Shaun Ryder health: Happy Monday frontman’s medical condition that made him lose his hair

Shaun Ryder notoriously partied hard during his time with rock band Happy Mondays. But, growing older – as everybody does – he encountered a few health conditions.

The 57-year-old has an underactive thyroid – medically known as hypothyroidism.

It occurs when the thyroid gland, located in the neck, doesn’t produce enough hormones.

The NHS confirm that common symptoms of the condition include tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.

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It’s caused when the immune system attacks the butterfly-shaped thyroids.

To help manage his underactive thyroid, Shaun had been taking testosterone injections.

And, in recent years, he told Sky News that he lost his hair.

“Everything – eyebrows, pubic hair, everything,” he said.

After appearing on TV show Googlebox, fronting his new baldness to viewers late last year, fans were concerned.

One Tweeted: “Watching #gogglebox and wondering what’s with Shaun Ryder. He looks very unwell.”

In response, the father-of-one said on Good Morning Britain: “I’ve just had a new hip, and at the same time all my body hair decides to fall out.

“No eyelashes, no fingernails, no head, no hair whatsoever.”

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Explaining what may have caused the alopecia (abnormal hair loss), he continued: “Because I have an underactive thyroid, they thought it might have been linked to that or the fact I don’t produce testosterone anymore.”

But doctors weren’t convinced. Shaun added: “They said it might be stress related.

“But I’m the least stressed I’ve ever been in my life, so they’ve got a lot more experimenting on me to find out.”

What is alopecia?

Alopecia UK recognises different types of hair loss.

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Alopecia Areata (AA) is understood to be an autoimmune condition.

It’s when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

The condition typically starts as one or more, small bald patches on the scalp.

It can continue to be patchy or can continue until all hair is lost, including from the body.

The hair loss isn’t permanent though, as the hair follicles aren’t destroyed.

But, if the condition has developed all over the body – including the eyebrows – the chances of full regrowth greatly diminishes.

There’s no cure for the condition, and treatment is limited.

Genetics are thought to play a role in the development of the condition.

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