I'M SCARED.

I was combing my hair when I saw a little bald patch.  I am freaking out. My doc said my test were normal. Why this?  I have PCOS too.  What can I do?

[Smilerdeb]

It may be Alopecia from stress....hair loss can also be from vitamin deficiency too.
Get those checked.

[Janet25]

But isn't Alopecia hereditery? I don;t have a primary care doctor. Can a dermatoligist do the test?

[ams28]

The same exact thing happened to me which drew my attention to a possible thyroid problem.  I have two bald patches, the biggest one being about and inch and a half by an inch on the back of my head.  My TSH was 7.5 and I was put on 50mcg Synthroid.  I also went to a dermotologist to see if there was anything that could be done for it.  I also wanted verification that it was my thyroid that caused my bald spots.  Unfortunately, he didn't want to say that it was the thyroid for sure.  He said that it was alopecia areata and there was no real known cause for it.  He wouldn't even tell me for sure that stress can be a trigger even though I read it in every website I could find about the subject.  He did injected steroids into my scalp to promote hair growth, can't really tell it's worked though only time will tell.  I'm scheduled to see and endo specialist at the end of the month and hope that I'll get a straight answer once and for all.  If you do go to a dermotologist, make sure they're a good one who will really care about your situation.  My guy didn't seem to care too much.  Steroid injections are proven to work but unfortunately not for everybody.  Good luck and try not to freak too much.  I can truly empathize with your situation.

[Smilerdeb]

I had it years ago when I was under extreme stress and also had a bad blow to the back of the head.
My hair fell out and a Dermatologist gave me steroid cream to rub into the scalp.
This seemed to stimulate the hair folicles and it grew back eventually.
I would make an appointment with a Dermatologist and she/he will do a skin test to see if anything else is causing it.
Let us know how you go :)

[Janet25]

Thnx....

I have an appointment tomorrow with a Dermatologist.  I just want to make sure  its my thyroids or PCOS.  Sometimes I wish they can just take my ovaries out, even though I've been married for 8 years with no babies.  There is always adoption, but unfortunelty it is SO expensive.   But lets see how this goes tomorrow.

Thnx everyone, I wish there was like a club or something, that we could meet every year.

[Janet25]

OK... So I went to the dermatoligist.  He gave me a cream for my hair/scalp, I told him if he would do a vitamin panel and he said that was crazy and full of ****.  he just said that my thyroids and PCOS needs to get in order for my hair to grow back. I dunno, I hate doctors.

[ams28]

Sounds like you got a dermotologist like mine.  I think you might be a little luckier that you got the cream for your patches though.  I got injected in the scalp.  I've got to see him again unfortunately to see if the steroids worked or not.  Good luck to you in your hair regrowth.  Try not to check out the patches everyday, I was doing that for a while and it doesn't help with your moral.  Hang in there.

[Janet25]

Thank You...

I try not to look at them everday but I can't help it.  But I'm tying to better myself(loosing weight, and getting my hormones in line).  That's not helping either.  So are the injections helping?

[ams28]

Yeah, I guess the injections helped a little bit.  I've got some stubble now but the past few days I've had quite a bit fall out in the shower.  I haven't found any new bald spots yet but it definitely makes me anxious.  Do you see an endocrinologist or just a general practitioner for your thyroid?

[gimel]

What tests were you referring t when you said it was "normal" and what were the actual numbers and reference ranges?

[Janet25]

Who haven't I seen... I've seen an ear, nose and throat specialist, an reporductive endo that dx w/Hypo. On the 27th of May I have an appointment with a Thyroid speacialist. Then I started seeing a Naturopath, but OMG. they are so expensive, I have to pay $95 when I seen her everytime, plus the medication.  

[Janet25]

I was referring to my Thyroid test that follows...

FREE T3 2.92
FREE T4 1.4
TSH 0.453

and for the blood count I have an 11.4, which they said was low and to get some Mulitvitamins with extra Iron.  I couldn't find those so I got a multivitamin plus separte Irons pills.  Hopefully I don't overdose with all this vitamins that I'm taking.

[gimel]

You haven't mentioned it so I am assuming that you are not on thyroid meds, correct?   If so, your tests are within normal limits  and to me would not appear to account for your hair loss concern. Do you have any other symptoms that led you to consider hypothyroidism?  Have you checked your basal temperature (thermometer in armpit until fully stable, before getting out of bed) to get an idea about your metabolism?

[Janet25]

No I haven't checked out the temp.  How does that work?  I have been on meds since late October 2007.  And I want to add that I have PCOS.

[josie1970]

This is purely esthetic temporary solution i know,  my hair has thinned  a lot in the past six months,( i have hypothyroidism) i know its not the answer but i have felt a lot better since i starting wearing clip in hair extensions, i have the weaves and the clip in ponies tail, i can easily put them in my self and they are not that expensive. it may make you feel less self conscious. i hope this if of some help.

[gimel]

Basal body temperature is taken in the armpit (for ten minutes) before getting out of bed and moving around.  An old mercury type thermometer works best, but any good digital thermometer will work.  The normal range is reported to be 97.6-98.2.  Temperatures  below this range are an indication of low metabolism.