Hair loss

[sillygirl1230]

I was diagnosed with Graves disease 5 years ago.  I've always had a great deal of hair like a main.  A couple years ago I had breast cancer and lost all my hair do to chemo.  It hasn't grown back as thrick and what has grown back is thinning.  I take 125 mg of levoxal.  I also noticed that my hair is dry and brittle.  Does anyone have any suggestions.  Even my friends have said I see your hair didn't grow back as thick.  I think it's the thyroid medication.

[Claire1000]

When I first went on synthroid, a large amount of my hair starting falling out or getting thin and brittle. When I switched to armour, this fixed it almost immediately. May be worth discussing with your doc.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would test to make sure the thyroid levels are stable (TSH 0.5-2.5).  The hair does not always grow back the same way after chemo.  There are hair/nail vitamins that can be taken -- they are available over-the-counter -- it sometimes helps.

The thyroid medication itself would not cause the hair problems -- but thyroid imbalance can contribute (ie if the levels aren't on target).