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Hair Loss Caused By Synthroid
Hi everyone.
Prior to the story before, I always had tons and tons of thick, healthy hair with NO hair loss.
In October 2009, I began having prolonged, non-stop menstruation and severe pelvic pain. Numerous tests later, docs had no idea what was wrong with me.
In January of 2010, my GP put me birth control pills for 3 months, but it didn't help me at all. In fact, it caused heavy hair loss which stopped when I stopped taking the pill, and also made my moods unstable (I'm usually calm/laid back otherwise).
After a month of no meds, in April of 2010 she put me on .25 levothyroxine as she thought I may be hypothyroid, because I was sluggish, depressed, and gaining weight (and still continued menstrual bleeding non-stop). . My TSH levels prior to any meds was 3.68.
A month later (May 2010), since my menstrual cycle was still abnormal, and my TSH had only come down to 2.99, my GP decided to increase my dosage to .50. At this point, my energy level was up, but so was my anxiety, and I was constantly flushed in the face and overheated/sweating all the time. But she said my body would adjust.
By the 3rd month on levothyroxine (June 2010) 3, my GP deided to increase my dosage to .75 to bring my TSH fown to the 1's. However, my menstrual cycles were still wacky. She also switched me to Synthroid.
Within 2 weeks, my hair began falling out in CLUMPS. I was clogging the shower drain 2-3 times per shower, and hair was literally falling off my head as I walked around. My head was raining hair. I freaked out, went to see her and he admitted I had already list a lot of hair. She said thyroid meds increase metabolism so maybe that's why I had hair loss, but to "stick it out" and my body would adjust.
Within 3 months, I had and continued to lose SO much hair, I was crying and hysterical every time I showered. I saw her again, and she said it was up to me to stay on the neds or not. They weren't helping my menstruation anyway, and I was sweating and losing hair. My TSH was at 1.04.
I weaned myself off the Synthroid by October 2010. I was no longer on ANY meds.
Fast forward to today, March 31, 2012...1.5 years post Ynthrod, and I still continue to lose hair daily. It has never stopped since back when I had no air loss but was put on thyroid meds.
I have seen many specialists, all at a loss as to what is going on.
I have regularly had my TSH (and occassionally my T3/T4 checked and all came back normal (TSH fluctuating between 2-3.5, depending on the time of nonth or day). I've been tested for autoimmune disorders and all came back negative.
But my hair has never stopped falling out since tht awful day I took thyroid meds. I have even lost nearly all the hair on my arms and half my legs. My bathroom floor is constantly covered with hair, and I barely have to shave my legs. What hair does grow back is fine and sparse. I now have very thin hair and I have to use Toppik yo cover the very sparse parts.
Three weeks ago, I went to yet another specialist and he ran a bunch of tests (my last thyroid tests were only a month before). His reults were vastly different than all the other times, and here are the results (and the lab ranges):
TSH - 5.93 (0.4-4.5 mIU/L)
TSH with Hama - 6.17 (no range given)
T4, Free - 1.0 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL)
T3, Free - 3.0 (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)
T3, Reverse - 30 (11-32 ng/dL)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies - <20 ( Follicular: > or = 2.7 ng/mL; Luteal: 3.0-31.4 pg/mL)
Testosterone, Free - 1.7 (0.2-5.0 pg/mL)
Testosterone, Bioavailable - 3.7 (0.5-8.5 ng/dL)
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 36 (17-124 nmol/L)
FSH - 4.0 mIU/mL (Follicular: 2.5-10.2; Mid-cycle Peak 3.1-17.7; Luteal: 1.5-9.1)
LH - 6.1 mIU/mL (Follicular: 1.9-12.5; Mid-cycle Peak 8.7-76.3; Luteal: 16.9)
Iron, Total - 54 (40-175 mcg/dL)
Iron Binding Capacity - 404 (250-450 mcg/dL)
Ferritin - 26 (10-154 ng/mL)
Transferrin - 250 (188-341 mg/dL)
DHEA Sulfate - 127 (40-325 mcg/dL)
Cortisol, 8 a.m. - 22.1 (4.0-22.0)
Magnesium - 5.8 (4.0-6.4 mg/dL)
Parathyroid Hormone, Intact - 50 (10-65 pg/mL)
As you see, the testing was extensive (and pergormed a week pre-menstrual cycle). But based on the TSH and the Free T3/T4 levels, he said he would diagnose me with Hashimoto's, even though (he said) my DHEA Sulfate is low for my age (mid-30s), so I may also have some Adrenal Fatigue.
