Synthroid - Hair Loss

[lisad616]

Does Synthroid cause hair loss? What can be taken in place of synthroid to regulate the thyroid? My hair has been falling out for the past 3 years....

[lisad616]

thanks again for taking the time to write the explanation - i will certainly check to see if he has done testing for FT3.

[gimel]

If it doesn't specifically say free T3 and free T4, or FT3 and FT4, then it is most likely total T3 and total T4 (TT3 and TT4).  The totals are just what they say, which is the total amount of T3 and T4 in your blood.  Most of this is bound up with protein and thus inactive.  The unbound, or free, portions are the biologically active thyroid hormone.  Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have also shown that FT3 correlates best with hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate.  

Many doctors have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and rely predominantly on TSH.  Others do test for total T4 and T3.  Some also test for FT4, but few test for FT3 because they have the mistaken belief that if they know FT4, then they can adequately estimate FT3 levels.  Given the importance of FT3 and the fact that many people do not adequately convert T4 to T3, why not just test and be sure?  So you should make sure to insist on testing for FT3 and FT4 and don't take no for an answer.  

As to why there are those postings that blame Synthroid for hair loss, I'd say that it is  
mostly because people don't know about the importance of FT3 and are not properly medicated, so they never get total relief from their hypo symptoms.  

[lisad616]

Thank you for your response - i appreciate it. Is there a difference between free T3 and free T4 to just T3 and T4 (I know it has been tested, I just am not familiar with the exact terminology)? My levels were recently low, so i was given a higher dosage of synthroid (I went from 150 mcg to 175 mcg). I just have a hard time believing that there is no other cause of my hair loss - I didn't have hair loss before I was diagnosed or for the first 7 or 8 years while taking the medication. It has gotten to the point to where I do not want to shower or brush my hair because I can't stand seeing it fall out. I was trying to be proactive and talk to my doctor about it, but I have been telling him this for over 3 years and nothing has changed. I understand that my levels can cause different side effects or symptoms if it is not "correct", but why are there so many other postings that say that synthroid was causing the hair loss?
thanks again

[gimel]

The previous posts suggested that it is not the Synthroid, but your thyroid hormone levels are more likely too low.  If you haven't been tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4, then you need to do that.  If the doctor resists testing for FT3 or FT4, then you should insist on it and not take no for an answer.

Further, just having levels anywhere within the range doesn't mean all is okay.  The ranges are so broad that many members report that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted  into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least the midpoint of its range.  The key is to adjust FT3 and FT4 high enough to relieve symptoms.  Symptom relief should be all important.  When you have test data for FT3 and FT4, if you will post results and reference ranges, members will be happy to help interpret and advise further.

[lisad616]

thanks for your responses - i have been taking the medication for years (probably 10) and i the hair problem has been happening for at least 3 years. i have been tested to see what my levels are and i have been in the correct range until my recent blood test 2 weeks ago. my doctor raised my amount (and i know i have to give it time), but if its been stable for the past few years and i have lost SO much hair,  it has to be something else that is causing it. so many other people on the site have said that a side effect to synthroid is hair loss - this was not happening when i was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

[stella5349]

hair loss = low thyroid hormone/bad conversion with T4 into direct T3 + high testosterone/low progesterone levels.

[redheadaussie]

It is not the Synthroid that causes hair loss, rather it is not having levels appropriately dosed to stop hypothyroidism. One of the most common side effects of hypo is hair loss. It takes months to re-establish hair growth. Only when your levels are stable will you see a change in your hair.
  Have you got any latest results for your thyroid? Often doctors tend to under dose and this can cause symptoms to linger longer.