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Hair, Eyebrow, Eyelash Loss and Very Dry Skin
Hi there,
I am a 28 years old female with no major health problems I am aware of. For two months now I've been experiencing severe hair loss ( half of the hair mass on the head is gone). I also noticed that I lose an unprecedented amount of eyelashes and eyebrows. It's been going on for few months, and I've never had it before. I practically gave up using mascara or eyebrow pencil because when I apply it I get at least 3-5 strands out. That's alarming considering that I am not a hairy type. I also notice lashes/eyebrows on my cheeks when I randomly look in the mirror. The eyebrows for instance are falling off in tiny patches, on the inward side mostly. The hair texture is generally now very thin and weak compared to even last year... a real slap on my self-confidence.
I avoid touching my face and try to use baby shampoos with fewer chemicals in them. I also get ocasional scalp breakouts ( never really had those before). My skin is also unprecedentedly dry, despite the organic oils I use to moisturize it. It feels like it's cracking.
I've seen my GP for this and he said I have Iron deficiency (7). I've been suspecting a thyroid disorder, but hormone tests came out ok. I was however diagnosed with uterine fibroids...but my GP wasn't able to connect the dots. I live in The Netherlands, where doctors are notorious to be somewhat laid back and ignorant of patients' concerns, so any help would be highly appreciated.
I now take Iron supplements, as well as B vitamin complex...oh and, I am not stressed and I am/haven't been pregnant; I don't take contraceptives either, and never had.
Thank you kindly!
Charlotte
I am a 28 years old female with no major health problems I am aware of. For two months now I've been experiencing severe hair loss ( half of the hair mass on the head is gone). I also noticed that I lose an unprecedented amount of eyelashes and eyebrows. It's been going on for few months, and I've never had it before. I practically gave up using mascara or eyebrow pencil because when I apply it I get at least 3-5 strands out. That's alarming considering that I am not a hairy type. I also notice lashes/eyebrows on my cheeks when I randomly look in the mirror. The eyebrows for instance are falling off in tiny patches, on the inward side mostly. The hair texture is generally now very thin and weak compared to even last year... a real slap on my self-confidence.
I avoid touching my face and try to use baby shampoos with fewer chemicals in them. I also get ocasional scalp breakouts ( never really had those before). My skin is also unprecedentedly dry, despite the organic oils I use to moisturize it. It feels like it's cracking.
I've seen my GP for this and he said I have Iron deficiency (7). I've been suspecting a thyroid disorder, but hormone tests came out ok. I was however diagnosed with uterine fibroids...but my GP wasn't able to connect the dots. I live in The Netherlands, where doctors are notorious to be somewhat laid back and ignorant of patients' concerns, so any help would be highly appreciated.
I now take Iron supplements, as well as B vitamin complex...oh and, I am not stressed and I am/haven't been pregnant; I don't take contraceptives either, and never had.
Thank you kindly!
Charlotte
It's crazy but I've missing all my locks again but not my eye-brows nor lashes. I also have dried-out epidermis and can seem to start some. I've had locks loss for Twenty decades and it's a frequent reoccurence. Still have a challenging periods being out in community areas w/out a ballcap on, but have done excellent w/ it. Wish everything performs out for you.
1 Comments
Hi, I know this thread is a little old, but I'm hoping you could give a follow up. My issue sounds very similar to yours. I'm a 21 year old female and during the last trimester of my pregnancy until now (1.5 years) I have had eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp hair shedding. I too thought it MUST be thyroid problems. I got blood work done and although my thyroid was a little low (but still in range) the biggest thing that came back was extremely low iron. I have been supplementing now for a while as well as eating a nutrient dense diet and the shedding continues. I know iron is one of those things that take a while to rebuil up especially if you were as low as me. Sometimes the shedding seems better on certain days and then seems bad again. Did you ever find the root cause for your hair loss? Has anything helped? I probably just need more patience, but figured I would ask anyway! Thanks!
