Aa
hair loss
I wonder if someone out there can help me. I have Hashimoto's, low ferritin, low B12 and low calcium. I was also told my my dermo I have Telogen Effluvium. I've been on iron sups for for 9 months now. The first 6 I took only one supplement and then increased to two iron supplements in Jan 11 . I take my iron with juice and extra C too. My feritin is at 37.5 I am on 50mcg of Synthroid and 5mcgs of Cytomel T4. I am at a loss as I am doing everyting in my power to help stop this hair loss. I take a very good brand of whole food vitamins, B12, 4000mcg Biotin, B complex, Hair Skin & Nail vitamins, Vit D...I pop pills all day long. I sleep 7.5 hrs a night. I've practially eliminated gluten from my diet. I eat salmon and lean meats. No soda, coffee, tea. I drink a 1/2 gallon of water each day. I use top salon shampoos. My hair was a bush 2 years ago and now I can almost see through it. What am I doing wrong or what can I do to make this stop?. I've spent a fortune I didn't have on products to stop this. Should I see another doctor and what kind of doctor would I see? I feel know is being helpful and I'm always asked to come back in 3 months. Thank you
The very best diagnostic for thyroid issues, is also the oldest. It is called symptoms. Following that, in order of importance is free T3 and then free T4. TSH comes in way behind all of those and even a few others such as the thyroid antibodies tests TPO ab and TG ab. A good thyroid doctor will treat a patient clinically by testing and adjusting free T3 and free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important.
Free T3 is the most important thyroid hormone test because FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Studies have also shown that FT3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate. So if you haven't been tested for free T3 and free T4 (not the same as total T3 and total T4) then you should request that those be tested. If the doctor resists, then you should insist on it and not take no for an answer. Remember that you are the customer. Just to cover one other possibility I would also suggest that you be tested for reverse T3.
If you will get that done and get a copy of the lab report and post the results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, then members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Regarding the thyroflex test, I would want to be convinced that the test results show some correlation to hypo symptoms before I would go down that path. We already know the utility of FT3 and FT4 testing, and that test results that fall into the lower part of those reference ranges are consistent with still being hypo and in need of increased medication. So I would recommend that approach first.
Free T3 is the most important thyroid hormone test because FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Studies have also shown that FT3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate. So if you haven't been tested for free T3 and free T4 (not the same as total T3 and total T4) then you should request that those be tested. If the doctor resists, then you should insist on it and not take no for an answer. Remember that you are the customer. Just to cover one other possibility I would also suggest that you be tested for reverse T3.
If you will get that done and get a copy of the lab report and post the results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, then members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Regarding the thyroflex test, I would want to be convinced that the test results show some correlation to hypo symptoms before I would go down that path. We already know the utility of FT3 and FT4 testing, and that test results that fall into the lower part of those reference ranges are consistent with still being hypo and in need of increased medication. So I would recommend that approach first.
http://houseofhealth.co.nz/services/testing/thyroflex-for-measuring-thyroid-function/
It tests something like inner muscle or tissue reflex, not individual hormones. So I dont think a doctor can get specific #s for T4 or T3 using this machine.
It tests something like inner muscle or tissue reflex, not individual hormones. So I dont think a doctor can get specific #s for T4 or T3 using this machine.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Cytomel is a T3 only med and will not affect your T4 levels, only T3. Does this Thyroflex, only test for T4? Not TSH or T3? And is that Free T4, or total? There's a big difference. Do you take a T4 med as well, as the cytomel?
Optimal ranges are what's right for your body. Lab reports come with a reference range (these vary from lab to lab), for each parameter, but these are only guidelines. Some of us need to be at the top of those ranges, some at the bottom and some may even need to be out of range.
Optimal ranges are what's right for your body. Lab reports come with a reference range (these vary from lab to lab), for each parameter, but these are only guidelines. Some of us need to be at the top of those ranges, some at the bottom and some may even need to be out of range.
Thanks everyone for your responses but unfortunatley I don't have a current copy of my Thyroid test. The test I take is one not from a blood draw but via a machine, It's called a Thyroflex test and it gives you your results in minutes. My test on 6/10 showed my T4 to high so I reduced the Cytomel dosage and from that point I was feeling fine. My most recent test was done 12/10 and I do not have a hard copy. I am scheduled for a test again in May. After asking many questions during my last visit with the doctor she assured me I was in an optimal range and should not mess with upping or lowering my meds. Over all I have to say I feel fine. I exercise 5x a week and as mentioned I watch everything I do. It's this hair loss that's making me crazy. My doctor specializes in Thyroid and is well known. She's appeared on Dr. Oz and the Today show and I'm confident she is providing me good heath care but because my hair won't stop falling I have to beleive there is still a missing link. My insurance doesn't even cover this so everyting is out of pocket and I'm going broke. 2 years ago I went to my family doctor with symptoms and all she wanted to do was put me on prozac. It wasn't until 1.5 years later she decided to set me up with a thyroid test and that's when I found out...but low and behold there was a lot more to it and I had to find a specialist. If I'm even a tab bit out of range would that still cause my hair to continue to fall? Can anyone tell me what to optimal ranges are? I try to educate myself and be cohesive about what all of this is but frankly I've never had to worry about any sicknesses. I have been healthy all my life and now it seems everything is hitting me all at once.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, spending money on hair products etc, is money down the drain:-Literally!
Hashimoto's is an auto immune disease and it creates a hypo state. What happens is that the things in our bodies which aren't life saving go into type of dormancy to save energy. Hair follicles take a lot of the cell reproduction energy and so therefore, it gets shut down. Hairs fall out and are not replaced till the body sees that all is hunky-dory again.
You sound like you are doing the best you can to help yourself in eating right and taking all the right vitamins, but the truth of the matter is untill you get those thryoid levels to behave then you won't be seeing any results in the hair department.
There is enough research to show that top brand vitamins are not any better than cheaper brands. Many of the vitamins are excreted in the urine as the body doesn't absorb a tablet as easily as the real deal, ie fruits and vegies.
Cheers!
Hashimoto's is an auto immune disease and it creates a hypo state. What happens is that the things in our bodies which aren't life saving go into type of dormancy to save energy. Hair follicles take a lot of the cell reproduction energy and so therefore, it gets shut down. Hairs fall out and are not replaced till the body sees that all is hunky-dory again.
You sound like you are doing the best you can to help yourself in eating right and taking all the right vitamins, but the truth of the matter is untill you get those thryoid levels to behave then you won't be seeing any results in the hair department.
There is enough research to show that top brand vitamins are not any better than cheaper brands. Many of the vitamins are excreted in the urine as the body doesn't absorb a tablet as easily as the real deal, ie fruits and vegies.
Cheers!
COMMUNITY LEADER
While there are many things that can cause hair loss, it's usually worse for thyroid patients when they are hypo, and once medication is adjusted properly, the hair loss stops.
As gimel said, it would help us if you could post your latest thyroid test results, along with the reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own report.
As gimel said, it would help us if you could post your latest thyroid test results, along with the reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own report.
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