hashimoto's and hair loss

[suemarty]

I have suffered from extreme hair loss due to Hashimoto's disease. My current labs are as follows.
T3, free 3.0 range is 2.3-4.2
T4, free 0.77 range is 0.80-1.80
TSH 0.21 range is 0.40-4.50
iodine 42 range is 52-109
I have increased my dosage from 97.5 Nature-Throid by 16.25 mg. I have also started LDN 1.5 to reduce my thyroid Peroxidase of 441. Should I take iodine supplements? I do take fish oil, biotin, zinc. My vitamin D, ferritin, zinc levels are all good. Any ideas on what I could to do decrease my hair loss? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[gimel]

When I look up LDN I find the following info related to pain relief.  I see nothing related to reducing the antibodies of Hashi's.  So, even if LDN had that effect, that isn't going to help your hypo symptoms.   For that you need to raise your Nature Throid as necessary to relieve symptoms.  


"Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is being used as a regulator of the immune system, providing relief to patients with autoimmune diseases, and central nervous system disorders.  Whilst it is not licensed by the FDA specifically for these conditions, physicians are permitted to prescribe LDN ‘off-label’ for any use they think is appropriate.

The apparently diverse conditions in which LDN appears to have a therapeutic effect are united by their ability to benefit from increased levels of endorphins (naturally occurring opioids – specifically OGF).

In the interests of promoting further research into different uses of LDN, we encourage LDN users who are willing to be identified to post their experiences with LDN here. Examples of the successful use of LDN, supported by studies as well as reported by patients to date, include the following conditions:

> Published Studies

    - Crohn’s Diseases
    - Multiple Sclerosis
    - Fibromyalgia

> Patient-Reported

    - Ankolysing Spondilitis
    - Epstein-Barr Syndrome
    - Hepatitis C
    - Lung Cancer
    - Rheumatoid Arthritis
    - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
    - Parkinson's Disease
    - Ulcerative Colitis"

[suemarty]

Hello, I am taking 1.5 mg of LDN to start. I have read that you are supposed to work your way up to 4.0. I am not sure exactly how to know when to increase this.

[gimel]

All can be hypo symptoms.  I fully expect that you will need to raise your Nature-Throid further.  Just give any change 3-4 weeks to allow full effect on serum levels.  Unless you are aware of some direct effect on your body, other than your thyroid gland, what is the value of taking LDN to reduce antibodies?  

[suemarty]

Not really, my skin is a bit dry and my finger nails are brittle and weak. I have a slight sensitivity to cold but that is about it. What is your opinion of LDN therapy? Is it effective in reducing antibodies? Should I increase my Nature=Throid again by another 16.25.

[gimel]

Your Vitamin B12, iron, ferritin, and D are good.  With Hashi's I would not recommend supplementing iodine.  

The increase of 16.25 mg of Nature-Throid is not going to increase your Free T3 and Free T4 levels very much.  Our usual recommendation to our hypo members is to raise Free T3 into the upper part of its range, as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms.  Free T4 is best at the middle of its range, as a minimum.  

Do you have any hypo symptoms other than hair loss?

[suemarty]

Hello, My B 12 809 range is 200-1100, iron is 106 range is 40-160, ferritin 80 range is 10-232, D 75 range is 30-100. Do you think I should supplement my low iodine level? Do you think upping my Nature-Throid by 16.25 should be enough? Thank you for your help.

[gimel]

Your Free T4 is much too low in the range and can be affecting hair loss. Free T4 should be at least middle of the range.  Your Free T3 is too low for many people.  We usually recommend Free T3 in the upper part of ts range, as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms.  

Please post those D, ferritin and zinc results so we can comment on those as well.