permanent relief from your hair loss problem.