I too was diagnosed as having a thyroid in normal range but the original test was not detailed enough. Because I hadn't felt right for some time and have had problems for many years with my hair and eyelashes being brittle and suddenly breaking off - I decided to finally pursue further testing with another doctor and find out what was going on. The additional testing revealed that I did have hypothyroidism and my T3 levels were too low which means my thyroid either isn't producing enough hormone or for some other reason my body isn't able to use or convert the thyroid hormone that my body is producing. (The thyroid and the issues and balances between the THS, T3 & T4 and Reverse T are so complex.....). This new doctor initially put me on a low dose of thyroid pills but my blood tests showed that I wasn't responding. He kept increasing my dosage for about 9 months. My hair stopped breaking off at first miraculously and started to grow where it had always broken off before. However as I increased the dose and then accidentally took way too high of a dose of DHEA which he also prescribed - suddenly my hair broke off again. (Be careful - any drastic fluctuation or change can cause more problems with your body and hair especially). I finally asked the doctor to do more testing - In my case there was another critical factor involved - I had very very low iodine levels. The thyroid cannot function correctly without iodine. Iodine is also critical for many other body processes necessary to be healthy in general including breast tissue, ovaries etc.. . Within a week of starting a prescribed dose of iodine/iodide supplementation my eyelashes which have been missing on the outer corners of both eyes for years - started growing back. Missing outer eyelashes and outer edges of eyebrow hair too are both classic thyroid related symptoms. I have been on the iodine/iodide and selenium supplements for a month or so now and don't know what my levels are yet as I am not due to get more testing for a few months. My doctor told me to gradually lower my thyroid pill dosage to no thyroid pills while I supplement with the iodine/iodide and selenium to see if this resolves the hypothyroidism. I feel pretty good, there is something about my hair that seems so much healthier. Since making this change. I also noticed one other major change - I used to have to have the heat turned on high and I was always cold to my core. Now - I rarely feel cold. That makes me feel hopeful that the iodine deficiency was ultimately the reason my thyroid couldn't function right - even with assistance from thyroid pills your body still needs iodine to work right
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NOTE - PLEASE DO NOT self prescribe iodine - too much can be TOXIC or can hurt your body and/or your thyroid too !!! ALSO - I have found from numerous sources that it is CRITICAL to also supplement with SELENIUM if you supplement with iodine/iodide. If you are low in selenium and take iodine it will also throw your body out of whack and be worse than just having low iodine/iodide. I see people suggesting 50 mg of iodine. That is much more than my doctor prescribed for me which is 12.5 mg/day of an iodine/iodide complex. I also take 200 mcg of selenium daily with the iodine.
The thyroid is a very complex gland and it's functioning is critical to a number of other organs and your health.. Iodine is so critical and the body cannot function without it. Iodine/iodide cannot be produced by the body - you have to get it from your diet (seafood, kelp, iodized salt) or supplementation. Many people are deficient due to depleted soil, low salt diets and Chloride, Fluoride, and bromide in our environment, food and water. These molecules are very similar to the iodine molecule and sometimes the thyroid can be tricked and it will take these other molecules onto the thyroid receptor sites instead of the iodine that your thyroid needs. (I am not a doctor or medical person - I've learned this info through research).
I would continue to pursue getting lab testing of your iodine and more in-depth thyroid blood tests of your T3 & T4 thyroid levels if you can convince your Doctor to give you the tests - you need this information to understand what is going on with your body and address it. At a minimum if you can't get him to test you - try taking natural sources of iodine and see if it makes you feel better and improves your hair. FYI - My iodine blood level was 24.6 with 40 - 90 being a normal range. Again - please be careful self diagnosing and treating yourself with iodine. I would also do internet searches concerning the iodine - thyroid connection to educate yourself on the connection. I will pray for you and hopefully your condition is something a simple as an iodine deficiency. Good luck - a friend in the USA.
