ABSTRACT

Thyroid Hormones Directly Alter Human Hair Follicle Functions: Anagen Prolongation and Stimulation of Both Hair Matrix Keratinocyte Proliferation and Hair Pigmentation - 26 Aug 2008

Nina van Beek1, Eniko Bodó1, Arno Kromminga, Erzsébet Gáspár, Katja Meyer, Michal A. Zmijewski, Andrzej Slominski, Björn E. Wenzel and Ralf Paus

Department of Dermatology (N.v.B., E.B., E.G., K.M., R.P.) and Cell and Immunobiological Laboratory (B.E.W.), Department of Medicine I, University of Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany; Institute for Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Molecular Medicine (A.K.), D-22339 Hamburg, Germany; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for Cancer Research (M.A.Z., A.S.), University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee 38163; Agricultural and Molecular Research Institute (E.B.), College of Nyíregyháza, H-4400 Nyíregyháza, Hungary; and School of Translational Medicine (R.P.), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Ralf Paus, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany. E-mail: ralf.paus@uk-sh.de.

Context:

Both insufficient and excess levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) can result in altered hair/skin structure and function (e.g. effluvium). However, it is still unclear whether T3 and T4 exert any direct effects on human hair follicles (HFs), and if so, how exactly human HFs respond to T3/T4 stimulation.

Objective:

Our objective was to asses the impact of T3/T4 on human HF in vitro.

Methods:

Human anagen HFs were isolated from skin obtained from females undergoing facelift surgery. HFs from euthyroid females between 40 and 69 yr (average, 56 yr) were cultured and treated with T3/T4.

Results:

Studying microdissected, organ-cultured normal human scalp HFs, we show here that T4 up-regulates the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes, whereas their apoptosis is down-regulated by T3 and T4. T4 also prolongs the duration of the hair growth phase (anagen) in vitro, possibly due to the down-regulation of TGF-?2, the key anagen-inhibitory growth factor. Because we show here that human HFs transcribe deiodinase genes (D2 and D3), they may be capable of converting T4 to T3. Intrafollicular immunoreactivity for the recognized thyroid hormone-responsive keratins cytokeratin (CK) 6 and CK14 is significantly modulated by T3 and T4 (CK6 is enhanced, CK14 down-regulated). Both T3 and T4 also significantly stimulate intrafollicular melanin synthesis.

Conclusions:

Thus, we present the first evidence that human HFs are direct targets of thyroid hormones and demonstrate that T3 and/or T4 modulate multiple hair biology parameters, ranging from HF cycling to pigmentation.


Edited: 12/02/2008 at 12:18 PM by chrome

Full 17 Page PDF Study here:

Thyroid hormones directly alter human hair follicle functions: Anagen prolongation, and stimulation of both hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and hair pigmentation - 26 Aug 08

Edited: 12/02/2008 at 12:38 PM by chrome

Beautiful Hair and Skin Require Optimal Thyroid Functioning - 02 Oct 08

(NaturalNews) Whether your hair turns gray and falls out or stays a thick mane of vibrant color is dependent on your body having proper levels of thyroid hormones. New ground breaking research has documented that human hair follicles are direct targets of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 which modulate hair biology parameters from cycling to pigmentation.

The August 26th Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism reports a study to assess the impact of the two central thyroid hormones of the body, T3 and T4 on the human hair follicle. Human hair follicles in their growth phase were obtained from women between the ages of 40 and 69 with adequate thyroid levels. The follicles were cultured and treated with T3 and T4.

The results showed that T4 up-regulates the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes, cells responsible for growth, and a combination of T3 and T4 down-regulate programmed cell death. T4 was also shown to prolong the growth phase, possibly due to the down-regulation of a key inhibiting growth factor. Both T3 and T4 significantly stimulated the synthesis of melanin in the follicle. Melanin is what gives pigment or color to the hair.

Empirical evidence has already led to the belief that hair loss is the result of decreased metabolism in the scale follicles of people with low levels of thyroid hormone, resulting in early release of the hair shaft and root. Hair that is brittle, has split ends and breaks has been observed to correlate with low thyroid levels. Many physicians and dermatologists diagnose low thyroid based solely on early graying of the hair and the loss of hairs from the outer ends of the eyebrows.

Thyroid problems can develop at any age and usually appear so slowly that they go unnoticed. At least 27 million Americans are estimated to have an undiagnosed thyroid problem, and most of them are females.

