hashimotos/hair loss

[Thindy]

Hi Dr. Lupo. 3 months ago I was diagnosed with hashimotos. Antibodies were in the thousands. I went to the dr. before diagnosis because I was concerned with major hair loss. He started me on 50 mcg of levoxyl. I also take fish oil and evening primrose oil. My hair is still falling and not getting any better. Do you think cytomel would help? Also what is I quit taking levoxyl-would it get worse? My hair loss was better before meds so I hate taking the levoxyl. Thanks!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Hair loss may take 2-3 months to improve after optimizing thyroid meds -- the life cycle of the hair follicle is long.  Would first get TSH to around 1.0 w/ levoxyl (may require higher dose.  Some people report better hair symptoms with T3 (cytomel) but this is inconsistent and no research to back it.

[brbangle]

Thindy, you should post your latest lab results and the lab ranges for Dr. Mark. Hair loss seems to be a pretty common thing with thyroid disorders, both hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Keeping your TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels within normal range through the use of thyroid medication will certainly help decrease hair loss. Synthroid has certainly helped me, though it took some time for me to start noticing a difference! Good luck!

[msfergy]

My hair always falls out, I been on levothyroxine 2 yrs.

[julie1023]

Hi - I have been on levothyroxine since last April - I had hair loss for about 3 months - my dosage changed slightly and I was at a great reading at 175 mcg - that was February of this year.  Suddenly with no change in dosage my hair started falling out by the root in mid-June.  They upped my dosage to 200mcg at the beginning of last month, but I don't see a change - now I'm getting worried because I thought the hair loss was an "initial" side effect of starting the levothyroxine.  Does your hair loss go through cycles or is it constant?  Honestly, this is freaking me out a bit.  Thanks for any input.

[msfergy]

Well I am not sure because I still get alot of hair loss, i was just put on 25 more mcg and it is gonna take a couple of more weeks to see if it improves. I notice alot of people here are on a way higher dose than me and i wonder why, I am only on 75mcg. I have thyroiditis they say, and adrenal insuff., i am going to have my left lobe taken out soon where a small solid nodule is.

[suzy25]

My hair was thin and stringy when I was on synthroid. I am on armour now and have a full head of hair that has got its original curls back. I think what works is different for everyone. It is a frustrating disease.

[msfergy]

I have been hearing alot of good things about armour and i think i need to try it, i am still so tired everday and always in pain.