Hair loss linked to iodine deficiency?

There are several reasons for hair loss, balding or hairfall. But there are cases where iodine also plays an important role in the thinning of hair. Dr. Ravindra Gupta of Internal Medicine from Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon explains how iodine deficiency can cause hair loss.

There are several causes of iodine deficiency:

Alopecia areata
Androgenetic alopecia
Trichotillomania
Hormonal imbalances
Post-pregnancy and menopause
Anaemia
Stress
Crash dieting
Personal care of hair like use of shampoo, oil, lack of massage, brushing wet hair, etc.

However, lack of iodine also results in hair loss. Dr. Ravindra Gupta explains how iodine deficiency is linked to hair loss, "As we all are familiar that iodine deficiency leads to hypothyroidism and goitre. But hypothyroidism leads to thinning of hairs by unknown mechanism. So, iodine deficiency causes hair loss due to deficiency of thyroid hormones."

Balding or hair loss is a symptom of thyroid imbalance accompanied by other hypothyroid symptoms like fatigue, depression, weight gain, dry skin, muscle cramps, aches, swelling of the legs, and excessive sleepiness.

Instead of increasing salt intake, consult your doctor before changing your diet.

Rich sources of iodine in food:

1. Baked potato with skin
2. Milk
3. Prawns
4. Boiled eggs
5. Baked turkey breast
6. Cod fish

It is recommended that adult males and female should consume approximately 150 mcg of iodine per day.