32 and searching for cause of hair loss

[S. Jean]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost 3 years ago, at the age 30, and have been on Synthroid ever since. I'm currently on .1 mg, and my thyroid levels are in the middle of the normal range. The problem is, I've been experiencing diffused thinning of my scalp hair for a couple of years now. I didn't even realize it was thinning at first because I had extremely thick hair to begin with. Over the past six months, I've seen my primary doctor several times, as well as a dermatologist and an endocrinologist one time each, to try to figure out why I'm losing my hair despite the fact that my thyroid is under control. No one seems to be of much help. First, I switched my birth control from the ortho evra patch to ortho tri-cyclen. Then, after several blood tests, I was found to have very low ferritin. I started taking an iron supplement for that about 3 weeks ago. The hair continues to fall out, and lately my scalp has become itchier, even tho the dermatologist told me I didn't have an oily scalp and there's no history of female hair loss in my family. Am I on the right track? Are there any other avenues I should explore? No one seems to think the hair loss is a side effect of the Synthroid, but I'm not necessarily convinced. Thank you very much for any advice!

[barleypop]

I am not convinced synthroid doesn't cause hair loss either.  My hair loss has sped up since taking it but according to the endo my thyroid levels are in normal range.  I am just waiting to see if it stops now.  (I have been on synthroid for 6 weeks now)

In the meantime I have been doing lots of research on hair loss in dermatology journals.  I guess you know that low iron can cause hair loss as well as thyroid problems.  I have low iron too and have been taking supplements since Oct. 1.  It takes awhile (many months) for you iron levels to increase especially if they were really low to begin with.   It is going to take longer for you iron levels to rise and hair loss is almost like a delayed response to the problem if low iron is the cause.

Have you talked to your dermatologist about chronic telogen effluvium or androgenic alopecia (female pattern baldness)?  If it is chronic telogen effluvium, I don't think there is much that can be done but if it androgenic alopecia then the derm doctor should be able to help somewhat.  (that is what I have gathered from my readings)  Have you had your testosterone, estrogen, sex hormone binding globulin, or DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) levels checked?  Are you losing it at your temples or is your part getting wider?

Switching birth control bills can cause hair loss as well.  Sometimes the loss doesn't occur till after many months after the switch.  I thought that was why I was losing my hair a few months ago but then my gyno decided to check my thyroid.  I am glad she did.  I ended up quiting all birth control which might be contributing to my increased hair loss at the moment...who knows!!  I am fairly certain you are on a low androgenic birth control (ortho tri-cyclen) so that is a definite plus for hair loss issues.  

I did just order Mary Shomon's new book from the publishing website Lulu called  'The thyroid guide to hair loss'.  So maybe I will have some more info to share when I get it.  I am 30 years old and I can't believe I am losing my hair either.  I am amazed by how many women have hair loss yet you never really hear about it.  You are not alone even if it feels like you are....I have to remember that too!!  
Marianne

[S. Jean]

Thanks for your comments -- sounds like we are in similar boats. I did switch my bc because of the high-androgenic index of the ortho evra patch, in case that was contributing to the hair loss, and my hormone levels are normal, from what the docs tell me. The loss is fairly diffused, but I do notice it's especially thin on the sides and my part is getting longer in the back. I figure I'll lost about 60% of my hair at this point.

I read the preview to Mary Shomon's new book, and it hit me how similar her story is to mine. I've asked all the doctors I've seen about the possibility that Synthroid is the cause of the hair loss, but they either aren't familiar enough with its side effects or they don't believe its the cause. The endocrinologist I saw actually had several Sythroid promo posters on her walls and told me the drug would only cause hair loss if I was on too high a dosage, and she didn't think I was.

I figure I need to wait at least another month to see if the iron supplements bring any change, but they don't, I think I need to find a doctor open to prescribing something other than Synthroid, and it sounds like it won't be an easy task.

Thanks again for your advice.

[terri thyroid]

I would ask your doctor if you could try another brand - I've heard from an endo that Synthroid dissolves too slowly and you don't get enough of the dosage before it leaves stomach so maybe try another brand and see if that doesn't help with hair loss - it is important not to use generics of thyroid hormone as amounts are not stable so this is one time to stick w/ brand name drug - hope that helps :)