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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!
When I was on Synthroid, my anxiety was off the charts. I could even tell I was OTT with my rections, but I couldn't help it. The sweating was extreme, too, like I was working in an oven - flushed face and swet dripping down my back and chest when it was 71F in the room.
My head also itched, a LOT, when I was on Synthroid. It then turned very pink and psinful...and then my hair loss began. I am sure the Synthroid was the culprit. However, what my body's reaction may have done is damage hair follicles because I was stupid enough to keep taking something - for 6 MONTHS - that my body was violently against. Yes, initially, I felt okay at 25mcg, but at the time, I was also on Levothyroxine, not Synthroid. Perhaps I am just allergic to Synthroid and the prolonged exposure to it has caused an autoimmune flare up?
What are your thoughts on Armour vs Natur-throid, btw?
Thanks!
My head also itched, a LOT, when I was on Synthroid. It then turned very pink and psinful...and then my hair loss began. I am sure the Synthroid was the culprit. However, what my body's reaction may have done is damage hair follicles because I was stupid enough to keep taking something - for 6 MONTHS - that my body was violently against. Yes, initially, I felt okay at 25mcg, but at the time, I was also on Levothyroxine, not Synthroid. Perhaps I am just allergic to Synthroid and the prolonged exposure to it has caused an autoimmune flare up?
What are your thoughts on Armour vs Natur-throid, btw?
Thanks!
Hi, thanks for the input. If you notice in my original post, I have had my estrogen/progestrone/testosterone tested.
Thanks for letting me know about your experience with Cytomel. I can only hope that it will help, not aggravate my symptoms.
I may look into getting the supplements separately for adrenal support, as you suggested. However, when I had taken Black Cohosh for a year to help with the heat intolerance, it actually caused excessive liver enzymes (as if I were an alcoholic, but I don't even drink!), and once I stopped the Black Cohosh, 2 months later, my liver enzymes went back to normal. Since then, I am weary of herbal supplements. But will definitely consider you suggestions..thanks!
Thanks for letting me know about your experience with Cytomel. I can only hope that it will help, not aggravate my symptoms.
I may look into getting the supplements separately for adrenal support, as you suggested. However, when I had taken Black Cohosh for a year to help with the heat intolerance, it actually caused excessive liver enzymes (as if I were an alcoholic, but I don't even drink!), and once I stopped the Black Cohosh, 2 months later, my liver enzymes went back to normal. Since then, I am weary of herbal supplements. But will definitely consider you suggestions..thanks!
Ok I am only reading part of the long postings, but just to let you know; hair loss is often reactive and takes time to shed. Example; Someone has major surgery due to a major accident. 2 to 3 months later they notice their hair falling out. Someone starting a dose of T4 medication waits patiently for the 6 week magic date to feel better but they notice their hair starts to fall out.
In the first case scenario the person thinks WTF? and starts searching for answers. The condition is very common and is caused by cellular stressors.
In the 2nd case scenario the persons TSH ( don't go on at me you guys who know about all the other testings!) is at say 6.82 so they go to the doctor to get some T4 meds and wait patiently the 6 weeks and they notice their hair falling out. It is due to the problem being back when the TSH was so whacked. It takes a long time for the body to react and then shed the hair. This is not to say it won't grow back, however it is sllllloooooooowwww and you won't see immediate results untill the T4 meds have established a good level.
Do not go on DHEA supplements. Many doctors have jumped on the band wagon of adrenal fatigue/insufficiency etc. Your levels are fine.
In the first case scenario the person thinks WTF? and starts searching for answers. The condition is very common and is caused by cellular stressors.
In the 2nd case scenario the persons TSH ( don't go on at me you guys who know about all the other testings!) is at say 6.82 so they go to the doctor to get some T4 meds and wait patiently the 6 weeks and they notice their hair falling out. It is due to the problem being back when the TSH was so whacked. It takes a long time for the body to react and then shed the hair. This is not to say it won't grow back, however it is sllllloooooooowwww and you won't see immediate results untill the T4 meds have established a good level.
