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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
Frightening Hair Loss and Synthroid
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).
Frightening Hair Loss and Synthroid
by Craniac3, Jul 11, 2007 12:00AM
My TSH was 130 and my antibodies were high at the end of April, leading to my Hashi's/hypo diagnosis. My dr put me on 75 mcg of Synthroid. At my 6-week lab, my TSH was down to 4.75, but still over 3, so she put me on 100 mcg Synthroid. My hair was NOT falling out prior to the diagnosis, but I have now (over the course of 10 weeks) lost about 50% of my hair. I have read until I'm blind about hypo/Hashi's in books and online, and all the information conflicts. Some say the hair loss is from the hypo itself, some say it is from the Synthroid. It seems from my fact-finding that folks on Levoxyl lose hair, people on Armour swear their hair is thicker and better than ever, yet anti-Armour people think the ratio of T3 to T4 is too high and causes other problems. I don't know what to think or believe. Will hair vitamins/supplements help on their own? Should I try adding Cytomel to my Synthroid? I don't mean to sound shallow, but I'm only 48 and my appearance is somewhat important to my job. I hate wearing hats, nevermind a wig 24/7. My next round of labs/dr appt is not until early August, and I could very well be bald by then at this rate. Help?!
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jul 12, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 12, 2007 12:00AM
I usually try supplements for hair and adding cytomel (the T3 is easier to titrate than in armour). There's way too much pro-/anti-armour comments out there -- in reality, it's a matter of what works best for the individual patient and is safe and appropriate medically for that patient.
I tend to think the hairloss is not a side effect of the synthetic T4, but part of the hypo/hashi disease process that in some patients responds to the addition of T3.
I tend to think the hairloss is not a side effect of the synthetic T4, but part of the hypo/hashi disease process that in some patients responds to the addition of T3.
supplements.
The best for hair, in my personal opinion, Biotin, I use 5mg., or 5,000mcg.
a day or so. Also, Silica, and MSM, and Cysteine can be helpful, but cysteine
has it's issues so read up and decide for youself. Essential Fatty Acids are
great for scalp and thus hair. We have way too much Omega-6 in diets, no
where near usually enough Omega-3's.
As for the Armour/Synthetic issue, just food for thought, I tried the natural
thyroid and was massively allergic, I felt really bad. My understanding is
synthetic is made bio-identical (?) to human thyroid, so I have no problem
with that, and I'm a veggie so I don't really like to consume animal products
mostly.
FB
Sarah
When was your last TSH lab? If you're having palps your TSH may have dropped too low and you would need your Synthroid dosage adjusted. I'd like to just go on the med and be healthy again, but apparently this is a daily, lifelong battle. Just when I finally get titrated properly, I will probably go into menopause and have to start all over. Thank goodness for health insurance is all I can say!!