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Help with Hair Loss
Does anyone have any helpful hints to help fight hair loss? I am having bad hypo symptoms and am fighting with my doctor regarding treatment. One symptom is that my hair is falling out. My part is getting wider and wider. I am already overweight. Bald would not make a very pretty package. Are there any supplements or at home remedies to help battle this problem until I get my thyroid hormones stable? Will it grow back if I get everything in good working order?
Thank you in advance for your very helpful replies.
Thank you in advance for your very helpful replies.
I agree with Goolarra, if your doctor refuses to test the Frees every time, find another. Otherwise you cannot know how much thyroid hormone is actually available for use or if you are having a resistance or conversion problem.
Have you had a metabolic panel recently ? I convinced my primary doctor to allow me a trial of T3 because my cholesterol was so elevated from its usual good low norm and my eGfr and creatinine (kidney function) levels were low when they had historically been fine. Some other labs associated with thyroid disorder and symptoms were also off, and I was losing bone density. My blood pressure was elevated when it was usually in a good low level and my body temperature was low when it had been normal.
I told my doctor that it wasn't going to kill me to take T3 for a few months and that if I was right and did need it, it would be reflected in my metabolic labs returning to normal as well as relief of symptoms. She allowed me to add Cytomel to the T4 I was already taking......and exactly what I suspected occurred. For instance, my cholesterol dropped from 220 back down to 163 without changing my diet or exercise. She sends me to endos who freak out about my almost non-existant TSH. They've insisted on lowering my meds, resulting in immediate return of symptoms (I've lost my hair 3 times now) and worsening of the metabolics. So now I just point to my most recent metabolic panel and ask them how they can argue with me when the ONLY variable is thyroid hormone replacement ??? And my primary doctor, who at least SEES what happens to my body when my meds are lowered (gain 15 lbs. in 3 weeks ? yep.Severely depressed, uh huh. Lips crack no matter how much balm is applied, why yes. And oh, here's a ziploc of hair that fell out last week, btw.) has just worked with me to achieve proper dosage regardless of TSH by using the Free levels. She's disgusted with the endos, even though she's nervous to be working beyond her medical knowledge. I take her in print-outs from medical journals to show her we're on the right track. It's still difficult, and being my own endo is scary.But I now feel energetically well and the symptoms have mostly receded.
I don't have Hashi's, but I DO have a multi-nodular thyroid and my sister has Hashi's. She does fine on Synthroid alone...I need Cytomel added. It's very individual, and any doctor who doesn't use the Free tests is an obsolete practitioner. My best advice to everyone is to keep a record of ALL your labs, not just your thyroid labs. Learn how your thyroid affects how your body functions and pay attention to those things in light of the results of your metabolics and bone density. Always note what your dosage of thyroid meds is on your labs so you can chart your progress. Keep up with the latest research.
It's a long road and we are forced to be very proactive. Good luck.
Have you had a metabolic panel recently ? I convinced my primary doctor to allow me a trial of T3 because my cholesterol was so elevated from its usual good low norm and my eGfr and creatinine (kidney function) levels were low when they had historically been fine. Some other labs associated with thyroid disorder and symptoms were also off, and I was losing bone density. My blood pressure was elevated when it was usually in a good low level and my body temperature was low when it had been normal.
I told my doctor that it wasn't going to kill me to take T3 for a few months and that if I was right and did need it, it would be reflected in my metabolic labs returning to normal as well as relief of symptoms. She allowed me to add Cytomel to the T4 I was already taking......and exactly what I suspected occurred. For instance, my cholesterol dropped from 220 back down to 163 without changing my diet or exercise. She sends me to endos who freak out about my almost non-existant TSH. They've insisted on lowering my meds, resulting in immediate return of symptoms (I've lost my hair 3 times now) and worsening of the metabolics. So now I just point to my most recent metabolic panel and ask them how they can argue with me when the ONLY variable is thyroid hormone replacement ??? And my primary doctor, who at least SEES what happens to my body when my meds are lowered (gain 15 lbs. in 3 weeks ? yep.Severely depressed, uh huh. Lips crack no matter how much balm is applied, why yes. And oh, here's a ziploc of hair that fell out last week, btw.) has just worked with me to achieve proper dosage regardless of TSH by using the Free levels. She's disgusted with the endos, even though she's nervous to be working beyond her medical knowledge. I take her in print-outs from medical journals to show her we're on the right track. It's still difficult, and being my own endo is scary.But I now feel energetically well and the symptoms have mostly receded.
