Eyebrow loss is a recognised feature of hypothyroidism. Learn why it happens, what the Queen Anne sign means, and how...
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Eyebrow and eyelash thinning is a common but rarely discussed consequence of thyroid disease, particularly in women with hypothyroidism. Many people find that hair changes persist even after their thyroid levels have been stabilised with treatment, which can lead to understandable frustration and loss of confidence.
This guide brings together clinical understanding, real world experience and evidence based options to help you understand why eyelashes and eyebrows are affected by thyroid disease. It then discusses what can realistically be done to support regrowth once the underlying condition is under control.
Thyroid hormones play a role in regulating the hair growth cycle. They influence how actively hair follicles function, how long hairs remain in the growth (anagen) phase, and both of these roles contribute to the resulting strength and size of the hair that is produced.
When thyroid hormone levels are not normal the hair follicles can prematurely move into the resting (telogen) phase of their cycle. This is commonly seen with low thyroid levels but other thyroid problems can cause this too. Over time, this disruption may lead to:
Although hypothyroidism is the most frequent cause, similar lash and brow changes can also occur in hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, and other thyroid disorders. Unfortunately it can also occur when medications are changed, such as an increase or decrease in your thyroxine dose.
Yes. In most cases eyelashes and eyebrows that have been affected by thyroid disease will recover, but not always fully or quickly.
Once your thyroid hormone levels have been stabilised with appropriate medical treatment such as thyroxine, scalp hair often shows improvement first. If you have found that the hair on your head has become dry, brittle or straw like then it often recovers within 6 months of treatment as your hormone levels stabilise.
Eyelashes and eyebrows commonly lag behind scalp recovery by several months and some people find that regrowth remains incomplete or cosmetically unsatisfactory even when blood tests have returned to a good level.
This delayed recovery reflects the short but highly specialised growth cycle of lashes and brows, which makes them particularly sensitive to prior hormonal disruption. The structure of eyelashes and eyebrows are different to scalp hairs which also plays a role. The daily application and removal of mascara can disrupt the health of the hairs, and over enthusiastic eyebrow plucking can leave a legacy of weaker brow follicles. If you had overplucked your brows in the past then this may result in more serious thinning of the brows if you develop thyroid dysfunction.
It is important to be clear: no cosmetic treatment can replace proper thyroid management.
Before considering any form of lash or brow regrowth support, thyroid function should be medically assessed and treatment stabilised. This is most commonly with levothyroxine for cases of hypothyroidism, but there are many treatment options to treat the various forms of thyroid disease. Large or ongoing fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels will continue to disrupt the hair cycle and undermine any cosmetic intervention, so it is important to reach a stable position before beginning.
Only once the underlying condition is well controlled does it make sense to support cosmetic regrowth of eyelashes and eyebrows. Not only will you will feel better, but the results will also be more significant.
The active ingredient in our growth treatment is called bimatoprost and we have used this successfully to help many client’s regrow their eyelashes and eyebrows that have been damaged by thyroid problems. In America the treatment often goes by the brand name Latisse.
Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analogue originally developed for ophthalmic use. Prostaglandins are a signalling molecule used in the body to regulate cycles. During clinical use, it was observed to prolong the active growth phase of the eyelash and eyebrow growth cycle, resulting in longer, thicker, and darker lashes. Subsequent safety studies by the American FDA and other demonstrated that it can be safely and effectively used for eyelash and eyebrow growth.
Because its mechanism of action is independent of thyroid hormones, bimatoprost may be considered as a useful option once thyroid disease has been stabilised, rather than as a treatment for the thyroid condition itself.
The treatment comes in an eyedrop style bottle and you are provided with our unique precision applicator.
The brush is moistened then you then apply the liquid along the lash line at the base of the eyelashes, then on the brow area where you would like to stimulate growth.
Everything is included with your order, including detailed instructions to help maximise successful growth of your eyebrows and eyelashes.
There are currently no large clinical trials specifically examining thyroid related eyelash or eyebrow loss. However, bimatoprost has been shown in multiple studies to improve eyelash growth in people with a range of causes, and controlled studies have demonstrated eyebrow regrowth in similar contexts.
Clinical experience suggests that follicles affected by hormonal disruption often remain viable and responsive once systemic balance has been restored. For this reason, bimatoprost is widely regarded as a cosmetic regrowth support.
Our own experience over the years has shown a lot of success in these cases. We have helped many people with thyroid problems to regrow their eyebrows and reverse thinning of eyelashes.
Regrowth should always be approached with realistic expectations. Improvements are gradual and are typically assessed over three to six months. We have found that a realistic aim is the restoration towards your pre-thyroid baseline, but continued thyroid stability is essential for maintaining results.
For many people, even modest improvement in lash and brow appearance provides a significant psychological benefit, helping them feel more like themselves again if they have had thinned eyebrows and eyelashes. We have helped many clients return their eyebrows and eyelashes to their pre-thyroid problem levels.
We regularly support:
Opti Laboratories are a team of British doctors who are dedicated to providing the best, most effective solutions for eyelash and eyebrow growth. Every client is reviewed to ensure and reassure you that you are suitable for our treatment.
“We’ve been helping clients since 2007. Our decades of experience means and ongoing scientific research means we can provide you with the best advice and products”
Dr Tom Walker
Our team has decades of experience but we still continue to advance our knowledge and grow as a company. We carry out experiments for new therapies and treatments, we develop our own custom formulations and design new products.
The pictures that you see of our products are taken in photoshoots that we arrange and run ourselves in London. We use real clients – some that have been using our products for over 10 years – to show the real results that you can achieve.
We regularly review the scientific and medical literature to keep up with the latest developments, and we publish scientific papers with our own findings. Here are some of our latest articles that relate to thyroid problems:
Eyebrow loss is a recognised feature of hypothyroidism. Learn why it happens, what the Queen Anne sign means, and how...
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We answer questions about common thyroid medications and hair loss, eyelash and eyebrow loss in particular.
Our clinically proven, prescription strength growth treatment has been our gold standard treatment since we started in 2007.
Trusted by over 15,000 clients.
Each pack includes the treatment and the applicators, which lasts most people three months with careful usage.
Yes. Thyroid hormone imbalance, particularly hypothyroidism, can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to thinning or loss of eyebrows and eyelashes.
Often they will, but regrowth may be slow or incomplete. Eyelashes and eyebrows commonly lag behind scalp hair recovery.
Bimatoprost is generally considered after thyroid disease has been stabilised. It does not treat the thyroid condition itself but may support cosmetic regrowth.
No. Hypothyroidism requires medical management. Bimatoprost is a cosmetic regrowth support only.
Visible improvement is typically assessed over 8–16 weeks, with fuller results over several months, depending on individual response.
