The mystery of the hair loss

[Craniac3]

Ok you wonderful people who "know things"--I am a year on Synthroid of various dosage, currently on 88 mcg for the past 9 months. I have had B12 tested, iron levels tested, endoscopy, colonoscopy, echo cardiagram, abdominal barium catscan, pelvic ultrasound, bone density, mammogram, and bloodwork too numerous to list. Everything is basically A-ok. I have non-erosive acid reflux on top of my hypo/hashi's for which I take Protonix. My iron levels were a bit low. I read that PPIs tend to prevent you from being able to absorb iron, so I did more research and found Proferrin ES, which is a "heme" iron vs the regular iron pills you buy at CVS which are "non heme" iron. It is better absorbed because it needs a less acidic environment in your stomach to become bioavailable. Anyway, I digress.

MY freaking hair is still falling out! I do not, according to PCP, endo and various hairdressers, have alopecia. I take a prenatal vitamin and evening primrose oil on top of the iron, so I should have sufficient vitamin intake.

So anyone know of any other scourge that can make your hair take leave of your head??????????

[Thypatient]

For what it's worth, I too am on Levoxyl and as of yet haven't had the issue of hair loss come up.  That's not to say it won't ever happen though (I don't trust anything with this thyroid stuff).

Wonder what 'House' would say.  Wish they'd do a show where he grumpily figures out someone's thyroid stuff.  (Still can't believe his real speaking voice is a heavy British accent.)

Take care.

[Craniac3]

CHITCHAT, the hair is falling out all over my head, no particular spot, so again, all my "people" don't think it's alopecia.

LIZ94, that was my next thought... I know hair loss is a side effect of Synthroid, and I know the trauma of being hypo (my TSH was 130 when I was diagnosed) shows up a month or two afterwards, so there is a lag, but after more than one year of being on meds and 9 mos of a consistent dose, seems to me it should be subsiding. I'm seeing my endo on Wednesday, so if he doesn't have any other ideas what might be causing it, will see if he thinks switching to Levoxyl might help. What's to lose?

BARLEYPOP, I would love the address for the hair loss website. Both my 91-yr-old mother and 60-yr-old sister have thick, thick hair. This thin thing is really beginning to get to me. Thank goodness my hair is naturally curly so I can camouflage the thinness for the most part. I've got to try to get a new/different pic of Hugh from my daughter's Facebook. I can't wait for the next season of House to begin!!!!

You might be interested in the "heme" iron I'm taking. Check out www.coloradobiolabs.com. Read their articles about iron absorption and see if any of it applies to you. I seem to see a difference on it. I've been taking it about 2 weeks now. You can order it directly from them, or they tell me CVS/Rite Aid can special order it for you if asked.

Wish me luck... 31st High school reunion in 2 weeks. I missed the 30th last year because I felt so crappy. But WAY better this summer, so there IS HOPE!!!

[Liz94]

Have you tried switching to Levoxyl?  When I started on Levoxyl 14 years ago I never experienced any hair loss. When I switched to Synthroid my hair fell out for 5 months. It's been 6 months now and just in the past month have I a noticed a distinct decrease in the amount. I can now comb my hair after washing it without losing more than 2 or 3 where as before it was 200-300!!  I don't know if the medicine makes a difference but I thought I'd put that out there.

[barleypop]

Hi,
I have been wondering how your hair loss was doing.  I have talked to you in the past about it.  

I will be a year on synthroid in September and my hair loss continues as well.  I have been bounced around on doses and my endo lowered it so much I went hypo again....then the shedding came back full force.   I supposedly have normal thyroid levels currently.  

I too take iron pills and I am still trying to get my ferritin up.  My ferritin has gone down even though I take iron pills, vitamins and my cycle has stopped since April (where or where is my iron going!!) I have switched iron pill brands in hopes to better tolerate/absorb the iron.  

I have had two dermatologists tell me it is likely I have chronic telogen effluvium and there is nothing to do but wait.  Easier said than done!!  I am going to see my third endo in Sept at a university hospital so maybe I will have better news in a few months and maybe even an endo I like...stranger things have happened!!!

I wish I had a magic wand to cure all our hair loss woes or knew of a remedy.  I know you probably have wondered if it is the synthroid since continued hair loss is one of the listed side effects.  I have no idea what to think any more.  

There is a website/chat site that I go to that is nothing but women dealing with hair loss.  It is helpful so just let me know if you want me to message you the address.  

Marianne
Still love your picture of Hugh Laurie!!

[ChitChatNine]

I think its alopecia if you get distinct patches of bald that show .. an exclamation point of two bald spots is classic.  These bald spots can also show up on nape of neck or the hairline.

C~

[utahmomma]

My stylist said that she sees it in tons of thyroid patients - treated and untreated.  In fact, if she sees someone who is losing hair she tells them to get their thyroid levels checked.

She also said that there isn't anything that she has found that can stop it (it grows back - we just shed like old dogs in the spring).  She's tried all of the specialty treatments on her clients and nothing works.  She also does hair shows all over the US and Europe and talks to other stylists about it too.  Same results.

Hair loss:  another lovely mark of distinction.    What's that?  Oh, my shower drain probably needs to be cleaned out again.  :-(