Eye brows: Why are they disappearing?

Over recent years, my eyebrows have thinned to almost nothing. I think it started after I had my second baby, eight years ago I'm now in my forties. On the net, all that comes up is thyroid problems and I don't have any other symptoms, though my thyroid was tested after that baby, as I lost a lot of weight and my periods took 18 months to return. I have to draw in my eyebrows to look normal. What is causing this? And will they ever come back?

Dr Fred Kavalier answers your health question:

Hormonal problems are top of the list of causes of hair loss in women. An underactive thyroid is more likely than an overactive thyroid. So the first thing I would suggest is another thyroid-function test at your GP. Eight years is a long time, and just because your thyroid was working well eight years ago doesn't mean it is still OK. There is a long list of drugs that can interfere with hair growth, so if you are taking anything at all, you should read the small print carefully. Another possible problem is seborrhoeic dermatitis. This causes dandruff, together with oily, flaky skin and itchiness, which can cause hair loss. If you don't get a solution from any of these routes, I would give yourself a six-month trial of vitamin and mineral supplements poor hair growth is sometimes sensitive to deficiencies. You could also try massaging the brow area with regular-strength minoxidil lotion, used to treat male baldness. But you might end up with bushy eyebrows, so beware.

Please mail your questions for Dr Fred to health@independent.co.uk. He regrets that he is unable to respond personally to questions.