The thyroid is the master gland of metabolism. When it is not functioning properly it can affect every aspect of your health, particularly weight, mental outlook, body temperature and energy levels. The thickness and quality of your skin is also dependent on thyroid function. Under active thyroid, called hypothyroidism, is the most common thyroid condition, affecting as many as one in five women at some point in their lives.

Untreated hypothyroidism dramatically increases your risk of serious health concerns and degenerative diseases. Another symptom of hypothyroidism is weak heart beat. When your heart beat is not as strong as it should be, the amount of oxygen getting to your cells is reduced. This is the kind of environment in which cancer grows.

Along with the loss of hair and its color, symptoms of hypothyroidism include difficulty losing weight, weight changes, and muscle and joint pain. Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome is associated with hyperthyroidism. Depression and anxiety, including sudden panic attacks, can be symptoms of thyroid problems. Feeling overly warm or cold when everybody else in the room is comfortable also suggests thyroid malfunction, as does excessive fatigue. If you are tired when you get up after a good night's sleep, or need a nap or two to get through the day, you probably have a thyroid problem.

Think about how the wisdom of the body operates. When your thyroid is not functioning up to par, the body will attempt to conserve energy by redirecting it from nonessential areas, and directing efforts at repair and regeneration to those functions considered more essential. This is why the beauty of your hair and skin are among the first to go then your thyroid starts to give out. And when the thyroid function is low, intestinal absorption and utilization of nutrients is compromised. There are then not enough raw building materials available to keep the nonessential parts of you at their best.

What can be done to restore your beautiful locks?

To get your full head of hair back and halt the graying, you must restore your level of thyroid functioning to what it was when your hair was plentiful and colorful. This is not always an easy task.

Most traditional physicians are reluctant to consider thyroid functioning at all. When they do, the standard of care for people with symptoms of low thyroid is to be checked with a thyroid hormone stimulating test (TSH). The thinking is that a low score on the TSH means your body isn't trying to simulate thyroid production so therefore thyroid production must be OK. A high score on the TSH means your thyroid is not functioning well and that's why your body is trying to stimulate it. Needless to say, this approach misses a lot. The best way to see what your thyroid is really up to is to have blood testing of TSH, T3 and T4.

If your traditional doctor decides your thyroid function is low, he will probably prescribe a synthetic drug. Levothyroxine, the synthetic form of T4, is the most commonly prescribed, either generically or under the brand names of Synthroid and Levoxyl. He may also add Liothyronine, the synthetic form of T3 (brand name is Cytomel). Some doctors do not prescribe synthetic T3 because there is evidence that the body can convert T4 into T3. But this assumption means your body must be up to the conversion process, and many times it is not. There is also a synthetic T4/T3 combination that is branded as Thyrolar.

All of these are patented drugs and are substances that do not occur in nature. They will be recognized by your body as foreign, and your body will build resistance to them so that in time they will become ineffective. These chemicals must be detoxified by your liver. They have side effects.

If you are lucky enough to have a naturopath or physician that practices holistic medicine, you will get the natural thyroid replacement, derived from pigs. The pig thyroid hormone is bio-identical to the human thyroid hormone and contains both T3 and T4. The most popular brand of natural thyroid is Armour thyroid. Since this will be recognized by your body as a natural substance, you will not build resistance to it, and there are no undesirable side effects. There are some physicians who have gone into the hormone balancing business who will be willing to treat you with this natural hormone. If all you have is a traditional doctor, you can try being assertive and firm, making it clear that you will only accept natural substances into your body.

It may take a series of baby steps to get your thyroid level adjusted to where it should ideally be. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe a dose that will bring your levels of T3 and T4 back to levels considered prime. Many use tests that compare you to others your age. If you are 40, your level will be compared to the 40 year old population which includes many people with underperforming thyroids. So you will have to make it clear that you want to be supplemented to the ideal level. Once your thyroid hormone levels are stabilized in an ideal range, your hair loss or graying will eventually slow down and finally stop, and you will probably have a lot more energy.

Understanding hair loss

There are three common types of hear loss. General shedding occurs throughout the head. You notice more hair in drains, hair brushes, and on the bathroom floor. This is the most common form of hair loss typically found in people with hypothyroidism and also those with hyperthyroidism.

The second type of hair loss involves circular patches of hair loss, or complete hair loss resulting from many such small patches. This is usually the result of a fungal infection or autoimmune alopecia, and is not particularly associated with thyroid problems.

