Diffused hair loss and thinning possibly linked to hypo-thyroidism

[cquasar]

Hi guys!

I am Quasar and I hail from Mumbai city, India. I am 28 years of age, my weight is 74kg (163 lbs) and height 5'6''. I have a decent work life and a great set of friends, family.

Experience with Hair Loss
I have had hair-loss for the last 6 years. My hair fall has been diffused. My frontal hairline is still intact with thick hair and therefore frames the face well.

I am thin on the top, have a few scars on sides(no thinning), dense hair at first but sparse towards the end in my donor, but its coarse(no thinning). My donor is stable though. Since I am a diffused, I would say I am a II-III on the Ludwig scale.

Diet and medication
My diet is good, great metabolism too! I am a non-vegetarian, consume meat/fish/eggs. I have a good amount of green vegetables too. Medication - I have begun with the following regimen for the last 1 month. Applying Minoxidil(Dr. Reddy's) 5% twice a day + Finasteride 1mg/day to  arrest/slow down the shedding. I cycle and go to the gym as well.

I have read on the Internet hypothyroidism causes diffused thinning all over. Around 7 months back, I had taken these tests and here are the results :

T3 : 0.941 ng/dl Normal values : 0.8 to 2.0
T4 : 6.13 ug/dl Normal values : 5.1 to 14.1
Ultra TSH : 10.24 ulU/ml Normal values : 0.27 to 4.2
TPO Antibodies (Positive)155.62 U/ml normal : Negative <5.61
Thyroglobulin antibodies : Negative (0.78).   Normal : negative <4.11
FT3 : 3.00 pg/ml. Range : 2.02-4.43
FT4 : 1.19 ng/DL. Euthyroid Range : 0.93-1.7

This was in November, 2014. Now, I didn't visit a thyroid doctor then. But, I start with a low dosage of Thyroxine Sodium 25 mcg(T4).

Should I get the above tests done again along with Ferritin, Vitamin D and B12 and visit a thyroid doctor? I would like to bring a complete stop to this gradual hair thinning and shedding. Would it help? Also, should I stop the medication before undergoing the tests?

Look forward to your replies!

Thanks!

[gimel]

You should continue the thyroid medicine and look to increase it at your next appointment with the doctor.  You want to get your Free T4 up to the middle of its range, at minimum, and your Free T3 into the upper third of its range, as necessary to relieve symptoms.  Vitamin D and ferritin will help get the maximum benefit from your thyroid levels.  Also, low ferritin can cause hair loss.  So it is important to get D, B12 and ferritin to optimal levels.  

[cquasar]

Hi gimmel,

Thanks a tonne for such a detailed reply. Should I continue the medicine and undergo the tests? Also, will ferritin or vitamin D stop or partially improve my hair thinning problem?

I am worried! :D

Thanks,
Quasar C.

[gimel]

The antibodies tests show that you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously determines that the thyroid gland is foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  As that proceeds, the output of thyroid hormone is diminished and the T4 and T3 levels go down, with resulting hypothyroid symptoms, and the need to gradually increase thyroid medication.  

It appears that your T4 and T3 tests are for Total T4 and Total T3.  For the future it would be better to always get tested for Free T4 and Free T3, which are the biologically active portions of the Totals.  Also, Free T3 correlates best with hypo symptoms.

You should continue with the thyroid med.  It is a small starter dose and will have to be gradually increased as necessary to relieve symptoms.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH results when already taking thyroid med.  You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.  

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

I would get the Free T4 and the Free T3 tests done again so that you can see where you are now.  Many members say that symptom relief required Free T4 at the middle of its range, at minimum, and Free T3 in the upper third of its range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms.  You also need to test for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  D needs to be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin about 70 minimum.  You can supplement for those as needed to optimize.  Adequate ferritin is important for good hair growth.  A deficiency in either of the 3 can cause symptoms.  Low D or ferritin can adversely affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  

You also need to find out if your doctor is going to be willing to treat clinically, as described above.  If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.