I was shocked that he sees Hasimoto's in this, and wants me to take Adrenal Supplements (herbal), DHEA supplements (herbal), and eventually, Armour thyroid.
I told him I'll think about it, but wanted serious input from those who understand the levels I posted above. Why hadn't my hair loss stopped? And are my labs pointing to thyroid disease/imbalance/Hashimoto's or not?
P.S. my menstrual cycle is still somewhat wacky, and turns out I had ovarian adhesions that a laparosvopy surgery discoered and forrected.
Please share your thoughts and expertise...I really am confused as to what is happening to my body! I just want my normal hair back!
Prior to the story before, I always had tons and tons of thick, healthy hair with NO hair loss.
In October 2009, I began having prolonged, non-stop menstruation and severe pelvic pain. Numerous tests later, docs had no idea what was wrong with me.
In January of 2010, my GP put me birth control pills for 3 months, but it didn't help me at all. In fact, it caused heavy hair loss which stopped when I stopped taking the pill, and also made my moods unstable (I'm usually calm/laid back otherwise).
After a month of no meds, in April of 2010 she put me on .25 levothyroxine as she thought I may be hypothyroid, because I was sluggish, depressed, and gaining weight (and still continued menstrual bleeding non-stop). . My TSH levels prior to any meds was 3.68.
A month later (May 2010), since my menstrual cycle was still abnormal, and my TSH had only come down to 2.99, my GP decided to increase my dosage to .50. At this point, my energy level was up, but so was my anxiety, and I was constantly flushed in the face and overheated/sweating all the time. But she said my body would adjust.
By the 3rd month on levothyroxine (June 2010) 3, my GP deided to increase my dosage to .75 to bring my TSH fown to the 1's. However, my menstrual cycles were still wacky. She also switched me to Synthroid.
Within 2 weeks, my hair began falling out in CLUMPS. I was clogging the shower drain 2-3 times per shower, and hair was literally falling off my head as I walked around. My head was raining hair. I freaked out, went to see her and he admitted I had already list a lot of hair. She said thyroid meds increase metabolism so maybe that's why I had hair loss, but to "stick it out" and my body would adjust.
Within 3 months, I had and continued to lose SO much hair, I was crying and hysterical every time I showered. I saw her again, and she said it was up to me to stay on the neds or not. They weren't helping my menstruation anyway, and I was sweating and losing hair. My TSH was at 1.04.
I weaned myself off the Synthroid by October 2010. I was no longer on ANY meds.
Fast forward to today, March 31, 2012...1.5 years post Ynthrod, and I still continue to lose hair daily. It has never stopped since back when I had no air loss but was put on thyroid meds.
I have seen many specialists, all at a loss as to what is going on.
I have regularly had my TSH (and occassionally my T3/T4 checked and all came back normal (TSH fluctuating between 2-3.5, depending on the time of nonth or day). I've been tested for autoimmune disorders and all came back negative.
But my hair has never stopped falling out since tht awful day I took thyroid meds. I have even lost nearly all the hair on my arms and half my legs. My bathroom floor is constantly covered with hair, and I barely have to shave my legs. What hair does grow back is fine and sparse. I now have very thin hair and I have to use Toppik yo cover the very sparse parts.
Three weeks ago, I went to yet another specialist and he ran a bunch of tests (my last thyroid tests were only a month before). His reults were vastly different than all the other times, and here are the results (and the lab ranges):
TSH - 5.93 (0.4-4.5 mIU/L)
TSH with Hama - 6.17 (no range given)
T4, Free - 1.0 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL)
T3, Free - 3.0 (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)
T3, Reverse - 30 (11-32 ng/dL)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies - <20 ( Follicular: > or = 2.7 ng/mL; Luteal: 3.0-31.4 pg/mL)
Testosterone, Free - 1.7 (0.2-5.0 pg/mL)
Testosterone, Bioavailable - 3.7 (0.5-8.5 ng/dL)
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - 36 (17-124 nmol/L)
FSH - 4.0 mIU/mL (Follicular: 2.5-10.2; Mid-cycle Peak 3.1-17.7; Luteal: 1.5-9.1)
LH - 6.1 mIU/mL (Follicular: 1.9-12.5; Mid-cycle Peak 8.7-76.3; Luteal: 16.9)
Iron, Total - 54 (40-175 mcg/dL)
Iron Binding Capacity - 404 (250-450 mcg/dL)
Ferritin - 26 (10-154 ng/mL)
Transferrin - 250 (188-341 mg/dL)
DHEA Sulfate - 127 (40-325 mcg/dL)
Cortisol, 8 a.m. - 22.1 (4.0-22.0)
Magnesium - 5.8 (4.0-6.4 mg/dL)
Parathyroid Hormone, Intact - 50 (10-65 pg/mL)
As you see, the testing was extensive (and pergormed a week pre-menstrual cycle). But based on the TSH and the Free T3/T4 levels, he said he would diagnose me with Hashimoto's, even though (he said) my DHEA Sulfate is low for my age (mid-30s), so I may also have some Adrenal Fatigue.