The third type is male pattern hair loss, and although men are the most susceptible, women get it too. It is concentrated on the temples and top of the head, and is caused by the enzymatic conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This conversion makes hair follicles shrink up and disappear. If you have been receiving thyroid treatment and your hair loss continues, this conversion is the most likely reason. It is easily remedied by taking Saw Palmetto, an herb sold in health food stores and by online health retailers.

Men with hairy bodies but little hair on their heads are usually converting much of their testosterone to DHT. This conversion may also put them at risk for prostate problems including prostate cancer.

Other alternative treatments

A recent study at Portsmouth University found that 90 percent of women with thinning hair were deficient in iron and the amino acid lysine, although this does not imply a causal relationship. Fish, meat and eggs are the only dietary sources of lysine. A vitamin, mineral and fatty acid supplementation program may also be helpful.

Sources:

J. Margesson MD, "Thyroid Disease of the Skin" Thyroid Foundation of Canada

Mary Shoman, "Ten Things You Can Do To Stop Hair Loss With Thyroid Disease" (www.thyroid-info.com)

Mary Shoman, "Ask the Experts" (www.thyroid-info.com)

Edited: 12/02/2008 at 11:48 AM by chrome

Topical triiodothyronine stimulates epidermal proliferation, dermal thickening, and hair growth in mice and rats - (Aug 2001).

Thyroid. 2001 Aug;11(8):717-24.

Topical triiodothyronine stimulates epidermal proliferation, dermal thickening, and hair growth in mice and rats.

Safer JD, Fraser LM, Ray S, Holick MF.

Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118, USA. jsafer@bu.edu

The skin is a classic target tissue for thyroid hormone action. Although the histology of skin in hypothyroid states is well documented, the literature contains little assessment of skin in thyrotoxic states.

In light of the paucity of information on skin under the influence of excess thyroid hormone, we investigated the direct effect of thyroid hormone on skin. Triiodothyronine (T3) was applied topically daily in liposomes to SKH-1 hairless mice for 7 days and to CD rats for 2 weeks.

There was a dose-dependent increase in epidermal proliferation, dermal thickening, and hair growth in T3-treated animals. Mice that received 3.8 microg of T3 had 42% more hairs per millimeter than controls (p < 0.01), hair length that was 1,180% longer (p < 0.001), 49% greater epidermal 3H-thymidine incorporation (p < 0.01), and 80% more 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) stained cells (p < 0.05). Rats receiving 12.8 microg T3 had 48% greater dermal thickness than controls (p < 0.001), 26% greater epidermal thickness (p < 0.001), 85% more hairs per millimeter (p < 0.005), and 130% greater 3H-thymidine incorporation into the epidermis (p < 0.01).

Thus, topically applied thyroid hormone has dramatic effects on both skin and hair growth. These observations offer a new strategy for developing thyroid hormone and its analogues for treating disorders of skin and hair growth.

Publication Types:

* Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't


PMID: 11525263 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Edited: 12/02/2008 at 12:04 PM by chrome

Can you translate that to a human interpretable form?

Wilsons Temperature Syndrome website
A website that claims to helpd diagnose & fix T3/T4 problems, even when your Thyroid tests come back "NORMAL".

+

The Thyroid Guide to Hair Loss



Edited: 12/02/2008 at 12:24 PM by chrome

So assuming a thyroid test does come back "normal", how does one regulate it then? Seems if it comes back normal no doctor would write a Rx. So is there something that helps with it?

I was looking up thyroid regulation and one of the first things that came up was selenium. But of course, the warning being taking too much will *cause* hairloss, brittle nails, etc. We can't win.

DownHill

MPB hairloss and THYROID hairloss are totaly different.

MPB hairloss affects temples/crown while leaving the back & sides pretty thick (as genetically different hair).

THYROID hairloss, being a metabolic problem, affects all the follicles on the head and causes thinning/dry/brittle hair on the top AND back & sides.

In my case for example, i have MPB AND sub-clinical Hypothyroidism, leading to thinning at the back & sides as well.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the explanation. I took it to mean that people who tested "normal" for thyroid could still have a thyroid problem of which they are not aware, thus may still be contributing to MPB.

"Oh, I see. Thanks for the explanation. I took it to mean that people who tested "normal" for thyroid could still have a thyroid problem of which they are not aware, thus may still be contributing to MPB."

Yes..and No !

People who test "normal" may still have a thyroid problem.

