Why am I still having hair loss but also hair is growing in?

[Richelle29]

After 11 years of dealing with hair loss and other symptons I finally got a doctor to put me on Thyroid meds.  My TSH was a 1 but since normal is starts at .99 he was willing to put me on meds.  Well the meds have helped, I'm noticing hair growth but still having hair loss?  How long does it take for the meds to work with hair loss.  My other issues have been corrected with the meds, so I'm hopeful.  Has anyone had the same issue with hair loss/growth?  

[Angela63]

Hope you are doing well, I see your post was from May.

I have been so sick the last two years because I can not take any meds.  I am sick without the thyroid meds and when I take them I am either allergic.. or debilitated in other ways (with Synthroid and generic T4)  

Just wanted you to know.. every one will tell you a different story.  But I've been dealing with hair loss for two years... which has fluctuated.. It is at its worse now.  T4 thryroid replacement can cause constant hair loss (for some individuals)  For others it can lesson or stop after the adjustment period and it does take a few months to see benefits after you have your levels where they need to be.  Here is a post I posted on another thread.  Unfortunately I cannot take Armour, and that is in shortage now, but that is what works for most people.  Also, people that are treated with T4 only drugs... some of them after their levels are in the normal range still feel just as sick, and when they switch to Armour they fell like they have been given their life back.  I wish it worked for me!

My post:

I apologize, but I do not agree with almost everyone above.  I have been experiencing this problem for two years now.  I have gone off my meds, tried natural (I can not tolerate most thyroid meds... synthroid I can tolerate it, but the more I raise it the more debilitated I get)  Anyway... my hair started falling out when I was switched to Synthroid two years ago.. When I stopped it because of other issues, chest pains, palpitations, etc.. I was put on a minimal .12 amount (because of a bad head injury) but duruing that time I had awful hypo symptoms.... but I lost 15 pounds and my hair became full and healthy again.

You have to understand that your hair takes time before you see effects... 2 to three months... But if it is caused by the possible side effect of the synthroid, then if you stop the drug the hair loss stops.  Hypothyroidism causes your hair to thin badly.  I have that too because I am undermedicated.  

No, you will not go bald, but you can get severely thinning hair.  Most people that have this problem do better on a T3 T4 thyroid med.  Also, make sure your iron levels are good.  I take Evening Primrose Oil, which does not stop hair loss but nourishes the hair and helps soften it.... as hypothyroidism causes your hair to become dry brittle and break.  I also take 5,000 of biotin each day.  I was taking the capsules and there was no improvement after 6 months.  My dermatologist told me to take Matrix 5,000 from Amazon.  She said that the tablets are better absorbed by most people, so I am trying that now.  My hairline has receded also and I now break out or get these little bumps at my hairline.  

I can tell you from lowering and raising my meds (trying to get them up because I am hypersensitive) I have seen my hair improve and get worse.... it is at its worse now.  But what you see now, is a result of your course 1 to 3 months prior... My MD explained the 3 month shedding facts to me and that the synthroid was actually working and new hair was coming in... by the excellent Dermatologist I have been seeing said that everyone is different.  I have NO new hair on my head.. and synthroid causes some people to continuously loose hair...

I laughed when I read one of the responses here... at 46, yes I am vain about my hair!!! I plea... if I am going to be sick and feel so sick all the time... can't I do it with all my beautiful hair??? LOL

I find I have less hair loss using the hair product (WEN) its not harsh and helps with the brittleness and keeps your hair real soft.  I also put a shower filter in my shower (we have municipal water) to remove the chlorine.  I do not blow dry (haven't for 2 years now... I'd be bald if I did!)  I tried the Nioxin shampoos 2X as everyone swears by them, but even the set for processed hair leaves my hair so dry.  And it does not help... Nothing will truly help but getting your levels good, including ferritin... and choosing a thyroid med that does not cause hair loss for you.  Armour and Nature throid work for most... unfortunately I can't take either of them :(

Best of Luck!!