Synthroid and h.air loss

For the past 15 yrs I have suffered from hair loss. However, it always seems to grow back - not as thick, but it does grow back. I had a low feritin and my md associated this with my hair loss. About a year and a half ago, I noticed that my hair loss had increased. I went to an Endocrinologist who ran thyroid tests. They came back normal but he put me on Synthroid (0.088 mgr). It is 6 months later and my hair loss has worsened dramatically. My hair falls out without me even washing or combing - it simply drops of my head. It has become very disturbing.
There are two things I have noticed, however, which may shed some light:
1-my hair loss seizes entirely when I am near the ocean. During summer vacations or even weekend visits to the sea, my hair stops falling out.
2-it increases dramatically around my period.
Does anyone have any answers to all of this? If my increased hair loss is a side effect of Synthroid, will it subside? It has already been 6 months since I started the treatment

[barleypop]

Why were you put on synthroid if your tests are normal?  do you have copies of your tests, if so please post results and ranges.  It doesn't make sense for an endo to put you on thyroid meds if your tests are normal.  Did you see the results and did the doctor say they were normal.  Taking T4 meds when you don't need them can contribute to other health problems such as osteoporosis.  

Do you have other hypothyroid symptoms?  I can't answer your questions on why your hair loss would slow down or increase.  I have been on synthroid for three months now and my hair is continuing to fall out.  It is very frustrating.

[Mzzchief]

Don't have any real answers to your question, but some questions for you that may help solve why your hair loss slows when you go to the sea. The main question is:  What's different ?  Specific question are: Are you getting more sun? Are you more/less relaxed? Are you getting more sleep/exercize? Are you eating or drinking anything that you normally don't? Are there any activities that increase during this time? Now think of how you FEEL when you are there.

You may want to try to create some of these same circumstances at home.
Just a thought.
I'm loosing my hair too, if its any consolation, but I suspect its not!
: )
Mzz

[Newbee2000]

My endo told me that being hypo can cause hair loss and also that when you start taking synthroid (or change your dosage) it will can cause/increase hair loss due to the changes in your thyroid levels (tsh). I started losing hair just before my hypo diagnosis and it got worse when I began treatment/synthroid. The hair shedding stopped when my tsh got down to about 5.  I don't know much about the ocean's influence on hair loss, but Mzzzchief made some interesting ponts!!! Also, have you thought that the humidity or quality of the air by the ocean is making your hair "sticky", so even if it's not attached at the root, it's still on your head stuck to the other hairs. Just a theory!!!! You might post your question on the Doctor-Patient forum (Dr. Lupo). You might also investigate other possible causes for hair loss with a dermatologist. Good luck!!! I know how upsetting hair loss is!!!!!!!!!

[chamois1]

Your endo mprescribed synthroid and your hair loss got worse!?!  How terrible for you.  I am losing my hair with no treatment and eill make sure I avoid Synthroid since it does seem to worsen peoples'
hair lossw.  I am a young woman who is really stressed out and upset over my hair falling out in clumps.  I am sad most of the time and would love to find someone who is going thru this and has found an answer with medication, vitamins or minerals or all od the above!!!  Any correspondence
about the subject is welcome.  Chamois1

[Newbee2000]

Are you hypo? Do you know your TSH level?  Being hypo can make you lose hair! I was losing hair BEFORE I started treatment. When I started synthroid the hair loss got a little worse, but then as my thyoid levels/tsh came down (due to the synthroid) the hair loss STOPPED!  Synthroid evebtually helped my hair loss. I currently am not losing hair!  If you have a thyroid disorder do not avoid treatment. The treatment should eventually help your hair loss or stop it. Speak to an endocrinologist!! Good luck!

[EzoMezo]

Hi guys,

I have started loosing my hair after I started taking thyroid medications and still am losing my hair using .125 synthroid. My doctor ran some tests and found my testosterone levels extremely high. Then as a PhD student, I did some research on my own and found medical articles that state that  high testosterone levels in females is the number one hair loss reason. I believe at this stage  synthroid somehow impacts how my body produces hormones..Ask your doctor to also check your testosterone levels as a possible cause of hair loss.

[Mzzchief]

Hi, I'm back!
I ended up starting Synthroid after accelerated hairloss, following 3 vaccines, when it literally began coming out in handfuls, no joke! I've seen less hair on a barbershop floor. Turns out the cause of my hypo was Hashimoto's, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid.

Hair continued to fall until my TSH stabilized. During periods of increased shedding, my scalp would feel as if it were crawling. YECH.

Something to consider is that hair goes dormant for about 2 months before it sheds. So what's coming out now, was determined 2 months ago... IMO that's why hair continues to fall for longer than you'd think.

Also stablization of TSH doesn't happen overnite... it takes anywhere from 6-10 weeks....  needs to be retested another 6-10 weeks later to make sure you are on an optimum dose and monitored twice a year once that dose has been determined as optimum or more frequently if you start gaining or loosing large amounts of wieght or having symptoms. People feel better at different TSHs, it may take a while to find your "sweet spot".

The thyroid is only one part of the endocrine system. So things like sex hormones and adrenals may need balancing in some cases. Or you may benefit from the addition of T3. For some patients its so bloody complicated that its no wonder there are so many patients feeling lousy despite being on meds and monitored by a sympathic doctor.

500 mg Primrose oil or Saw Palmetto is supposed to help keep testosterone from converting to DHT, the form of testosterone that causes your hair to shed. You may consider taking it twice a day if you have found yours to be high, or as a preventative measure.

Good luck
: )
Mzzchief

[VAnessaLB]

Put me down as someone who had no hair loss whatsoever until being put on Synthroid. It has recently begun to grow back, and the loss has slowed a bit, but it's still falling out almost 2 years later. I have a receded hairline as well. Very upsetting.

[lisad616]

I have been taking synthroid for years - i continue to have my levels tested and i have gone up and down in the amount of synthroid, but i have been in the normal range for a long time. My hair has been falling out for the past 3 years and i cant take it anymore.....i had no idea that the medication could be the reason! my endo has NEVER suggested that this could be the case. i cant believe as i read everyones posts - i am experiencing the same thing. it is so upsetting.....

is there another medication i can take instead? does primose oil really work???