Also, HypoThyroid (low thyroid) can also lead to high Cholosterol. Testosterone (hence DHT) is formed from Cholesterol. therefore low Thyroid function can, theoretically, speed up MPB via this mechanism in some people (increased Cholesterol= more Testosterone/DHT). So although entirely different, its theoretically possible that Low Thyroid function can speed up MPB indirectly.

Thyroid Regulation - 20 Apr 2006
"Subclinical hypothyroidism is estimated to occur in a significant percentage of the adult American population (Hollowell JG et al 2002). One side effect of thyroid deficiency is high cholesterol. It is very possible that many people are being prescribed cholesterol-lowering statin drugs while their underlying problem - low thyroid function - goes unaddressed."

This may also be one of the reasons some people experience hairloss while using Protein shakes while others do not. For example, Myoplex Deluxe (body building protein powder) contains 35mg Cholesterol to convert to Testosterone and help build muscle. More Cholesterol = more Testosterone = more DHT = more hairloss.
Wheras other Protein drinks which do not have any Testosterone precursors such as Cholesterol et al do not cause this problem. If you are experiencing hairloss while using a "Protein shake" it might be an idea to check that ONLY protein is being used and it doesn't contain any other Testosterone pre-cursors.

It may also explain the link between hairloss and heart disease found by Harvard . They are not sure of the exact reason but suggest it could be due to increased Testosterone due to "abnormal cholesterol" levels. See Male Baldness Linked To Higher Incidence of Heart Disease

Most Doctors just send you off for a TSH test and base their diagnosis on just that. Others realise that it means jack-shit without T3/T4 test as well. Some Doctors also believe this isn't very good either as its a blood test and doesn't show how much is actually being used by the tissues.

The only real way of knowing you have a Thyroid problem to begin with is to carry out the Barnes Basel Test which accurately measures your temperature on waking. I did, thats how i knew i had a problem and went to the Doc armed with this info.

See LEF article for good Thyroid info:
Thyroid Regulation

Barnes Basal Test:
The Barnes Basal Temperature Method

The above is perhaps a ittle simplistic as the Endocrine sysytem is so complicated and interconnected. For example, high Estradiol can also play havoc with your Thyroid and cause HypoThyroidism,possibly leading to high Cholosterol thus high Testosterone and high DHT.

Edited: 12/02/2008 at 07:28 PM by chrome

Br J Dermatol. 2000 Apr;142(4):645-52. Related Articles, Links


Comment in:
Br J Dermatol. 2000 Apr;142(4):633-4.

Thyroid hormone receptor beta1 is expressed in the human hair follicle.

Billoni N, Buan B, Gautier B, Gaillard O, Mahe YF, Bernard BA.

Life Sciences, L'OREAL Advanced Research Laboratories, L'OREAL Hair Biology Group, 90 rue du general Roguet, 92583 Clichy cedex, France.

To understand better the mechanisms by which thyroid hormone can exert its effects on the hair follicle, we looked for the expression of members of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) family in human hair follicles. Immunoreactive TRs were detected in both dermal and epithelial compartments of the human pilosebaceous unit. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we established that TRbeta1 was the predominant form of TR expressed in the human hair follicle. In addition, we investigated the effects of 3,3', 5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) on the survival of human hair follicles in vitro, to understand the role of this thyroid hormone on hair follicle homeostasis. A physiological level of free T3 significantly enhanced human hair survival in vitro.

Z Hautkr. 1990 Dec;65(12):1120-2. Related Articles, Links


[Proliferation kinetics of human anagen hair in hyper- and hypothyroidism: DNA flow cytometry studies]

[Article in German]

Kiesewetter F, Schell H, Seidel C.

Dermatologische Universitats-Hautklinik Erlangen.

Disorders of the thyroid function and abnormalities of the scalp hair growth are frequently associated. Former studies were based on clinical findings and trichorhizogram evaluation. Our present study making use of DNA-flow cytometry demonstrates the influence of thyroid hormones on the proliferative activity of anagen hair bulbs in patients suffering from disorders of the thyroid function. In comparison with a healthy control group (n = 20), the mean proliferative activity (S- and G2+M-%) was found 15% lower in hypothyroid patients (n = 6), whereas in hyperthyroidism (n = 6) we observed an increase of the corresponding values of about 30%. Our data might suggest a direct correlation between S-phase percentages and plasma T3 levels, but this assumption could not be proved by statistical methods.

chrome i know you bring alot of usefull information on this site but sometimes they can be very misleading and can lead people into start thyroid drugs like in this case.

