Any way to stop or slow further hair loss?

[crystal9239]

I have a appt. with a specialist in a few weeks My hair has been falling out for the past month now and is very thin It use to be waist length and so thick Iam so depressed I dont even want to leave the house.My dr thinks its my thyroid and thinks I might have hyperthyroidism and it is the cause.Is there anything I can be doing now to stop or slow down this har loss I really dont want to be bald.It took me a long time to get my hair this length and I know it will grow back but I still cry every night when I have to brush it or wash it and just handfuls fall out.It has gotten to the point I just put it in a braid and dont even want to touch it anymore.Iam so afraid by the time they figure out whats causing it and they start to treat me and get my meds right I will be bald.i can already see my scalp in places its the worse on the sides of my head I have some  bald areas and now i can see my scalp on top where my hair is so thin now.Iam not sure what to do.

[crystal9239]

No I have been on the same bc pill for years now no problems with it.Its a low dose pill as the higher doses make me sick.My hair has always been long and thic never had this problem ever b4.

[kcr01]

Have you recently switched types of birth control pills or anything?  The only reason I ask is I have MANY symptoms of a thyroid disorder (and a HUGE family history).  My hair was super thick to the point I had to have it thinned whenever I got it cut or it would just bee too much, and it started thinning last fall and even though I didn't get any noticeable bald spots or anything it got so much thicker (my hairdresser says it looks like I lost a third of my hair).  I felt just like you, depressed and scared and wondering if and when it would every stop.
My thyroid tests were normal, and the dermatologist said my hair thinning was probably due to my going off the pill for a while, then going back on it, using Yaz, and then switching from Yaz back to my old pill, Trisprintec, after only 2 months.  The hair started thinning about 4 months later, and he said that's the lag time it takes for hair to start shedding after the hormones basically "shocked" my system.

That was last fall and I got off the pill completely when I heard it might be causing my hair problems.  But then I didn't get a period at all for like 3 months, so I got back on the pill in January.  By then my hair had started to grow back - you can see all the one, two and three inch new hairs, especially around the front hairline.  But now it's also starting to thin again - not nearly as bad as the initial period of thinning last fall, but still more than usual, so I wonder if it's from getting off the pill and going back on a few months ago.  It's ridiculous - and I still feel like my thyroid maybe could be playing a role.  I have a nodule that was found on ultrasound in January.

I know this isn't an answer, but hopefully this info can help you assess your own situation a little.  But I would also go see the specialist if you can and get the free T3 and T4 tests or whatever else they can test you for.  I always try to find a female doctor - male doctors just don't tend to see the urgency of the situation when a woman's hair is thinning!

[crystal9239]

The onlye tests I have had is the regular T4 and T3 Uptake and a FTI.After my results came back abnormal I did my own research online and seen that I should have a TSH done and the free t4 and t3.I told my DR they ended up doing the TSH but as much as I pushed for the Free T3 &T4 they just did not want to do them for some reason I told them they were suppose to be better tests and they kind of acted annoyed by me.So the finally did the TSH,CBC AND CMP not sure why they did the other 2?Should get my results tomorrow.

T4-13.6 (NORMAL. RANGE.4.7 - 11.5)
T3 UPTAKE- 34.0 (NORMAL RANGE 24.2 - 34.2)
FTI-4.62 (NORMAL RANGE-1.68-3.80)


They basically just dont want to fool with me they just want me to go see a specialist ans get out of their faces it seems.Iam not convinced it is my thyroid as Iam on birth control pills and asthma meds that I read can cause elevation in the test results.My dr seems to already diagnosed me with hyperthyroidism without doing what I feel are necessary tests.

[gimel]

Have you had any blood testing done for thyroid?  If so, please post the actual numbers and reference ranges so that members can provide the best response.  If you haven't been tested, then I suggest that you do so, and make sure they include tests for free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4).  You might have to insist on these tests, because they always test for TSH and sometimes total T4 or free T4, but seldom test for free T3.  Free T3 is the most active thyroid hormone and it largely regulates metabolism and other body functions.  Testing for the "Frees" will tell you the most about your thyroid status.