TLDR People with alopecia areata often have thyroid autoimmunity.
The document reported on a study that found a significant association between thyroid autoimmunity and alopecia areata (AA). The study included 70 patients with AA and a control group of 70 healthy volunteers, with both groups having an average age of around 40 years. Thyroid functional abnormalities were present in 11.43% of AA patients compared to 1.43% in the control group. Additionally, elevated levels of thyroid autoantibodies were significantly more common in AA patients, with 23% showing elevated anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and 30% showing elevated anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies. The highest antibody concentrations were found in patients with alopecia universalis. The study used statistical tests such as Student's t-test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test to determine significance, with a P-value of <0.05 considered significant. The conclusion was that thyroid autoimmunity is strongly associated with AA, indicating the relevance of testing for thyroid autoantibodies in AA patients and the need for further research to understand the pathogenesis of both conditions.
24 citations,
July 2011 in “PubMed” Thyroid hormones affect skin texture, hair and nail growth, and can cause skin diseases related to thyroid problems.
286 citations,
August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.
111 citations,
April 2000 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Thyroid hormone receptor β1 is found in human hair follicles and helps them survive.
89 citations,
October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Alopecia areata is likely caused by a combination of genetic factors and immune system dysfunction, and may represent different diseases with various causes.
24 citations,
June 2018 in “Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders” Thyroid diseases may contribute to autoimmune skin diseases, and more research is needed on their relationship.
September 2023 in “Medical and Clinical Case Reports” People with Alopecia Areata often have thyroid problems like Hashimoto thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.
May 2023 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Thyroid disease can cause skin, hair, and nail problems, and treating the thyroid condition often improves these symptoms.
26 citations,
July 2011 in “PubMed” Treating H. pylori infection might help cure alopecia areata.
3 citations,
November 2021 in “World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics” Vitamin D might help treat some types of hair loss, but more research is needed.
