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277535 tn?1218136198

hairloss, estrogen, thyroid medication

I was just diagnosed as hypothyroid and put on 100 mcg of Levothyroxine.  My only symptoms are hair loss and skin problems.  Approx. 6 months ago I stopped taking birth control with estrogen and switched to a progesterone only pill (just stopped taking the pop b/c I thought it was causing hair loss which is why i went to the doctor in the first place). I want my hair to grow back and stop falling out and keep seeing that estrogen promotes hair growth. Is it okay to take birth control with estrogen even though estrogen can compete with thyroid hormones?  I am so confused about what to do and the doctors don't seem concerned with my hair loss.  I also am wondering if the start of my hair loss is related to stopping the birth control with estrogen.  Also, I have read that Levothyroxine (Synthroid) can actually cause hair loss, so what is another type of thyroid med that would be better?
Thanks!!  
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Avatar universal
I'm just curious. If you had normal thyroid function, why were you prescribed thyroid medication?
Helpful - 0
211563 tn?1189994510
I always appreciate your input and respect your opinions.  You're one smart lady and I tend to agree with you on the idea of weight gain from thyroid meds, etc.  I would probably be in the same camp on hairloss had it not been my own very recent experience.  
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Avatar universal
I am going by my prescription instructions that comes with the bottle of pills  from my pharmacy. However, if the hair loss is from the thyroid pills, its only a little hair loss and comes back quick.  However, it would be very difficult to distinguish (the hair cause) between the hair loss of from thyroid condition and hair loss from the medication.  
I tend to believe hair loss it from the thyroid condition rather than thyroid medication.  But that's my opinion, which is not 100% law! For we are not all alike.
Helpful - 0
211563 tn?1189994510
as someone who had NO symptom of hairloss and was completely Euthyroid prior to taking Levoxyl, I tend to believe that Levoxyl was the cause of my hairloss.
Helpful - 0
211563 tn?1189994510
BTW: I agree, hair does grow back... barring any dermatological abnormality, of course it does.  But what does it matter if it falls out faster than it grows in?
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211563 tn?1189994510
If you go to this link:http://www.kingpharm.com/kingpharm/uploads/pdf_inserts/Levoxyl_WebPI.pdf
on page 2 you will find: "11. Partial hair loss may occur rarely during the first few months of LEVOXYL® therapy, but this is usually temporary."  
on page 5 under "ADVERSE REACTIONS" you will find: "Dermatologic: hair loss, flushing;"

Ironically, on the main webpage here: http://www.levoxyl.com/patients/6.0_faq.asp#Q11

you will find:
11. Q. Is hair loss a side effect of Levoxyl®?
A. Hair loss and changes in hair texture and patterns can occur with thyroid problems.  Over active thyroid may cause hair to become fine and silky textured.  Under active thyroid may cause hair to be coarse, dry and brittle.  Hair loss may occur with both conditions.  It’s hard to tell if hair loss is a result of the thyroid treatment or the thyroid problem.  Some hair loss may occur during the first few months of thyroid treatment, but it is usually for a limited time.



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Avatar universal
To clarify, hypothyroid cause hair loss also. So under medicated can cause hypothyroid symptoms and hair loss is a symptoms of hypothyroid and not the medication, per se.

In other words, its not directly the medication, but the hypothyroid.

With a high TSH and low T-4 (FT-4 should be done) would indicated hypothyroidism. Perhaps you should go by the gyno for now until you can get into the endo. Once you are put on medication (low dose ands slow), go back to gyno every 6 weeks for test to make sure you are not over or under medicated. You should be ok until you get in to see endo.

If I were losing my hair that is what I would do, shave it all off ;) maybe get a cheap wig or wear a hat, winter is coming.  A cute hat.

Good luck - you are going to be ok!

Helpful - 0
277535 tn?1218136198
Thanks for your insights.  I have just started taking  Evening Primrose Oil...who knows what that will do but I am willing to try anything at this point!!  

I just wish I had the nerve to shave my head so I would quit crying every time I looked at the drain or my hair brush.  Although I am quite sure I can't pull off the shaved head look!!  

My gyno is the doctor who diagnosed me as hypo and I am trying to get an appointment with and endocrinologist but the nearest appointment I could get so far is in February.  I keep wondering if I should trust the gyno's prescription choices and my diagnosis.  I am not sure what my free T4 numbers were but by TSH was at 8 and they said my T4 was low according to the labs.  Being new to this, I didn't ask what my exact numbers for T4 were and if the were total or free values.  

I feel great except for the hair and skin issues and keep wondering if this is just a hormone problem.  I am so frustrated and I keep trying to educate myself but end up more confused.  

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Avatar universal
I take levoxyl and have taken Synthroid.  According to my prescription instructions and every thing that I have read, states to the effect:

Its not directly the medication, but over dosing on the medication can cause the same effects, i.e., symptoms, as hyperthyroid, and, hair loss is a symptoms of hyperthyroid.  

In other words, its the hyperthyroidism not the medication, per se.
Helpful - 0
211563 tn?1189994510
I HAVE read the prescribing info on Levoxyl and it DOES list hairloss as a side effect.  I do not know if synthroid has the same side effect, but I seem to recall it also lists hairloss as I looked into switching to it instead of Levoxyl when I started losing my hair.  

Some people recommend using Evening Primrose Oil (which is an estrogenic product) to help with the hairloss.  It didn't seem to help mine.  Other recommendations are Omega 3, Vitamin B, and Biotin.  I take a cocktail every day of the above mentioned vitamins.  My hairloss continued.  

Now, when you see that hairloss is a side effect on the prescribing information sheet from the manufacturer, you will also see that they list this as "usually temporary."  Not very comforting, but does give some hope that it will pass.  I have recently begun taking Cytomel with my levoxothyroxine and my hairloss is finally slowing down... It could be the cytomel, but it could just be coincidence that my hairloss was temporary as described.  I'll never know.  

Hope that helps and I hope your hairloss subsides soon.  I know how frustrating and saddening that is!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have never read where Synthyroid causes hair loss and its not listed as any of their side effects from the Mfg.  However, thyroid conditions can cause hair loss and IS one of the many symptoms.  

Its ok to take birth control with thyroid meds. spread apart from each other, but be sure when you have thyroid test done they do the FTs   (Frees). Estrogen does not interfere with the FTs but does interfere with the Ts (totals).

I personally don't know if there is a relationship between hair loss and stopping estrogen.

It takes time to heal from hair loss once your levels are right for you to feel your best or best as can be expected. Your hair will eventually come back.

Helpful - 0
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