Do not go on DHEA supplements. Many doctors have jumped on the band wagon of adrenal fatigue/insufficiency etc. Your levels are fine.
Just a few things to consider.
If your body only uses Free T3 at the cellular level. And lack of sufficient T3 utilization at the cell level causes Hypo symptoms, how could taking T3 (which you know is low in the range) be a bad thing?
That is if you obviously do not get too much T3. But you know you are low and you know you mostly have Hypo symptoms.
Another question I do not know the answer to but might want to be considered is; If the adrenals are pumping out what they can to make up for the insufficient Thyroid hormone, why wouldn't providing sufficient T3 (which is the only thing the cells use) also help alleviate the adrenal issues?
I think that based upon the advertisements I see on TV and the listing of side effects, if we looked at every medicine and the possible side effects, we would never take any medication. Many of those ads the side effects sound far worse than whatever the medicine is trying to fix in the first place.
There are a few people who long term take a T3 medication only. It may be that it is only a short term thing for most people. one reason for this is the reverse T3 dominance and as the RT3 clears the system, and the body starts to get the T3 necessary at the cellular level, things may begin to right the ship so to speak. And once on the road to improvement the straight T3 medication could be switched to Armour or even straight T4 medication.
People who have conversion problems it is not uncommon for them to have to take a T3 long term IN ADDITION to the T4 medication. Others can find a balance that works well on Armour or other natural dissected thryoid medications alone.
The traditional route seems to be to start with a straight T4 medication and increase dosages slowly. At some point they will either feel well and they are satisfied and they stay there until they begin to feel poorly again. For other people more is needed and they might need to add a T3 component. Either switching to natural dissected or the addition of a small amount of T3 medication in addition to the T4 medication.
All of this is the "art" side of all of things and what can be the most frustrating part because what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. And it takes a LOT of time in some cases. Not to mention finding a Dr who will actually treat your symptoms and look at more than just TSH and not simply stop when you get all your labs into the almost meaningless "normal range" regardless of how terrible you feel.
Above was the "traditional" or most common route. But you may already have determined that the traditional route may not work for you.
I keep coming back to the thought that you felt better when above 25 mcg and below 50 mcg. Your FT3 levels are low. You realize that something needs to be done but you are fixated on your hair loss and have convinced yourself that this was T4 induced. I'm not convinced of that fact. Clearly TO ME, your hair loss seems to hormone related since it is tied so closely with your menstrual/hormone levels. Hypo hair loss is so common by the statistics it would lend one to believe that the hair loss may be related to hypo and not medication. Although stranger things have happened. I do seem to recall a few people reporting hair loss when starting on T4. But in many cases it was not really determined that this was just a coincidence with that particular hypo symptom showing up when they started the medication. And many people also report after the initial few weeks of hair loss after starting the medication they saw improvement. Again making one wonder if it was the body adjusting to the hormone or the coincidence of the timing.
Ultimately your body at the cellular level needs sufficient T3. Your challenge is to find out how YOUR body needs to be able to achieve that goal. Many people it is pretty simple. Others it is a real challenge.
In the end, you know you need to do something. You just have to decide what. Since you seemed convinced that T4 is the cause, and you appear to have some RT3 dominance issues. And you are concerned over herbal adrenal issues, The only thing that would seem to remain, even if short term duration is T3 treatment.
I know you are also concerned about anxiety. But that is a symptom of both hypo and hyper. It may be possible that getting proper thyroid will help alleviate the anxiety symptom. It is also possible that at least temporarily anxiety medication will be needed. Also be careful with these as well as a recent thread discussed how addicting those can be.
Sorry for the long posts. I'm just kind of typing things off the top of my head for you to consider.
If your body only uses Free T3 at the cellular level. And lack of sufficient T3 utilization at the cell level causes Hypo symptoms, how could taking T3 (which you know is low in the range) be a bad thing?
That is if you obviously do not get too much T3. But you know you are low and you know you mostly have Hypo symptoms.
