Confused - please help with labs! Thyroid, Adrenals, and Massive Hair Loss!!

[marsnyc]

I have been suffering from severe diffuse hair loss for the past couple of years. Results of latest blood tests reveal: low testosterone, low DHEA, estrogen dominance, and the following thyroid results:
1. T4 free - 0.89 (0.61 - 1.76)
2. TSH - 0.309 (0.350-5.500)
3. T3 - 126 (85-205). Note that a free T3 result is coming,

I have a nodule (neither hot nor cold) and slight enlargement of my gland. Originally diagnosed with subclinical hypo (TSH in April was 2.26) and administered 60 mg Armour Thyroid that I've been taking for the past 6 weeks. I think the Armour has knocked my TSH down as well as my T4 free which was 1.01 in April although my T3 (total) is higher than it's ever been.

I’m posting actual Diagnos-Tech lab cortisol results and would appreciate any comments/advice you can offer.

ASI – Saliva Test
7-8 am 13 Normal Range 13-24
11-12 3 Depressed Range 5-10
4-5 pm 14 Elevated Range 3-8
11-midnite 5 Elevated Range 1-4

Cortisol Burden: 35 Range 23-42

Cortisol-DHEA Correlation within reference range but leaning towards Stage 2.

Other Measurements:
Insulin – Fasting - <3 Normal Range 3-12
Insulin – Post Prandial <3 Depressed Normal Range 5-20
Total Salivary SIgA 9 Depressed Normal 25-60
Gliadin AB, SIgA 13 Borderline Borderline 13-15; Positive
DHEA 2 Depressed Range 3-10
Free Testosterone 8 Normal Normal Range 8-20

Sorry for the length but comments are greatly appreciated…..

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Cannot comment on salivary cortisol -- the only validated salivary cortisol is the midnight which according to that lab may be slightly high, but unlikely Cushings syndrome.

Would test thyroid antibodies -- not clear if a TSH of 2.26 warranted starting Armour (or any thyroid med for that matter) - but if there seems to be a benefit, may be worth continuing.

Borderline Gliadin Ab may suggest sprue (gluten sensitivity) -- the gold standard to document sprue is small bowel biopsy.  Malabsorption from sprue could cause nutritional deficiencies which would lead to hair loss.

[kwhel]

Go to About.com/hypotyroidism.  It gives alot of good information for patients and doctors who will listen.  It shows that even though thyroid test are normal, that doesn't mean your thyroid is.  Next you need to find a doctor willing to treat thyroid symptoms even though test is normal, this condition is called euthyroid.
I have been telling my doctors for years I had a thyroid problem (only half a thyroid, no surgery even done, so many hypothyroid symptoms) I was treated for awhile then a new doctor stopped treatment.  After several years I had to beg my new doctor to start treating me, he didn't want to because tests were normal, finally he gave me a small dosage of thyroid hormone just in time because I was having severe depression.  That really helped there but trying to convince my doctor to up the dose is useless.

[cosmicsoul]

Marshnyc, not sure why they gave you thyroid hromone if your TSH was 0.3 something. That is pretty low already!!!! Not sure if at that point you needed any..... extra meds could have caused problems... As far as the cortisol - perhaps bioidentical hormones can help balancing the chortisol... you want to find an MD who can help you with that.
Kwhel,
Please FIND another doctor. Go to armourthyroid.com and locate one in your area. Armour thyroid saved my life and it might just save yours too. Good luck to you both!

[happyandhypo]

about.thyroid.com is heavy on opinion.  I know for a fact the writer sensors and edits information in order to push her own agenda.  In addition, armour.com site does not list all doctors who prescribe Armour, merely those doctors who have requested or agreed to be listed.  Armour Thyroid is made by a pharmaceutical company (Forest) and as such, it is no different than any other pharmaceutical company looking for doctors to lend credibility to their drug.  Many doctors not listed on amour.com are willing to prescribe amour on a case by case (i.e. patient by patient) basis.