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NOTE - PLEASE DO NOT self prescribe iodine - too much can be TOXIC or can hurt your body and/or your thyroid too !!! ALSO - I have found from numerous sources that it is CRITICAL to also supplement with SELENIUM if you supplement with iodine/iodide. If you are low in selenium and take iodine it will also throw your body out of whack and be worse than just having low iodine/iodide. I see people suggesting 50 mg of iodine. That is much more than my doctor prescribed for me which is 12.5 mg/day of an iodine/iodide complex. I also take 200 mcg of selenium daily with the iodine.
The thyroid is a very complex gland and it's functioning is critical to a number of other organs and your health.. Iodine is so critical and the body cannot function without it. Iodine/iodide cannot be produced by the body - you have to get it from your diet (seafood, kelp, iodized salt) or supplementation. Many people are deficient due to depleted soil, low salt diets and Chloride, Fluoride, and bromide in our environment, food and water. These molecules are very similar to the iodine molecule and sometimes the thyroid can be tricked and it will take these other molecules onto the thyroid receptor sites instead of the iodine that your thyroid needs. (I am not a doctor or medical person - I've learned this info through research).
I would continue to pursue getting lab testing of your iodine and more in-depth thyroid blood tests of your T3 & T4 thyroid levels if you can convince your Doctor to give you the tests - you need this information to understand what is going on with your body and address it. At a minimum if you can't get him to test you - try taking natural sources of iodine and see if it makes you feel better and improves your hair. FYI - My iodine blood level was 24.6 with 40 - 90 being a normal range. Again - please be careful self diagnosing and treating yourself with iodine. I would also do internet searches concerning the iodine - thyroid connection to educate yourself on the connection. I will pray for you and hopefully your condition is something a simple as an iodine deficiency. Good luck - a friend in the USA.
@Deelited - Thanks for your feedback. I will definitely insist on getting tested for thyroid again. It seems like the hormonal imbalance/ deficit triggers a bunch of other processes, like poor assimilation of certain nutrients, hence the deficit of Iron is very common in thyroid patients. Because Iron is directly related to hair growth, but also for functionality of other vital organs and blood production, the body prioritizes the Iron spending based on importance of either organ. Hair is no priority for body, so it gets impacted first. The body just doesn't assign the Iron to hair production, but to other functions instead.
Also wanted to say that I am really angry with doctors. Sometimes I think they are people with knowledge but little empathy, which makes them useless as doctors, because they don't listen to us. Hair is not just an important aesthetic part of our body, a hair disorder indicates other internal (important) issues. Our bodies are systems, a problem with an organ can have unexpected collateral effects.
I wish doctors were wiser!
@Packman13- as far as I know with alopecia the hair falls out in patches. It's not my case. I empathize with you, hair disorders can have a huge impact on self-confidence. I hope there's still a solution for your problem, and maybe someday it'll be over. Good luck!
Also wanted to say that I am really angry with doctors. Sometimes I think they are people with knowledge but little empathy, which makes them useless as doctors, because they don't listen to us. Hair is not just an important aesthetic part of our body, a hair disorder indicates other internal (important) issues. Our bodies are systems, a problem with an organ can have unexpected collateral effects.
I wish doctors were wiser!
@Packman13- as far as I know with alopecia the hair falls out in patches. It's not my case. I empathize with you, hair disorders can have a huge impact on self-confidence. I hope there's still a solution for your problem, and maybe someday it'll be over. Good luck!
It's funny but I've lost all my hair again but not my eyebrows nor eyelashes. I also have dry skin and can tend to break out some. I've had alopecia for 20 years and it's a common reoccurence. Still have a tough times being out in public w/out a ballcap on, but have done good w/ it. Hope everything works out for you.
Hi, I suffer from the same type of hair loss as you, including lashes and brows. It also hurts "a lot" if I pull my hair back, really sore when I let it out. This has been going on for years. Also have the dry skin.