Another question I do not know the answer to but might want to be considered is; If the adrenals are pumping out what they can to make up for the insufficient Thyroid hormone, why wouldn't providing sufficient T3 (which is the only thing the cells use) also help alleviate the adrenal issues?
I think that based upon the advertisements I see on TV and the listing of side effects, if we looked at every medicine and the possible side effects, we would never take any medication. Many of those ads the side effects sound far worse than whatever the medicine is trying to fix in the first place.
There are a few people who long term take a T3 medication only. It may be that it is only a short term thing for most people. one reason for this is the reverse T3 dominance and as the RT3 clears the system, and the body starts to get the T3 necessary at the cellular level, things may begin to right the ship so to speak. And once on the road to improvement the straight T3 medication could be switched to Armour or even straight T4 medication.
People who have conversion problems it is not uncommon for them to have to take a T3 long term IN ADDITION to the T4 medication. Others can find a balance that works well on Armour or other natural dissected thryoid medications alone.
The traditional route seems to be to start with a straight T4 medication and increase dosages slowly. At some point they will either feel well and they are satisfied and they stay there until they begin to feel poorly again. For other people more is needed and they might need to add a T3 component. Either switching to natural dissected or the addition of a small amount of T3 medication in addition to the T4 medication.
All of this is the "art" side of all of things and what can be the most frustrating part because what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. And it takes a LOT of time in some cases. Not to mention finding a Dr who will actually treat your symptoms and look at more than just TSH and not simply stop when you get all your labs into the almost meaningless "normal range" regardless of how terrible you feel.
Above was the "traditional" or most common route. But you may already have determined that the traditional route may not work for you.
I keep coming back to the thought that you felt better when above 25 mcg and below 50 mcg. Your FT3 levels are low. You realize that something needs to be done but you are fixated on your hair loss and have convinced yourself that this was T4 induced. I'm not convinced of that fact. Clearly TO ME, your hair loss seems to hormone related since it is tied so closely with your menstrual/hormone levels. Hypo hair loss is so common by the statistics it would lend one to believe that the hair loss may be related to hypo and not medication. Although stranger things have happened. I do seem to recall a few people reporting hair loss when starting on T4. But in many cases it was not really determined that this was just a coincidence with that particular hypo symptom showing up when they started the medication. And many people also report after the initial few weeks of hair loss after starting the medication they saw improvement. Again making one wonder if it was the body adjusting to the hormone or the coincidence of the timing.
Ultimately your body at the cellular level needs sufficient T3. Your challenge is to find out how YOUR body needs to be able to achieve that goal. Many people it is pretty simple. Others it is a real challenge.
In the end, you know you need to do something. You just have to decide what. Since you seemed convinced that T4 is the cause, and you appear to have some RT3 dominance issues. And you are concerned over herbal adrenal issues, The only thing that would seem to remain, even if short term duration is T3 treatment.
I know you are also concerned about anxiety. But that is a symptom of both hypo and hyper. It may be possible that getting proper thyroid will help alleviate the anxiety symptom. It is also possible that at least temporarily anxiety medication will be needed. Also be careful with these as well as a recent thread discussed how addicting those can be.
Sorry for the long posts. I'm just kind of typing things off the top of my head for you to consider.
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I take generic cytomel and it's very unlikely that it will cause your same symptoms, with the exception of intolerance to heat and it may even help alleviate that. Often raising FT3 levels alleviates symptoms, not causing them. The website you posted says "possible side effects" of cytomel, meaning that they are possible, not inevitable; it also says "side effects of cytomel typically occur when the dose is too high". It's customary to start at a very low level and work up slowly as you can tolerate, taking care not to overdose.
High cortisol can cause weight gain, as well as being hypo. You might want to try to get the 24 hr saliva test to check levels throughout the day. There are several adaptogens you could take for adrenal support; aside from the ginseng, rhodiola rosea, aswaghanda, and astragalus are the main ones. They can help with anxiety and if weight issues are adrenal related, adaptogens can also help with loss. There are no recommended daily requirements, but from what I've read, following the suggested dosages on the bottle is best. A good naturo-path or herbalist could help you with that, if you don't feel comfortable trying it on your own. There's a health food store in my neighborhood, owned by an herbalist and he will do consultations, for a fee, if you desire, so you could check for something like that.
