dementia and hypothyroidism

[mseid]

My 83 yr old mother suffers from dementia, mental confusion, anxiety, and depression.  She is loosing the hair in her eyebrows which is a symptom for hypothyroidism.  Her TSH has been low, less than 1, in blood tests over the last 5 yrs, but her doc says that is within the normal range and she does not have a thyroid problem.  What else can cause eyebrow hair loss?  Anyone know if there could be a link here, even with "normal" TSH?  Thanks.

[ifupleze]

I  would consult another doctor.  She might have adrenal failure.  Adrenal failure or fatigue has most of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism.  This in turn can cause the thyroid to not do its job well.  Have her blood tested for DHEA, cortisol, Vit D, B12 and a full metabolic panel.  She might be deficient any any of these areas.

[kitty9309]

I would ask for her b12 levels to be checked.
Low b12 is common in the elderly and can cause dementia-like symptoms, anxiety, depression and confusion.
Iron deficiency can cause hair loss. The best test for this is the ferritin test.
A TSH of less than 1 is normal as long as it is above 0.3/0.4.

[Christy1950]

With older patients they are usually low on everything including vitimins and minerals I would 1) get her a full blood test and 2) get her a good liquid vitimin and mineral tonic. A good mineral tonic is Neways Minerals my mother around the same age takes it and her hair has gone back to brown except for a few streaks here and there from being white grey with a month.