thinning hair

[Lou Ann]

40 yrs ago I had my thyroid gland removed .Up until 3 months ago I always took 0.01 of synthroid. When I got out of hospital in Oct with  SEPSIS my Dr. changed my synthroid to 1.25. Now my hair is thinning VERY much. Can the fact I am taking more synthroid have anything to do with my hair coming out? Are there any meds that can cause this problem? Perhwaps the meds I was given while ill ?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

too much or too little thyroid med can cause thinning hair -- but with recent sepsis, I would imagine it was from that stress as it takes 2-3 months to see hair loss after such an event.

[lumbeepride]

actually, a lot of people on synthroid complain of hair loss, i was one of them...it wasnt until i changed meds my hair started growing back......yes stress can cause it but so can low iron, and synthroid in some people....

[Julie65]

Serious illness or stress can cause hair loss - and it typically occurs about 3 months after the illness/event.  This is because the illness "shocks" so much of your hair into a resting phase all at once.  About three months later, the hair then goes through a natural "shedding phase".  You are right "on schedule" following your hospital stay.  It is unlikely that the Synthroid has contributed to the hair loss.  Just be patient, all those little hairs will soon start a new growth phase.  Keeping your thyroid regulated with the correct dose of Synthroid will actually help.

[Lake Lover]

Changing thyroid levels will make you lose hair.

Ask your doctor to run TSH FT-3 and FT-4 labs to see if your levels are optimal.

[MJ13]

Try Pantene Pro-V Restorative shampoos and conditioners.  My hair started thinning and became very dry from being on PTU and this product has really helped.  I got mine at Wal-Mart.