Ask the expert: help – my hair is falling out!

I am a 49-year-old woman and have been taking medication for hypothyroidism for the past seven years. Since being diagnosed, my hair has become very dry and falls out. Over the past three months, it’s been coming out in clumps even though a blood test showed my thyroid levels to be under control.

Ayurveda treatment for thyroid disease is holistic and supportive, and aims to correct the dosha (life energy) imbalance that has led to the flawed function of the thyroid gland. Although Ayurveda classifies thyroid diseases as being within the group of incurable diseases, there are many medicines and treatments with which thyroid problems can be managed effectively. These include herbal medicines principally for dosha balance and to some extent specifically to promote thyroid function. Ayurveda also offers dietary guidance and lifestyle recommendations. Some herbs have been found to be beneficial in treating this condition.

Since your blood test shows normal thyroid levels, I think issues like extreme dryness and hair loss are not related to hypothyroidism, and could be due to other causes, which would require a personal consultation to diagnose.

Ayurveda treatment for hypothyroidism should only be taken under the supervision of an experienced Ayurveda physician and needs constant guidance and monitoring.