Any luck with hair loss on synthroid??

[barleypop]

Hi,
I have been taking synthroid (100mcg) for a month now and have noticed my hair loss is increasing.  I have read that this will happen the first couple of months on synthroid but then it will get better.  I have also read that for some people it does not improve and the new hair growth is slow or not the same as before.  

I just want to know if anybody has had improvements with their hair while taking synthroid.  Did hair loss slow and then new hair start growing while on synthroid?  Did other meds work better for hair loss for some people?

I guess I need to hear some positive stories about synthroid and hair loss before I totally lose my mind....and all my hair!! ;-)  I keep hoping that the hair falling out is being pushed out by new hair growth.  It would make me sleep a little better at night!!
Thanks

[Craniac3]

If you have Hashi's (antibodies), your thyroid is being destroyed on an ongoing basis. April was a long time ago. I would request new labs. Most doctors run labs on thyroid every 6-8 weeks until you're stable, which you might not be until your thyroid is completely defunct. High cholesterol is also caused by the thyroid being out of whack. Be careful--cholesterol meds can have bad side effects.

Are you seeing a primary care doctor or an endocrinologist?

[BBG1124]

Thanks for your post.  I had a dr visit this morning and he said my levels were fine as of 4/11/07 except for the antibodies.  I done labs to test them again.  I also have an ultrasound scheduled for next week to look at the thyroid.  He also prescribed me Zocor, I think, for high cholesterol.  I just hope it's all good.  Anyway, I do have a lot of aggravating, to say the least, symptoms.  Sometimes I think I'll go crazy.  I am easily overwhelmed, aggravated and depressed.  I don't want to take antidepressants because of it's side effects.  I just want to feel normal.....

[Craniac3]

I have Hashimoto's also, but I don't have the dry scalp, hands/feet or inside nostril. I had pretty much all the symptoms you listed, but most have subsided after 6 months on Synthroid.

If you've been at this for 5 years and still have so many symptoms, I would pursue with the doctor. My guess is you either aren't on the right dosage, maybe you're allergic to one of the fillers in the med (generics have more fillers than Synthroid, Synthroid has more fillers than Levoxyl), or you have something else going on (Allopecia/exzema?).

I hate to feel bad, so I hope you find some answers and get some relief. Good luck! ~michelle

[Craniac3]

Yes, shopping is good, winter is cold. The solution is to shop at LL Bean and get winter gear!!!

[misled2]

just left. the salon and saw nixion products   jc penney   have a sale here buy 1 get one 88 cent    the   dry scalp i have also  i use a zinc shampoo and leoprox  on hair and skin  also dermavite suppplement they seem to do good  after i am out of the shampooo i will try nixion

[barleypop]

I will have to check that shampoo out.  I buy salon shampoo anyway...although I am needing less these days!!  

I saw that you were from Mass.  I was up in Charlestown, Mass visiting some friends over labor day and absolutely loved it up there!! Plus we drove up to Freeport, Maine and went shopping which made it even better.  I would considering moving up there one day but the cost of living is so expensive and I would probably freeze in the winter!  

[BBG1124]

No I haven't been to a dermotologist.  I recently got test results that had high levels of thyroglobulin and peroxidase antibodies.  I'm thinking I have Hashimotos.  I found the following symptoms online:

Fatigue


Depression


Modest weight gain


Cold intolerance


Excessive sleepiness


Dry, coarse hair


Constipation


Dry skin


Muscle cramps


Increased cholesterol levels


Decreased concentration


Vague aches and pains


Swelling of the legs

I was wondering if others were experiencing this and what they done to relieve it.  Thanks.

[Craniac3]

Not sure you can blame thyroid for this... Have you been to a dermotologist? It sounds like you could have some sort of skin thing going on where you have dry skin all over your body.

[Craniac3]

Nioxin is sold at most hair salons. I think it was originally intended for chemo patients. I've gotten my supply at Dellaria Hair Salon, Regis carries it, and individually-owned salons carry it. I'm not sure what salons you have in Alabama.

Hugh Laurie is so cute in House, but I was appalled to find out he was Gina Davis' dweeby hubby in Stuart Little!! My teenage daughter couldn't wait to point that out to me...

[Craniac3]

EPO = evening primrose oil

[BBG1124]

I have been taking Synthroid 100 mcg for about 5 years now and my hair is falling out even worse.  I started putting it in a ziplock bag and after only 5 days it's half full.  My scalp is also very dry and flaky as well as my hands and feet.  Also the inside of my nostrils is very dry.

[misled2]

biotin  can u get over the counter  and what is epo  

[barleypop]

I am also taking Biotin and EPO.  Just started taking iron supplements because my ferritin was on the low side.  Is Nioxin an OTC shampoo?  I am not familiar with it.

I am glad you are having hair growth!  It's good to know especially when I keep reading scary stories on synthroid and hair loss.

Like your picture of House...I love that show!  Wish my doctor looked like him:-)

[Craniac3]

I have taken Synthroid since May of this year. I lost hair until about the last couple of weeks. Now it seems to be normal hair loss and I do see evidence of some growing back in.

I am also taking Biotin and Evening Primrose Oil which are supposed to help. I also use Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment. I use level 3 for colored hair, which makes my scalp tingle. When I went up a level, it made my hair "fatter," but didn't tingle my scalp which I associated with stimulating new growth.

The jury really seems to be out about what actually causes the hair loss. Could be the damage from the failing thyroid, could be the meds. Can also be attributable to low ferratin or alopecia, an autoimmune condition.

Good luck.