hair loss

[flyers1]

I have been on Levoxyl for 2.5 months and am loosing my hair at a drastic rate. This is very upsetting. I was diagnosed with tyroid cancer in Sept so I have to be on name brand meds. I have spoken with my endo and pcp and both say that my levels are fine and that it isn't an effect of the meds. I disagree. I never had a problem with hair loss until after I started on thyroid meds. I am taking the primrose oil but haven't seen any change. How do I get the docs to listen to me? I am 39 and have been having a hard enough time dealing with having had cancer and this is not helping. I have to be on this medication for the rest of my life and  I'm not handling knowing that my hair will be coming out forever. I don't know what to do. I used to have such nice hair. I don't even want to leave the house I'm so embaressed by how I look.

[ifupleze]

I can tell you that hair loss is just one of the symptoms of thyroid disease.  You might try taking (believe it or not) prenatal vitamins at least 4 hours after your thyroid meds.  They  have essential vitamins in them that protect somehow against hair loss.  This is something I experienced being low thyroid, but as my TSH levels are getting better, my hair has almost stopped coming out.  Just a suggestion and I would ask your doctor what he thinks, first.  Hope this helps.

[kitty9309]

Hair loss can also be a side effect of a change in metabolic status- as in adjusting to being euthyroid ( if you are).
Give it some time and make sure the TSH is at the right level. I've read that with thyroid cancer the TSH is supposed to be supressed.
I understand about hair loss- unfortunately.

Kitty

[beckyf800]

I posted a simular concern on 12/29\07 & in all the yrs/26 I.ve been on Thryriond replacement med , this is the 1st time I have ever heard about hair loss, & the 1st time I have EVER had it happen to me, & its is scary the heck out of me, I have even saved all my hair loss for the last week to show my Cardi, PA, Hemo, & my Nuero. Now my PA says my TSH level (just had checked) is fine & has no explanation, was very shocked to see the amt of hair, the others will be seeing on upcoming visits/Mon/Feb.

I'm just wandering why after all these yrs this would just now start?

thanks for the prenatal vit idea, gona see if Dr will agree to that

[kitty9309]

I've also recently read that low ferritin (with or w/o anemia) can cause hair loss. Apparently, ferritin should be over 50 ideally. Mine has been 9 and 14 in the last 6 months.

Just something else to ponder...

Kitty

[beckyf800]

I must have my PA wandering now he just called wants to runs some more test in the am, he'll explain before the test, now what is ferritin, should I maybe mention this to him?

[kitty9309]

Hi

Ferritin is the storage protein for iron. Ferritin is the iron you have in store for future use. When the ferritin is low, you can be iron deficient even if you are not anemic (yet).

Most docs just run a CBC (complete blood count) to determine if someone has anemia. The ferritin gives a true picture of iron stores even before the CBC is abnormal.

Hope this helps some.

Kitty

[beckyf800]

Wow! lol, learn something new every day. I'm guessing he will do a CBC,

thanks for that info

[hyper_what?]

This is what I'm afraid of: Losing MORE hair after surgery.   ACK.  I've always had really THICK hair and its really thinned out in the past 8 months. I surely don't want to lose more, but pretty well can say I will due to shock of the system.

[flyers1]

I think that my ferritan level was slightly low but my pcp didn't think that was the problem. My endo just blew it off and said that it wasn't a concern and that the hair loss is due to something else since my levels were fine. She continues to tell me that hair loss is only a sign of hypo and since my levels are good it isn't that. She told me to see my pcp. She is supposed to be one of the best endo's in dealing with thyroid cancer but I can't seem to get her to listen to me. My husband wants me to stay with her (being one of the best) but I am getting very frustrated. I see my pcp again on Fri for another issue but I plan on having a list to present her with. I will ask her about the pre-natal vitamins. The past 3 days have been VERY bad. Handfuls are coming out all day long. I am getting very depressed. I don't look like myself anymore. I don't know what to do. A friend recomended that  I try an all natural shampoo and conditioner from an all natural store. She said that they help to keep the follicals clean. Any thoughts on that?? Can a dermatologist help?? I just don't know where to turn. I know that I have to be patient and give my body time to adjust but how long will that be? I still can't believe that all of this has happened.
I do want to thank all of you for your help. I pray everyday that the falling out stops.

[kitty9309]

It will take more time if the hair loss is due to the hypo. Your body has benn through a lot, and that alone can cause hair loss.

A derm may be of help with the ferritin issue. The websites I see when I do a search are mostly hairloss/derm websites. Try a search using ferritin and hair loss and see what comes up.

I may be seeing a hematologist- not sure yet. A few other have suggested I do that. Everyone assumes women should have low ferritin because they menstruate. It just isn't good to have iron stores that low and always hover on becoming anemic. My PCP acted like I was a hypochondriac when I requested b12 and iron testing. Of course both  of these can be deficient with hypothyroidism.

My hair is growing back since the summer, but I started Synthroid and began iron supplements, nothing high, just a little more than the RDA. My multi doesn't have iron in it, so I add it alongside at night. It doesn't upset my stomach if I do that and won't interfere with the Synthroid I take in the am.

Hope this helps.

Kitty