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Thyroid  (Expert Forum)
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Synthroid medication causing hair loss
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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MedHelp Member's Question

Synthroid medication causing hair loss

by vj1142, Jul 03, 2006 12:00AM
Taking the medication Synthroid has caused me to suffer a severe hair loss.  What would be the result if I stopped taking Synthroid?
Doctor's Answer

by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jul 04, 2006 12:00AM
if you are HYPO then you need some sort of thyroid replacement -- hair loss is a symptom of HYPO and it may be that you need mroe time with adequate replacement - may take 2-3 months at a target TSH of about 1.0 to see improvement in hair/nail changes
Member Comments (31)

by GravesLady, Jul 03, 2006 12:00AM
To: vj1142
Don't stop your medication without your doctors knowledge and approval.  This can cause a big set back among other possible problems.



It is not the Synthroid but rather the disease process.  A lot of thyroid patients have suffered hair loss or thinning. Hair loss or thinning is just one of the many thyroid symptoms.



Once you are on the right level for you to feel your best hair loss will subside and grow back.



Some have found certain shampoos help but I never had this problem so never paid attention to the brands.  Perhaps others will come along with that info.  



Good Luck.

by vj1142, Jul 03, 2006 12:00AM
I was on 200 mcg and that's when the hair loss became severe.  Reported it to my doctor.  He did another blood test 8 weeks ago and reduced my Synthroid to 150 mcg.

by lhowell, Jul 04, 2006 12:00AM
I had really bad hair loss right before being diagnosed with Hashimoto's.  In fact, the hairloss is was drove me to see a dermatologist who did some blood work and checked my TSH levels.  It took about a month of using the Synthroid before the hair loss subsided.  Hang in there.

by charley1986, Jul 04, 2006 12:00AM
To: vj1142
Hey, I am having the same thing happen right now.  I am scheduled for thyroid scan on the 21st.  Found two nodules on my thyroid.  Been taking meds for several years - just started having these problems.  I went to the pharmacy to get some rogaine but my pharmacist said that I should just stick it out until we get my thyroid problems taken care of.  I have always had really thick healthy looking hair - so I am really upset about my hair loss.  I get handfuls of it out of the shower drain!  I wish you lots of luck - just wanted you to know that I sympathize.

by ZoeRay, Jul 07, 2006 12:00AM
I've read on several sites that there can be initial hair loss with Synthroid.



Zoe

by NURSELPN, Jul 08, 2006 12:00AM
To: vj1142
I also had extreme hair loss with hyperthyroidism. And doesn't seem to be improving that much with treatment. It was so bad I* had to wear a wig. :-(

by rusalka, Jul 08, 2006 12:00AM
Hey guys it happened to me too but after 2 months on euthyrox-levothyroxine my hair grew back thicker than I have had for 24 years. I switched to pantene hair products too as I heard that cancer patients use it after radiation treatments and it helps .  It works for me. Always remember you are beautiful even without hair.

by glb25, Jul 12, 2006 12:00AM
Due to insurance issues I haven't been on my synthroid for about 6 years. (I have hypo. by the way) My thyroid corrected itself during pregnancy so it wasn't an issue for a while. Now I have found that if I use pantene conditioner and take prenatal vitamins my hair, nails and skin issues are better. Good luck to you!

by Aylin, Jul 26, 2006 12:00AM
Hi friends,



I have hypothyroid as well and have been taking synthroid for 17yrs now.  I also experienced some thinning of the hair and also quite some hair loss in the past few years....it was getting pretty bad at onepoint but then slowly recovered.  I defintely do NOT have my same hair but at least some grew back although it is still very thin.  Thansk for the Pantene shampoo advice!  I will give it a try.

by hawkfan, Aug 02, 2006 12:00AM
My hair loss is so bad that I've considered just shaving all my hair off.  Because I'm female it would be a little wierd.  I don't know what else to do.  I'm 28 and have longer hair, but have to put it back every day so I don't get hair all over.  Every day seems to be worse than the day before.  Today I pulled out a HUGE chunk of hair when I was washing my hair.  I already use pantene, so I don't know what else to do.  I've been on Synthroid since my cancer treatment in April and still no luck on getting it regulated.  HELP!!!!

by cathy57, Aug 14, 2006 12:00AM
To: rusalka
Please tell me about this med you're taking.  I'm very curious.  How can your hair stop falling so quickly?  Mine has been falling for 7 years and I'm fed up.  Also.  What is your dosage and how much do you wiegh? cb

by mtggal, Aug 16, 2006 12:00AM
For Hair Loss use Nioxin. It has been approved to help cancer patients with the regrowth of hair an I use it because I have fine, skinny hair. Now that I have been diagnosed with Hypothryoidism, and have been taking Synthroid, my hair is thinning even more...I'll continue to use the nioxin and and use primrose oil too.

Thought this info might help someone else!

by Pie Face, Aug 28, 2006 12:00AM
Looks like we are all in the same boat.  Does the Nicoxin and Primrose oil have any side effects??

by LAURIEL, Aug 31, 2006 12:00AM
my hair was thinning alot when my thyroid was hyper now that my thyroid is damaged and i have really low thyroid the hair loss is less , but I justed started 25 mg of synthroid I hope the hair loss dont get worse. I am also using nixion and it seems to help bring some volume to my thinning hair. I hate this hair problem but I like the serinity prayer. Help me to accept the things I cant change. I am doing all I can do to keep what I got but if it dont stay what can i do. I know one thing i need is the medicine our i wont be able to work or get out of bed.Everything will be ok dont get discouraged.