I always suspected a thyroid probem but my TSH was normal so the dr's didnt want to do any further testing. I had to just keep going to different dr's until I finally found a one who did further testing and found I had TPO antibodies suggesting Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It was a real battle but I knew there was something wrong so I had to keep on knocking on different dr's doors. I am in Australia.
Due to the antibodies I was referred to an Endocrinologist who tested my Free T3 & Free T4. My FT4 was borderline low, but still within range however he advised my score should be in the mid to top end of the range and prescribed T4 replacement meds. As FurrballsMom said about the lab ranges, one size does not fit all but finding a dr who agrees with that statement is like pulling teeth.
We have labs in Australia where you can order your own blood tests so maybe that is a possibility where you are?? If not I can only advise to keep trying different dr's until you find one who will listen to your "symptoms" and not just rely on lab tests. It seems crazy that dr's dont listen to patients who describe symptoms, we know our own bodies for goodness sake, it is really frustrating.
I have only just started on the T4 meds so I cant advise if it is helping with my hair loss but I am feeling more energetic and my skin isnt as dry as it was.
Good Luck, hope you find a solution soon.
I always suspected a thyroid probem but my TSH was normal so the dr's didnt want to do any further testing. I had to just keep going to different dr's until I finally found a one who did further testing and found I had TPO antibodies suggesting Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It was a real battle but I knew there was something wrong so I had to keep on knocking on different dr's doors. I am in Australia.
Due to the antibodies I was referred to an Endocrinologist who tested my Free T3 & Free T4. My FT4 was borderline low, but still within range however he advised my score should be in the mid to top end of the range and prescribed T4 replacement meds. As FurrballsMom said about the lab ranges, one size does not fit all but finding a dr who agrees with that statement is like pulling teeth.
We have labs in Australia where you can order your own blood tests so maybe that is a possibility where you are?? If not I can only advise to keep trying different dr's until you find one who will listen to your "symptoms" and not just rely on lab tests. It seems crazy that dr's dont listen to patients who describe symptoms, we know our own bodies for goodness sake, it is really frustrating.
I have only just started on the T4 meds so I cant advise if it is helping with my hair loss but I am feeling more energetic and my skin isnt as dry as it was.
Good Luck, hope you find a solution soon.
1 Comments
Has your hair started growing back. It's been some years since you posted but what you are describing is exactly my symptoms
Yeah, I understand what you mean about the GP sending you to an endocrinologist. I'm having the same problem. I'm not losing the massive amounts of hair but I have all the other issues you're talking about, and I'm sort of stuck in limbo, too. I do hope someone offers a better solution, and I'm certainly interested just as much for myself.
I think the problem is what I've been learning from the natural doctors I learned about through medhelp. I watched the webinars (web seminars) they put online for people to watch. The only trick has been to sign up for them. That's how I learned how one said I might be better off taking the iodine and forgetting the TSH, free T3, free T4 and thyroid antibody tests. Most doctors won't take any of the tests other than the TSH if the TSH tests within the "normal" guidelines. Well, the natural doctors I watched online used the metaphor of a "test" for what was considered "normal" for one's shoe size. Well, sure the average shoe size might be a certain size, but it isn't going to be the right fit for the individual. So, that's where people like you and I end up if we test "normal", because we still end up with the wrong sized shoe, if you're following this metaphor. Makes sense to me.
I am at a loss of what else your issue could be caused from if it's not the thyroid. And, yeah, getting the whole range of thyroid tests done is like pulling teeth here for me, too. So, I totally understand where you're coming from on that one, as it's been like that for me, too.