I don't have Hashi's, but I DO have a multi-nodular thyroid and my sister has Hashi's. She does fine on Synthroid alone...I need Cytomel added. It's very individual, and any doctor who doesn't use the Free tests is an obsolete practitioner. My best advice to everyone is to keep a record of ALL your labs, not just your thyroid labs. Learn how your thyroid affects how your body functions and pay attention to those things in light of the results of your metabolics and bone density. Always note what your dosage of thyroid meds is on your labs so you can chart your progress. Keep up with the latest research.
It's a long road and we are forced to be very proactive. Good luck.
If your doctor only wants to test TSH, s/he's not a very good thyroid doctor. FT4 and FT3 have to be tested every time, and FT3 and FT4 levels should be manipulated until your symptoms are relieved regardless of TSH. Your FT4 from January was really pretty good...very close to midrange, so if you're still not feeling well, the answer is almost certainly in your FT3 level. If this doctor won't test it and treat with T3 meds, find one that will and get well! Best of luck!
I will stop on my way to work to get the supplements you mention. Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Goolara thank you for posting. I forgot to put labs. Should have known better. I just had them in a previous post. Thanks again.
Goolara thank you for posting. I forgot to put labs. Should have known better. I just had them in a previous post. Thanks again.
I was diagnosed with Hashi's about two years ago. When first diagnosed my TSH was about a 4.560. I have been on Synthroid for the entire two years. The dosages have went up and down. My most recent bloodwork is listed here. The endocrinologist only tested the TSH and Free T4 in January.
TSH 2.520 (0.450-4.500)
FT4 1.39 (0.82-1.77)
Then in June only did TSH
TSH 3.240 (0.450-4.500)
My vitamin D I think is on the lower side: 44 (32-100)---25-Hydroxy, Vitamin D
I just recently begged my doctor to do a Free T3 because my symptoms are so bad but she ordered a TSH, FT4, and total T3. I do not have those results. I am hoping and begging that she let me try the Cytomel in a small dosage to see if it helps with symptoms. I will post my new results when I receive them. Doctor is not in until Friday.
TSH 2.520 (0.450-4.500)
FT4 1.39 (0.82-1.77)
Then in June only did TSH
TSH 3.240 (0.450-4.500)
My vitamin D I think is on the lower side: 44 (32-100)---25-Hydroxy, Vitamin D
I just recently begged my doctor to do a Free T3 because my symptoms are so bad but she ordered a TSH, FT4, and total T3. I do not have those results. I am hoping and begging that she let me try the Cytomel in a small dosage to see if it helps with symptoms. I will post my new results when I receive them. Doctor is not in until Friday.
Dear Robin,
Yes, please post your labs. Reaching your optimum levels should stop the hair loss, and eventually your hair should mostly re-grow.
I lost about 1/3 of my hair on the top of my head, originally. And I experience radical loss whenever an endo, concerned about my non-existent TSH, insists I lower my meds, never mind that my Frees are at good levels.
In growing the hair back, I've found some supplements that are specifically for hair and are included, along with others, in my daily routine. I've found that they help.
Most beneficial for hair are:
Biotin, Evening Primrose Oil, Silica, and MSM.
The Vitamins A, E, and D also provide support but are not specifically for hair. Ashwahganda, an Indian herb, supports the thyroid and because of that also contributes to healthy hair.
Best Wishes......it may take a while, but it will grow back when you are healthier. good luck.
Yes, please post your labs. Reaching your optimum levels should stop the hair loss, and eventually your hair should mostly re-grow.
I lost about 1/3 of my hair on the top of my head, originally. And I experience radical loss whenever an endo, concerned about my non-existent TSH, insists I lower my meds, never mind that my Frees are at good levels.
In growing the hair back, I've found some supplements that are specifically for hair and are included, along with others, in my daily routine. I've found that they help.
Most beneficial for hair are:
Biotin, Evening Primrose Oil, Silica, and MSM.
The Vitamins A, E, and D also provide support but are not specifically for hair. Ashwahganda, an Indian herb, supports the thyroid and because of that also contributes to healthy hair.
Best Wishes......it may take a while, but it will grow back when you are healthier. good luck.
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