I was shocked that he sees Hasimoto's in this, and wants me to take Adrenal Supplements (herbal), DHEA supplements (herbal), and eventually, Armour thyroid.
I told him I'll think about it, but wanted serious input from those who understand the levels I posted above. Why hadn't my hair loss stopped? And are my labs pointing to thyroid disease/imbalance/Hashimoto's or not?
P.S. my menstrual cycle is still somewhat wacky, and turns out I had ovarian adhesions that a laparosvopy surgery discoered and forrected.
Please share your thoughts and expertise...I really am confused as to what is happening to my body! I just want my normal hair back!
Just to update: still losing hair, now on compounded t3/t4 meds, very low dose as my thyroid panel levels are really very mildly low without meds. But I am desperate to get my hair back, though I lose it in clumps still every single day. So I'm still trying. I am not in menopause, FYI.
Took Naturethroid for 6 weeks and it caused a bald spot in front of my ead. Lovely.
Wish I had never taken Synthroid because I never had hair loss. It has changed my life for the worst. I barely leave the house now.
For anyone who says Synthroid didn't cause the hair loss - STOP. The company was even sued a few years ago for exactly that irreversible side effect for MANY. So just STOP.
Everyone else in the same boat: I am so sorry. I truly feel your pain.
Took Naturethroid for 6 weeks and it caused a bald spot in front of my ead. Lovely.
Wish I had never taken Synthroid because I never had hair loss. It has changed my life for the worst. I barely leave the house now.
For anyone who says Synthroid didn't cause the hair loss - STOP. The company was even sued a few years ago for exactly that irreversible side effect for MANY. So just STOP.
Everyone else in the same boat: I am so sorry. I truly feel your pain.
although you may have Hashi's, have you been tested to see if you are in menopause? I had the same problem as you, and it took over of year of heavy cycles, then it all just stopped. I was in menopause. I also have Hashis for 20 years now, trouble with hair loss still. There are no easy answers unfortunately, and you can stress yourself out trying to find them. We are not just the results of lab work, everyone if different, and stress in itself, will cause your hair to fall out. Good luck, hope you found some help.
I'm 19 years old and was diagnosed with hypothroidism and hoshimotos when I was 13. I was put on a small dose of synthroid and the problem was quickly corrected. In the past year, I wasn't too good about taking my medication, but two months ago, when I had to have my Thyroid levels checked before I headed off to college, my TSH level came back at 7.57, which is extremely high. I was immediately put on 125 mcg per day of Synthroid and 4 days later I noticed that in clumps, my hair was falling out. Within a week, I had lost half my hair.
It is now two months later and I am almost completely bald as a freshman female in college. I have, at best, 10% of the hair I had two months ago. It is painful to look in the mirror. I go through a bottle of Toppik hair powder every two days just to cover up my bald patches. I used to have long, THICK, curly hair and since it started falling out, I had to cut it to my shoulders and it has become thin and coarse.
I've tried everything: Primose Oil, steroid injection shots in my head, I've gotten a scalp biopsy, and I wake up at 6:30 every morning just to take my medication. (you are supposed to take it an hour before you eat) My life is miserable. I can't go out, everyone notices my hair loss, and I can only wash my hair once a week when my roommate is not around. I have a wig sitting in my closet but I just can't bring myself to wear it.
I honestly have no idea what to do, all my TSH, T3, T4, iron, and DHEA levels are completely normal now and have been for about 6 weeks. Hopefully I start seeing some hair growth soon.
If you have had any improvement or if anyone has any tips at all, PLEASE let me know. I am desperate.
It is now two months later and I am almost completely bald as a freshman female in college. I have, at best, 10% of the hair I had two months ago. It is painful to look in the mirror. I go through a bottle of Toppik hair powder every two days just to cover up my bald patches. I used to have long, THICK, curly hair and since it started falling out, I had to cut it to my shoulders and it has become thin and coarse.