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I think the problem is what I've been learning from the natural doctors I learned about through medhelp. I watched the webinars (web seminars) they put online for people to watch. The only trick has been to sign up for them. That's how I learned how one said I might be better off taking the iodine and forgetting the TSH, free T3, free T4 and thyroid antibody tests. Most doctors won't take any of the tests other than the TSH if the TSH tests within the "normal" guidelines. Well, the natural doctors I watched online used the metaphor of a "test" for what was considered "normal" for one's shoe size. Well, sure the average shoe size might be a certain size, but it isn't going to be the right fit for the individual. So, that's where people like you and I end up if we test "normal", because we still end up with the wrong sized shoe, if you're following this metaphor. Makes sense to me.
I am at a loss of what else your issue could be caused from if it's not the thyroid. And, yeah, getting the whole range of thyroid tests done is like pulling teeth here for me, too. So, I totally understand where you're coming from on that one, as it's been like that for me, too.
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Yes, but I am not certain it's the thyroid. It's definitely my number one suspect though. I take Iron, Iodine and B vitamins now.
Getting diagnosed for thyroid properly is like pulling off teeth..I'm having difficulty with my GP, he just will not send me to an endocrinologist. In The Netherlands the patient can't go to a specialist if the GP doesn't give you a letter.
I am desperate, I lost half my hair mass and it's still falling!
Getting diagnosed for thyroid properly is like pulling off teeth..I'm having difficulty with my GP, he just will not send me to an endocrinologist. In The Netherlands the patient can't go to a specialist if the GP doesn't give you a letter.
I am desperate, I lost half my hair mass and it's still falling!
My thyroid test always come back "normal", too, but I've learned that this doesn't necessarily mean that the one size fits all thyroid tests are accurate for the individual. Those test guidelines are extremely strict. I happen to test "normal" myself, but my iodine is definely low. I myself am going to try what I've been learning from some natural doctors I've learned about through medhelp what they've been taking themselves. Usually, 50 mg of iodine, unless they feel especially bad that day, then it is 100 mg of iodine. Conventional doctors would panic at the suggestion, but then the reasonable question still has to be: Then, why are so many people in our country iodine deficient?
This isn't the same as the iodine that peope are panicking about going to get with the fears from the Japanese nuclear disaster. Don't even consider getting that stuff unless the officials recommend it. I do think it's still possible we'll get radiation from Japan, but there is no sense in panicking about that. So, the iodine I'm talking about is just the ordinary iodine, not the stuff that people who have been panicking have been going out to get even without the officials recommendations. This is entirely different and would be taken without all that panic.
I have similar issues with the iron, too. I have to use the chelated iron, because the prescription forms make me sick. I also found out from a friend that it is important which B complex you take. So long as you're not getting ill effects from taking the one you've been taking, it should be fine, but some of us, like me and my friend, are especially sensitive to which B complex formula we take.
I would certainly consider using the iodine one can get from a supplement store/health food type store in the amount I already mentioned. I'm going to start doing this myself as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so.
This isn't the same as the iodine that peope are panicking about going to get with the fears from the Japanese nuclear disaster. Don't even consider getting that stuff unless the officials recommend it. I do think it's still possible we'll get radiation from Japan, but there is no sense in panicking about that. So, the iodine I'm talking about is just the ordinary iodine, not the stuff that people who have been panicking have been going out to get even without the officials recommendations. This is entirely different and would be taken without all that panic.
I have similar issues with the iron, too. I have to use the chelated iron, because the prescription forms make me sick. I also found out from a friend that it is important which B complex you take. So long as you're not getting ill effects from taking the one you've been taking, it should be fine, but some of us, like me and my friend, are especially sensitive to which B complex formula we take.
I would certainly consider using the iodine one can get from a supplement store/health food type store in the amount I already mentioned. I'm going to start doing this myself as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so.
Also, I practically can't bear when my hair is pulled back in a pony tail. It hurts a lot!
Also, when the hair falls out it comes out with the root altogether, typically has a while bulb at the root of the hair.
Also, when the hair falls out it comes out with the root altogether, typically has a while bulb at the root of the hair.
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