Symptom?

[AKC_75]

Does anyone know if hair loss is a symptom?

I've been losing my hair for a couple of years now and just realized in the past week that it is VERY thin...to thin! :-(

[kwalker0004]

I dont know if its a symptom or not. But one year I had headaches and migraines so bad I thought it was the cause of the weight of my hair. I am 5'4" and I was able to walk on my hair. After one week of straight headaches and no answers I told my dad to take me somewhere I could donate my hair to the wig foundation. I then had them completely shave my head. Trust it was the worst mistake in my life but it did help with the headaches for a month. Then they were back. But I still dont have my beautiful long hair anymore. Its about midway down my back but its all good. I was able to help a few people who actually lost their hair to cancer and mine grew back. But I wish I knew what I know now then I would of been more prepared.

[selmaS]

  I had testing of my thyroid that was also "normal".....they tend to only look at TSH....with those with Chiari we tend to have auto immune conditions so to rule out a auto immune thyroid condition they need to test Free T3 and Free T4 and TPO antibodies...along with TSH.....

And with this condition as with Chiari the symptoms can cycle...and change...so u can test hyper on one test and normal the next and then hypo the next...it is ever changing...and has a lot of symptoms.

Another test to help rule out this condition is an ultra sound of the thyroid to see if u have ne nodules....luckily for me, I was having an ultra sound of my carotid arteries bcuz of heart palps....and something was seen on my thyroid....if not for that test I still might not know I have a thyroid condition.

[AKC_75]

My PCP tests my thyroid every few months and is normal so far. The hair loss has been going on a couple of yrs now. However, I was on Topamax for yearrrs. Probably 5 yrs, maybe longer. So, I bet that is it. Thanks!

[selmaS]

  Meds is one more thing to consider with this issue ,...not sure which meds may cause this issue, but keep in mind we all may react differently to meds so it may not even be a listed side effect but if u have it report it to ur Dr asap.

As for not having a Dr willing to do the full testing for an auto immune thyroid issue, don't even get me started ....ugh...I went to specialists for thyroid and they refused testing and then when they did refused to medicate once it was found....so I hear u.....in going back to my PCP he was more then willing to do the 6 month blood levels and thyroid ultra sound and medicate when levels dictated them.

[AnnieDear]

I started losing lots of hair after 4 weeks on Topamax. I stopped the med in June of last year, but still lose hair. Don't know if it's a symptom or not, though. After many requests, my PCP agreed to test my thyroid, but it was only one aspect. When I got the results, I asked why he didn't test fully, to rule out conditions like Hashimoto's. I kid you not, he laughed at me and told me that's not something I have to worry about. So good luck and I hope your doc is better than mine in this area ;)

Annie

[selmaS]

  Post op we can see a loss of hair as surgery is a trauma to the body....but, if it  is over time u will want to look at the possibility being a thyroid related condition like Hashimoto's Thryroiditis.