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Rapidly Losing Hair - why?

I have been on Levothyroxine 25MCG for about 6-8 months. My hair loss has been dramatic. I am a 50 year old male who had very thick hair until recently. I have lost about 40-50 percent of my hair (receding hair line and top of head) over the last 3-5 months. What is causing this? My doctor says my thyroid (hypo) went from about 9.0 to 4.0. How  can I reverse this hair loss? Should I stop using the Levothyroxine immediately?
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
What is the reference range for the T4 and is that Free T4 or Total?

Is your endo not testing FT3?

Agree with gimel, your numbers are only perfect if you have no symptoms or other conditions that might cause the same symptoms.
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Avatar universal
Your numbers are perfect only if you have no hypo symptoms.  That is the only criterion that matters.  Have you been tested for the most important thyroid test, which is Free T3.  Are you taking thyroid meds?  If so, what is the dosage?  Do you have any of the 26 symptoms listed in this link?

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

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2079940 tn?1332099329
My endocrine says my numbers are perfect


T4 free 0.7      TSH 0.78    this was 3/7/2011
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hair loss is most often related to being hypo.  A couple of us have posted a request on your own thread for labs with reference ranges; please post them, so we can help assess your situation.  Best to post them on the thread you started.
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Avatar universal
For me, hair loss is the first indicator that my meds are either too high or too low. I've been on Synthroid and am now on dessicated thyroid. If it's too little I lose the hair,become constipated, tired, cold, and finally profoundly befuddled, pretty much in that order. I suspect you may need a dosage adjustment. When I got my levels my hair grew back. Hair falls out in the hyper state as well due to an incomplete cycle for the follicles. Have to find that happy place.
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2079940 tn?1332099329
I am a 57 year old female,and was put on 0.025 of the levithyroxine and my hair started falling out.I had ferry thick long hair to way waist.
Then I went off the pill and after 2 months the hair stopped falling out but I want to a endocrinologist, he pu me back on the same 0.025.

I had no symptoms of hypothyrpoidism,except being a little tired, but I also take some heavy pain meds due to a 5 level lumbar fusion,topomax,and some others.He put me on 0.050.Then 0.053/0.075.

In Jan I told him that bnow my hair is coming out in palmfuls, i actually stopped anOreck,brock the belt because of my hair falling off me duing the day.

We stayed with0.050. No change now.This has been since july. I can fall asleep for 4 more hours after taking this pill, I have become allergic to tpical leg cream now and sulfa drug, very bad reactions last summer, and I have lost 1/4 of my thickness, my hair feel different, I am miserable.

Can i just stop this pill,This has been 1.5 years. Can't some people just not need it no matter what the numbers says and mine are low anyway.

I am thankful I have thick hair but so tired of everyone saying, good thing you have thick hair.
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
It seems the symptom/issue can be associated more with Synthroid than with Armour thyroid.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
per many of the forums on here, the hair should stop shedding after 6 to 8 mos. Afterwards, hair should start growing back. I was originally on armour and experienced very little to no hair loss. My dr switched me to levothyroxine and I experienced a lot more hair loss. My current dr switched me to teh brand synthroid and I have lost 40% of my hair and it's still coming out.

I'm in my 6th month of synthroid and am waiting for another 2 mos to see if things get better. If they don't, I'm switching to armour. You should have already regained some hair from the loss.

Also, keep taking your meds until you switch (if you want to). According to new guidlines, TSH levels should be between 0.3 to 3.0. Mine are usually at 1.2 to 1.7.

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do not stop taking your meds.  You should have your blood tested again to make sure where your TSH level is. You are on a really small dose of meds.  Hypothyroidism can cause a lot of hair loss and you might be hypo still.  If that is the case, they will up you dosage and your hair should stop falling out at such a rapid rate.  It might even grow back.
Helpful - 0
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