Hair loss help?

sammyre12

so since I have been on levothyroxine I noticed my hair is thinning out and have noticed hair loss that isn't growing back. I'm trying not to freak out

sammyre12

Is this due to thyroid problems or the medicine?

Fuzzipeg

I fear the fairest answer is, possibly. It seems some people can loose hair in response to starting levo under what ever name one is taking it and that then it can resolve though not everyone is that fortunate. People can also experience problems having taken it for years when it is more difficult to prove a change in uptake. I would expect a doctor and even some endocrinologists, would probably say it is a consequence of a thyroid problem and be non committal at best. Particularly in the UK it is virtually impossible to achieve individual thyroid care, our medical system takes a one size fits all view which it can be hard if not impossible to break through. (I'm much older, been round the block several times and am cynical, sorry).

Reading from "Thyroid mom"'s web site, she is of the opinion mineral deficiencies can be involved as well as the t3 level. "Stop the thyroid madness" would probably have something on this too as will your national thyroid support site. Most of us are only tested for tsh, and t4 even at the outset of evaluation when pituitary, adrenal and other endocrine functions should be discounted, best practice. I expect you already know t3 is the active form of thyroid hormone and it is needed by every cell, it is imperative that there is sufficient t3 for a persons system. Sometimes t3 can fail to convert properly reverse t3, leaving the active t3 compromised. Not every t3 test will reveal this even if you are permitted to have one. Health System problems.

I am so sorry you have fallen into this quagmire where our well intentioned medics are not always able to keep up to date with modern understandings. I hope you are being cared for by someone who is able to put your personal needs first.

sammyre12

Thanks for the info. I don't care to much for my endo but I have a feeling it's due to the medicine--the hair loss that is. I've been hearing about ndt. Have you heard of it? I'm going to ask if he will switch me to that... If not I guess I'll be searching for a new specialist.

shvits

I lost hair when I was on anti thyroid meds. until I had 1/2 of the thyroid removed. Treating T3 AND T4 stabilized it. On Synthroid (brand name) and cytomel (brand name.) Brand name in this instance apparently is a better product

ChelleBelle2708

I've been loosing my hair/thinning since I was diagnosed with over active thyroid. I've since had Total Thyroidectomy and on both thyroxine and T3, and its still just as thin and growing very slowly.

Some ladies on a Facebook thyroid group recommended Mane & Tail Shampoo and Conditioner. It was originally meant for show pony's but its been linked to hair growth and volume. I bought some from Amazon and used for the first time at week. I'm hoping for it to grow so I can start curling it again!

bametels

I've had a whole range of hair issues as my thyroid has been failing. The good news is that after crazy texture issues and some hair loss, now that I seem to be on an appropriate dose of Synthroid my hair is back to its old self!

sammyre12

Thank you for all the input. I'm going to have to try that shampoo chelle hopefully it will work. Synthroid I don't do well on and I'm apparently at the right levels with my levothyroxine but my hair is thinning out fast and I'm getting bald spots

Fuzzipeg

NDT tends to be controversial. Its highly unlikely a conventional endocrinologist will even hear you mentions that abbreviation, NDT. Of those who have achieved t3 and t4 they almost certainly have someone who is out for the best they can achieve for their patient who ever they are. Depending on the cause of the thyroid problem some do best on t3 only. I tentatively suggested t3 to my doctor and heard nothing for months and months. I was making other arrangements when I went back to try again. His brick wall is still standing.

I think you are in the US. STTM has a list of open-minded, put patients first, kind of medics. I don't know if there would be anyone in your area or even at a reasonable distance come to that. If you could find a functional medical practice they are also more open to treating the person as a whole. If that's still no go, a Clinical Nutritionist may be able to help, some are be able to prescribe a dietary supplement which contains NDT. Though NDT is not always the best answer. I was able to order some because I gave the prescribing Clinical Nutritionists name. she may well have put me on a list of her patients, otherwise I would have had to have spoken to someone else to access my "need". This is a very long story cut very short.

It may be possible to find a list of thyroid medications suppliers into your health service through your national thyroid support site. Thyroid UK has such a list for here. I'd looked at the list and had I not been able to see the nutritionist when the doctor told me it was that t4 or nothing, I would have gone that way. On line for one company there seemed to be, a with and without prescription option as well as a free service but this is UK. Where there's a will there is possibly a way. Here in the UK and I think Europe the medics are not permitted to treat low pituitary and adrenal functions. In the US the situation may be different but controlled by insurance companies. Read all the Medical extracts you can find related to your other thyroid symptoms get to know your stuff. (Do as I suggest), take/make copious notes. Many hospitals publish medical research information and things, I go for the ones which do not charge.

I started on the dietary supplement I mentioned in the second week of January. The level is equal to the t4 dose I was taking only with t3. t1 and t2, (I think). Two weeks later I started on Pituitary support as well, at only half dose for 2 weeks then full dose. I'm taking things for dietary/liver support too. (I'd been questioned hard about my symptoms and we had the benefit of recent past blood tests we'd done previously). So not far in I'm doing better. My immediate family are seeing a difference. I'm feeling different but I know how much of me I lost particularly in the last 10/20 years and how far I need to get back. I have a glimmer of hope and a review in a month.

All the very best. Please listen to yourself and do only what you know is right for yourself.