Other Conditions > Men's Health

Hair Loss

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JC:
Hi Guys,

I’m new on here because imp fed up of talking to people who just nod and then say no that’s not the case...mainly doctors!

When I was 26 I had a general check up after complaining of feeling run down and cold, it turned out that I have an under active thyroid. No great shock as my dad does and he had said the chances are I’ll have it too. So I got prescribed 25mgs, then 50mgs and so on to the point where I was on 125mgs. I have to say it does not make me feel much different but imp not sure what I was expecting, id say feel the cold less, but I think it’s in my DNA to like my sleep.

The one thing that did seem to happen almost from the first week was that my hair began to shed, I use the word shed because it does not to be one area that is affected like in male pattern baldness. I went back to the doctor who said it was because I was on too low an amount, although I pointed out it was fine 6 months ago. So up to 50 then 75 I went, until I went in and said that I read that thyroxin has a side effect which is hair loss. The doctor said no it doesn't it’s because you are stressed and worrying won't help, he then sent me to a specialist who told me I should go travelling and enjoy my life! He also said to increase the amount I took at my own leisure.

I have thought about stopping taking Thyroxin but know that the long term damage is not worth it, so I tried taking more as my specialist said I could. I am up to 200mgs and feel no different from when I was on 25mgs. Its just confusing me and as I approach my 30th I am starting to notice my hair is very thin.

I would be grateful if anyone has any advice or has been through the same, I know it’s not the end of the world and there are people much worse off than me, but just a glimmer of hope is all I am after.

Cheers

JC

mroptimistic:
Hey there, as one of the few males here I can tell you I have had problems with my hair as well which is fully thyroid related and not mpb because of the way the hair is falling out and thinning. The thinnin gof hair on the scalp is a symptom of the hypo while the hair shedding can be a combination of your condition and the side-effect of the thyroid meds (mainly the meds). It's best you tell your doctor about your symptoms of hair loss/thinning still being present along with other things such as the fact you still don't feel well.

Some people it seems do better on armour thyroid meeds which is a combination of thyroxine and t3 hormone.

Hang in there mate, you're not alone. I recommend you talk to your GP about t3 as a  possible treatment and see what he says. A lot of people here, have begun to take control of their condition after years of letting it eat away at them so I would make sure your read up on this forum about t3 hormone and armour which you should find easily.

CathyT:
Hi JC

Welcome to the mad house!  I'm one of the (MANY) girlies on here but have real hair loss problems too so I know a bit about it. 

I've got pretty bad bald patches but also general thinning all over.  I've shed my long hair so much that it's now getting short without being cut!  If hypothyroidism is on the rise as much they say, hair salons should sure be getting nervous, eh?

Hair loss is definitely a side effect of Levothyroxine - it says so in the manufacturer's leaflet inside the packet!  I definitely lost more hair when my initial 25mcg dose was stepped up to 50mcg.  I know when it's happening cos I can feel my scalp tingling in those areas.  My front hairline started to recede pretty badly at that time (lost my fringe!)  It did ease off a bit after a few weeks on the new dose though so I'd say persevere if you can. 

However, hair loss is also caused by various other deficiencies, including Vit B12 and Vit D deficiency (all of which are common with thyroid troubles).  Get your doc to check these levels if he/she hasn't already.  Several people on here say they lose hair when B12 isn't at an optimal level, even though technically not deficient according to UK reference ranges. 

I've had quite a bit of new hair growth since starting on B12 supplements though I'm still losing it too.  Someone on here posted a helpful link to a BBC TV prog on the topic of B12 deficiency (It's on youtube or google for Inside Out Vit B12).  In that they show a young woman who went totally bald due to low B12 (but still about minimum range) and grew back full hair with treatment.

I also read a medical paper recently on tests on mice in which they blocked their Vit D abilities and the mice went bald.  Hair grew back quickly when it was reversed.  Can't find the link for that either now but I was just googling for "Vit D and hair loss".

Check out the hair loss part of the forum, there's lots of interesting stuff on there.

Re your thyroid treatment, I'm not one of the experts on here but ... is your doc/specialist monitoring your levels whilst you increase dose?  Seems to me that you're now on a pretty substantial dose and should surely be feeling benefits by now... unless there's something else going on, such as not absorbing/converting properly.  They should be checking your TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 to ensure that your body can make use of the medication in its active form.

If you've had any of those tests done, get hold of your results (with reference ranges) and post them on here if you want someone to help make sense of them.  The others are very knowledgeable and soooo helpful!

Also, be sure to take your thyroxine on an empty stomach, with water, at least 30 mins before any food/drink, and ideally 4 hours before any other medication.  If not, it's unlikely to be absorbed adequately.

Ooops, loooong post!  Hope it makes some kind of sense JC, keep us posted!

 flow2

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