You should get estrogen, estradiol, progesterone tested to make sure they are adequate. Your entire endocrine system must work together in order for you to feel well.
As has already been stated by the others, hair loss is common when hypo, but there are a lot of other things that can cause it, as well.
High cortisol can cause weight gain, as well as being hypo. You might want to try to get the 24 hr saliva test to check levels throughout the day. There are several adaptogens you could take for adrenal support; aside from the ginseng, rhodiola rosea, aswaghanda, and astragalus are the main ones. They can help with anxiety and if weight issues are adrenal related, adaptogens can also help with loss. There are no recommended daily requirements, but from what I've read, following the suggested dosages on the bottle is best. A good naturo-path or herbalist could help you with that, if you don't feel comfortable trying it on your own. There's a health food store in my neighborhood, owned by an herbalist and he will do consultations, for a fee, if you desire, so you could check for something like that.
You should get estrogen, estradiol, progesterone tested to make sure they are adequate. Your entire endocrine system must work together in order for you to feel well.
As has already been stated by the others, hair loss is common when hypo, but there are a lot of other things that can cause it, as well.
I may have answered my own question about possible (in this case, probable) side effects of Cytomel (T3): http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/cytomel/cytomel-side-effects.html
Looks like it would aggravate my already-existing symptoms: hair loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, weight gain, menstrual irregularity, etc.
Interesting, though, that a T3 med would cause my very symptoms. Doesn't that mean I may need T4, then? I'd rather need nothing...but now I'm even more worried than before. Cytomel symptoms are alarming!
One other thing: I do notice decreased hair loss the HIGHER my TSH. Thoughts on this?
Also, another possibility: My hair loss increases noticeably during ovulation and during menstruation, and decreases (it's still a lot of loss, but least comparatively less) right when menstruation is over and picks up again as my hormones cycle toward my next cycle. Basically, on a 23-day cycle, my hair loss is at its worst from day 20 (3 days before the first day of menstruation) to 6 days into a 7-day cycle (day 26), and is noticeably less scary between days 27-30 (the last day of the menstrual cycle to 3 days after the end date). Then, a week later when ovulation begins, my hair loss increases and the hair loss count goes up as my body heads towards the next cycle. How do I know this? I have been charting my symptoms, esp. menstrual and hair loss, and it has been the same pattern for the past 7 months.
Looking at my lab results, does anyone have thoughts on my sex hormones, and whether there is also an imbalance there? (estrogen dominance, perhaps?). Or is my hypo causing this imbalance...?
It's like the chicken and the egg question, isn't it?
Looks like it would aggravate my already-existing symptoms: hair loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, weight gain, menstrual irregularity, etc.
Interesting, though, that a T3 med would cause my very symptoms. Doesn't that mean I may need T4, then? I'd rather need nothing...but now I'm even more worried than before. Cytomel symptoms are alarming!
One other thing: I do notice decreased hair loss the HIGHER my TSH. Thoughts on this?
Also, another possibility: My hair loss increases noticeably during ovulation and during menstruation, and decreases (it's still a lot of loss, but least comparatively less) right when menstruation is over and picks up again as my hormones cycle toward my next cycle. Basically, on a 23-day cycle, my hair loss is at its worst from day 20 (3 days before the first day of menstruation) to 6 days into a 7-day cycle (day 26), and is noticeably less scary between days 27-30 (the last day of the menstrual cycle to 3 days after the end date). Then, a week later when ovulation begins, my hair loss increases and the hair loss count goes up as my body heads towards the next cycle. How do I know this? I have been charting my symptoms, esp. menstrual and hair loss, and it has been the same pattern for the past 7 months.
Looking at my lab results, does anyone have thoughts on my sex hormones, and whether there is also an imbalance there? (estrogen dominance, perhaps?). Or is my hypo causing this imbalance...?
It's like the chicken and the egg question, isn't it?
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