I've tried everything: Primose Oil, steroid injection shots in my head, I've gotten a scalp biopsy, and I wake up at 6:30 every morning just to take my medication. (you are supposed to take it an hour before you eat) My life is miserable. I can't go out, everyone notices my hair loss, and I can only wash my hair once a week when my roommate is not around. I have a wig sitting in my closet but I just can't bring myself to wear it.
I honestly have no idea what to do, all my TSH, T3, T4, iron, and DHEA levels are completely normal now and have been for about 6 weeks. Hopefully I start seeing some hair growth soon.
If you have had any improvement or if anyone has any tips at all, PLEASE let me know. I am desperate.
1 Comments
cant believe he started you out with that dosage that high all at once....probably shocked your system.....are you still on it
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism. It may be that you continue to lose hair, because you are still hypo, due to inadequate conversion of FT4 to the usable FT3.
Many people have reactions to the fillers/binders or dyes, in various pills. Tirosint has no fillers/binders or dyes, to it's virtually hypoallergenic. You don't mention the dose of Tirosint you were on, so I'd have to guess that it was probably too high.
In addition, many of us have to be put on a beta blocker to alleviate heart related symptoms, while adjusting to thyroid medication. Some are able to get off them, once the medication is adjusted; others have to stay on them.
You should pay strict attention to eliminating anything you are intolerant or allergic to, from your diet. Allergies are not caused by Hashimoto's, nor does Hashimoto's cause the allergies.
B12 in the low 300's is too low, even though it might be within the reference range your lab uses. I have to keep mine right at the very top of the range, or even slightly over, in order to feel well. Not sure what type of supplement you are taking, but if you don't absorb it well, through the stomach, no amount of supplement will help you. You might try a sublingual or liquid version, as those are absorbed through the capillaries under your tongue and do have have to go through the stomach. Another option is shots. I do them once/week.
It would be most helpful to us if you could post your most recent lab results, so we can better assess the testing/treatment you are receiving. Be sure to include reference ranges, since those vary lab to lab and must come from your own report.
Many people have reactions to the fillers/binders or dyes, in various pills. Tirosint has no fillers/binders or dyes, to it's virtually hypoallergenic. You don't mention the dose of Tirosint you were on, so I'd have to guess that it was probably too high.
In addition, many of us have to be put on a beta blocker to alleviate heart related symptoms, while adjusting to thyroid medication. Some are able to get off them, once the medication is adjusted; others have to stay on them.
You should pay strict attention to eliminating anything you are intolerant or allergic to, from your diet. Allergies are not caused by Hashimoto's, nor does Hashimoto's cause the allergies.
B12 in the low 300's is too low, even though it might be within the reference range your lab uses. I have to keep mine right at the very top of the range, or even slightly over, in order to feel well. Not sure what type of supplement you are taking, but if you don't absorb it well, through the stomach, no amount of supplement will help you. You might try a sublingual or liquid version, as those are absorbed through the capillaries under your tongue and do have have to go through the stomach. Another option is shots. I do them once/week.
It would be most helpful to us if you could post your most recent lab results, so we can better assess the testing/treatment you are receiving. Be sure to include reference ranges, since those vary lab to lab and must come from your own report.
Also, do you have hashi?? Because I have noticed as well.. in the fall I get so sick... I have allergies.. but my thyroid symptoms go crazy every fall as well!!
Wow... what alot of great info here... I have a couple of questions. I came up in bloodwork having intolerance or food allergies to gluten and chocolate... I was strict for over a year... but now I cheat left and right... I wanted to know if the Whey protein has wheat in it?? I don't know about it.. but it sounds like it?.. haha...
also.. my B12 was low 300s and I was told to take a supp.. of course all the Bs except Biotin (which even at 5G and all these years has don't absolutely nothing for me)... they cause palpitations anxiety and heart issues for me...
Even fish oil after a few months caused painful muscles.. I couldn't even bend down anymore...
I have Hashimoto and I am assuming all of this allergy stuff goes with it...
Thanks so much!!
also.. my B12 was low 300s and I was told to take a supp.. of course all the Bs except Biotin (which even at 5G and all these years has don't absolutely nothing for me)... they cause palpitations anxiety and heart issues for me...
Even fish oil after a few months caused painful muscles.. I couldn't even bend down anymore...
I have Hashimoto and I am assuming all of this allergy stuff goes with it...
Thanks so much!!
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