Hair loss and thyroid or hormone connection?

[nvrdull]

My mom has been experiencing unusual amount of hair loss and does not know why. She went off of Synthroid a year ago (after 37 years of being on it) and had bad de-tox but got through and now a year later her hair is falling out in handfuls. She thinks it could now be caused by soy consumption but her dietician says otherwise. She also went off of the hormone Estradial a few months ago and wonders if that has soemthing to do with it. She uses Rogaine and it is not helping. She started on a vitamin regime in early June which is when she noticed the hair loss but doesn't know if this is the cause or not. Her thyroid test done in April said normal to low range so she has stayed off of synthroid. SHe is travelling through Europe and said the hair loss is so bad she has to wear a hat daily and is afraid to blow dry or curl her hair so she just combs it and still comes out. ANy insights? Help!

[Mollie100]

Mary Shomon's book, Living Well with Hypothyroidism, and others I have read as well, mention that occasional ingestion of soy in foods such as tofu, etc is OK, but to avoid supplements with concentrated amounts of isoflavones. According to studies, this can depress thyroid functioning. Unfortunately, this I know from personal experience, as it took  a mild hypo problem into a very bad one. Note that other over-the-counter aids for menopause may contain isoflavones from other sources,such as red clover, and these are just as problematic.

[charley1986]

Im not a doctor, but I would not have stopped taking the synthroid without my doc approval.  I believe that it is coming out b/c of thyroid issues.  I am in the midst of some thyroid stuff myself and I am losing my hair.  Like i said, I'm no doc, but maybe she should start the meds again.  I am sure that the doctor here can better answer your question.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Hair loss is very difficult to sort out.  I would obtain thyroid antibodies and if positive and if the TSH >3 -- would restart synthroid.  There are special vitamin formulations for hair/nail support.  May also be stopping the estradiol, again hard to know for sure as it takes 2-3 months after a change/cause for the hair loss to appear and in turn, to get better...