mild subclinical hypothyroidism

[reena333]

hi i am now 22 years old and have been having hair loss since i was 17. my thyroid blood work over the years are as follows:
17 yrs: tsh 3.5 (0.3-4.2); free t4 6.90 (5.10-14.10)
20 yrs: tsh 2.69; ft4 11.1 (10.0-23.0)
22 yrs: tsh 5.3 ft4 1.20 (0.9-1.7); repeat tsh 1 week later 4.03 (upper limit 4)

i was started on 25 microgm thyroxine once daily and was asked to do a repeat tsh test in 3 months..my dermatologist previously had diagnosed me as having female pattern baldness and advised to take a biopsy since he said that he couldnt see any hair follicles in certain areas..i was wondering whether my hair loss could be related/accelerated by my hypothyroidism despite it being only a mild increase in tsh and whether 25micrograms is sufficient? my hair loss is diffuse (even at the back of my scalp) and during the period my hair loss suddenly increased (at 20yrs) my eyebrows were sparse mainly at the outer third area..however my eyebrows have since grown back/

[alfonsina]

I posted this question before but I had no replies. My numbers were up and then down with almost the same dose, but different pills, please read below:


I was taking 2.8 grain of NT daily (alternating and cutting a 3 grain pill to get the daily dose), I complained that my PMS was terrible although my numbers were perfect. We though with my doctor that maybe the alternating dose was provoking my PMS to get worse, so he decided to give me 2.75 dose daily but this time with 2 grain + 1/2 grain and 1/4 grain pills combined.

In a two moth period my levels went from 1.6  (FT4) to 1.3 and my FT3 from 390 to 360. and my TSH from 0.01 to 0.02. And I felt this change. Lost 1/2 of my hair, gained weight and got depressed.
He put me on a 3 grain again, still with different pills and I felt terrible still. I decided to go back to one 3 grain pill and I am still losing hair and in pain, but feeling a little better.

The only time my hair stopped falling was with the alternating dose.

[gimel]

What are your latest thyroid test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report?  Also, what meds are you taking and did you take your meds before blood draw for tests?

[alfonsina]

I came to the conclusion that my hair loss was not related to iron deficiency when after taking supplements for about 6 months my hair was still falling out. My thyroid medicine has not stopped it either and any time I increase or decrease minimally my dose I experience large amount of hair loss.
Despite my numbers being okay, I am still losing.

You might want to be tested for vitamins and ferritin. Hypothyroidism has many other symptoms, not only hair loss.

[armywife92]

Yes, hypo can cause hair loss, but then again so can low iron, (i lost almost half my hair when my iron was low) and a few other deficiencies. Next time you go in for bloodwork have them check your iron levels. Make sure to take a good multivitamin.