Hair loss even though bloodwork is normal

[flydragon]

Finally got my levels stabilized and in the normal range after about 2 years of craziness, but my hair is still falling out and even has increased.  New symptom is a very itchy head.  Will this stop soon or is it something else?

[gimel]

The way I would try to eplain it is that serum levels vary somewhat over time, so testing from the same blood draw minimizes variation in results.

[flydragon]

I'll call the doctor on Monday and request those tests.  Thanks.  I did not take my T3 prior to blood draw.  I was aware of that.  I will keep you posted.  Have a wonderful weekend!  One more thing...what is the importance of testing Reverse T3, free T3 and free T4 from the same blood draw?

[gimel]

Your TSH is totally suppressed, but that occurs frequently when taking thyroid med, and is not a concern.  Your Free T4 is adequate.  Your (I assume ) Free T3 could be tweaked a bit upward, but I think there are other issues.  

So, I hope this does not frustrate you but I think you need to get a few more tests done.  The tests I think are needed to better assess your status are a Reverse T3 test, along with a Free T3 and Free T4 taken from the same blood draw.   Further, Vitamin D is very important in metabolizing thyroid hormone and low D can also cause symptoms that mimic hypothyroidism.  Same story for ferritin.  Plus low ferritin can cause hair loss.  B12 needs to be in the very upper end of its range.  So I suggest tests for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  From all these additional tests I am confident that a much clearer picture will emerge.  

One thing that is important is to not take your T3 med in the morning before blood draw for the tests..  Since it goes into the blood so quickly compared taking it before the tests can give a false high result.  Which makes me wonder how you handled it previously.  

[flydragon]

I appreciate your help and comments very much.  I am currently taking 175 mcg of synthroid for 2 days .  On the 3rd day I take 200mcg...repeat.  I also take 25 mg of cytomel in divided doses...1/2 pill in am and 1/2 pill around 2pm in the afternoon.  The reference ranges are as follows:  TSH - 0.450 - 4.500.  My results were 0.005 which the lab flagged as low.  Free T4 - 0.82 - 1.77.  My results 1.31.  Thyroglobulin antibody - 0.0 - 0.9, mine <1.0, thyroglobulin serum 1.5 - 38.5, mine 0.1.  Lab flagged as low as well as a comment that this test was not relevant to patients who have had there thyroid removed.  Mine was removed 20 years ago due to cancer.  T3 - 2.0 - 4.4, mine 3.4.  Hope you can help.  Thanks.

[gimel]

I pulled your recent lab results from your other thread and have copied them below so that we are looking at everything in one place.  

"My most recent lab work results are as follows:  TSH - 0.005, Free T4 - 1.31,
Thyroglobulin with Anti-TG Ab - <1.0, Thyroglobulin Serum - 0.1,  Triiodothyronine Free ( Is that free T3?) - 3.4.  Doctor says those are good, but I still have many symptoms of hypothyroid.  Symptoms are Hair Loss, dry hair and skin, constipation, bloodshot eyes and fatigue.  What do you think?"

We need a couple more bits of info.  What thyroid med are you taking and what daily dose?  We need to know the reference ranges for the Free T4 and Free T3 results, as shown on your lab report.  Just because you live in HH doesn't mean that your Vitamin D is adequate.  You should make sure to test for it, along with ferritin.  

I'll hold my further comments on your test results until you post the reference range info and your medication and dosage.  

[flydragon]

I have not been tested for low ferritin, but I have a history of anemia...always blamed it on menstruating. I  I am no longer menstruating.  Age 56...no period for 6 years now.  Nobody ever worries about my vit d because I live in Hilton Head, SC and am out in the sun a lot.  Just started taking a b12 supplement in hopes it will help my energy levels.  I stated my weight was 205 in an earlier post and went down to 190 with additional exercise, but it took 7 months.  But, Still, I AM A FITNESS TRAINER.

[gimel]

What are the results of your thyroid related tests, beyond the .49 you mentioned, which is expect is TSH.  

[DeeFlah]

I agree my levels are 0.49 and I still have hair loss and crazy itching on my head. Also hair loss on eyebrows. Just started Armour Thyroid today instead of synthroid cytomel combo-so we will see.

[gimel]

Low ferritin can also be a cause for hair loss.  Hypo patients are frequently too low in the range for ferritin.  Have you tested for ferritin?  Also, Vitamin D and B12?

[flydragon]

I'm getting all of that.  My doctor is right on top of it.  I understood all that before I chose him and we were on the same page.  I am now having very severe candida-like symptoms.  Wondering if hair loss is from that.

[flyingfool]

"normal range" means absolutely NOTHING.  They are mathmatically created and have no relation what so ever to the patient feeling good.

The normal range is established by taking a number of samples, Say 1,000 and then taking all the results and throwing out only the very bottom 2.5% and the very highest 2.5% of the results.  Making everything else to be called "normal".  Which is a lie.

FIrst off of those 1,000 samples, the reason why most of them went in to have blood drawn for a thyroid test was because they SUSPECTED to be having a thyroid problem.  So right off the bat the population that was tested was likely NOT NORMAL to begin with.  So the results are completely bogus.

This is why most people need to have their blood labs be in the upper half or higher for FT4 and FT3 in order to feel well. Because this appears to be closer target to optimization as the method to calculate the "normal" range is flawed!

[goolarra]

Please post your thyroid labs and include reference ranges from your own lab report.  If you still have symptoms, and hair loss is a hypo symptom, then you could still be under medicated even though in "normal" range.  Do you have other symptoms as well?