MPB is different than loosing hair from a thyroid condition. People should not experiment with t4 or t3...these things need a doctors supervision to adjust the dose to the optimal stage.Your thyroid is your balance and if there is nothing wrong with it dont play around with it.

You wont gain any hair from thyroid drugs if your condition is MPB which way more often than not is for men

Good post.

I have been on thryoid meds for a year now and have made some noticeable improvement along with homemade laser therapy. After arguing with my Endo on whether I needed T3 supplementation as well or not, I tried switching Armour treatment and went on Synthroid T4 and surprisingly did even better....stable mood, steady weight and healthy appetite, less shedding and improved hair. I'm *told from my Endo that T3 is mostly needed only when your thyroid gland is actually removed and has a problem converting T4 to T3. I was only subclinical (TSH ~3.6) but had all the symptoms along with enlargement on the sonogram...






-------------------------
40yr old dude...diffuse NW2
AM: Rogaine foam after shower, Tricomin or Prox N
Supps: Biotin 5mg, Lovaza DPA/DHA 3 gm, B-C Vitamin complex
Night: Minox foam or Prox N
Shampoos: NANO, daily Pantene, Nizoral 1% (w/EMU drops) rotation

**No, I don't need a another Finasteride graph to laugh at...

There's nothing misleading about Chrome's posts. It is supplemental information and if someone's not smart enough to analyze it and see if it relates to their specific hair issues...and then proceeds to experiment with thyroid hormones, then I think you'd agree that person is an idiot. There's not one single cause or contributing factor to hair loss for everyone. As someone who has been diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia AND hypothyroidism...this is good helpful stuff. Inflammation, demodex, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, DHT, blah blah blah...there are too many factors to to just concentrate on DHT and the big 3. If the big 3 worked for everyone, this board wouldn't exist. There's obviously more to the puzzle for some of us. I stopped reading this board months ago because if it wasn't minox/nizoral/propecia everybody here screams bullsh*t. Let's keep an open mind. They don't work for everyone and that's why we spend ungodly amounts of time on internet looking for the holy grail. And the constant bashing of anyone who brings up anything that's not big 3 related gets old really fast. Chrome finds interesting, scientic studies with different POVs on the problem. Then gets crap for posting "misleading/unrealistic expectation-inducing posts". He's not claiming this is the cure..just offering up a new idea on the subject. I remember not too long ago when everyone was begging him to come back after a particularly harsh round of abuse about one of his posts. This forum's title is HAIR LOSS OPEN TOPIC. Not MPB ONLY. If anyone's stupid enough to start experimenting with thyroid hormones without getting a diagnosis of thyroid malfunction..then they're getting what they deserve. My take from looking at posts is... maybe you should consider thyroid testing if you're experiencing hair loss and the big 3 isn't working for you. Sorry if I sound like a dick...but comments like that shut down dialogue...as if DHT is the ONLY reason anyone's hair ever falls out. And that is just not the case. BTW... hypothyroidism accelerates the conversion of testosterone to DHT. The endocrine system is intrinsically linked and when one hormone's out of balance, it affects them all. So someone with thyroid problems can slow their MPB with proper treatment. It's not either/or.

Edited: 12/02/2008 at 07:36 PM by worriedwoman

wow..interesting stuff.....should i get my thyroid checked if I am losing hair all over my head??? i have regular receding hairline but even my sides and back has all gotten thin....i dont have the big circle in the crown like most people..its just all thin everywhere.

Well...there were paragraph breaks before I edited the post. Don't know what happened, but sorry for the big chunk of text.

-------------------------------------------------

Couldn't agree with you more about the need to see a DOCTOR . Thats why i said this 2 posts above yours:

"The only real way of knowing you have a Thyroid problem to begin with is to carry out the Barnes Basel Test which accurately measures your temperature on waking. I did, thats how i knew i had a problem and went to the Doc armed with this info."

I was NOT misleading anyone. I made it quite clear.

In other words i used the Barnes Basal Test first to gather info to see if my body temp. was low (it was) and then used this when i went to see the DOCTOR in order to get a proper diagnosis...which i got...SUB-CLINICAL HYPOTHYROID.

So i'll repeat as its so important......Do a Barnes Basal Test first to see if you have low/high body temp and SEE A DOCTOR before messing about with your Thyroid in any way.

Cheers, Chrome

also i wanted to add that i have a few gray hairs scattered all over my head particulary on the sides....could thyroid play a role in that ?? .im 28