If I go onto thyroxine tablets, will my hair grow back? Have lost over 50%.

[slowontheuptake]

[Hiphypo]

That will depend on the reason for the hair loss - is it absolutely sure that it is due to Hypothyroidism? If so, my limited understanding is that it should come back, but in time. I am sure someone else with more knowledge will be along soon to help out with better info.

Best wishes and good luck

Jenni x

[Xenelk]

After being hypo for 5 months the one thing that has started to improve for me is the hair loss. My husband even comments that there seemed to be less hair on the floor!! Funnily enough it is the least worrying of all my horrible symptoms. I would have thought getting oxygen to my brain or making my muscles stronger was more important than my hair!! Body sure is a weird thing.

Lynda from OZ

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Xenelk]

No, no, I'm with slowontheuptake on the subject of hair, I'd far rather put up with the aches and pains and I have been barely able to hobble around at times, than have my hair falling out. At the moment I'm moulting like a dog. Fallen hair everywhere! It looks ok but when I wash it I realise just how thin it has become and I find the 'bird's nest' I have to clear out of the plug hole a bit off putting too. Glad to hear your hair has started to improve - that is very encouraging.

Liz

[Xenelk in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

As horrible as I feel today you made me smile with your story Liz. I do hope your hair improves soon xxx

[shaws Administrator in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Ask your GP to check your scalp in case your have another autoimmune condition.

My GP has given me a scalp lotion (steroidal) and it has helped to stop hair shedding. You can only use it for max of 4 weeks.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Just been reading your blog and yes you are feeling really bad. I was diagnosed with Graves in November last year. In my case I lost so much weight that I looked great on the surface, inside I felt SO ill. Every part of my body hurt, even the soles of my feet. I could barely move. I felt like I had been hit by a bus and I was so tired I could hardly move. I used to have to fight off this massive urge just to lie down right in the middle of the aisle in the supermarket and go to sleep.. First time I felt good was when my lovely endo asked how I was feeling and then answered for me saying 'Bet you feel terrible' She was the only person I had spoken to ( apart from everyone here at TUK) who really understood what my body was going through and that cheered me up so much. So hang in there, you'll get there in the end. Or that's what I tell myself anyway.

Liz

[Xenelk in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thankyou Liz, that really means a lot to me. Cant even get to shops at this stage and like you I look great on the outside but the inside is crumbling away. We all just need to be understood. Hope today is a good day for you xxx

[Starfish123]

Hi,

My hair loss has actually got worse on Levo.

[Xenelk in reply to Starfish123]

Have heard that could happen and mine did for a few months and has now settled. I wonder can it be ongoing for some people??

[Flowers2]

I'm sorry to hear that so many of us suffer with hair loss, as my GP doesn't seem to think it's an issue. I said to him yesterday. I don't want to be a bald lady! I'm afraid my hair loss didn't stop on taking levo. I had a few optomistic little hairs grow back and I was thrilled thinking this was the start but I reckon I'm about 1\3rd down from what I was in hair thickness after 2.5 years on levo. I'm taking B12 and Ferritin now to try and help boost it. I'm at the low end of normal and understand that hair loss may be improved by getting these levels up. My older levo packets used to say that hair loss was a side effect of taking levo - double whammy when its supposed to stop the effects of under active T. Mary Shoman did a radio article about it recently. I've not listened to it yet but will do to see if there are any ideas she can offer.

[infomaniac in reply to Flowers2]

I've read an article by Mary Shoman and she advocates taking Evening Primrose oil. She reckons it not only helped her hair grow back but it was also more like normal hair-not the dry, tangly, straw like stuff she was used to! I'm taking EPO but it's too early to say if there are any results yet.

[Flowers2]

I have been taking this for several months but if has not made any difference. Also although it's not meant to make an difference I put on a little unshiftable weight when taking EPO. I took it in my 20's and the same thing happened with the weight gain. I would be delighted to have normal hair not the dry tangly straw like stuff I've got used to now. I hope the EPO works for you.

[Hidden in reply to Flowers2]

I bought the make that Mary Shoman recommended and it's done nothing for me either. Very interesting what you're saying about weight gain and EPO - I've got bigger when I had been losing some. I'm back on gluten though so that could be the reason.

[nightingale-56]

My hair was the best it has ever been while taking EPO for breast tenderness during the menopause. Have tried it again recently for about 3 months, but it did not make any difference. Been taking Nutri Adrenal for past 2 weeks and already there is a noticeable difference to texture of hair. Janet.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to nightingale-56]

J_bee

What is Nutri Adrenal, where do you get it and do you think I could take it with Graves. I forgot I've been taking EPO and like Alit I am putting on weight so anything else would be good - especially as you have noticed an improvement in your hair.

Liz

[nightingale-56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi LizH, I get my Nutri Adrenal from the Nutri Centre and get discount via Thyroid UK. It is an Adrenal supplement and recommended by a certain private doctor. I have also been advised to take it by a Dermatologist at a London Hospital recently, although was told not to take it by local Endocrinologist. You don't know who to believe do you? As I have had only good results from this supplement I will continue to take it. No change in weight though! Janet.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to nightingale-56]

Did you see a dermatologist because of your hair? I don't know if I have an adrenal problem. So far apart from probably needing a bit more levo - I feel a bit hypo at the moment but I have generally felt ok and with a bit of luck will again if I can get the levo topped up. My nails had flaked so much they were right down to the quick and just agony but with a bit of work they seem to be better now ( fingers crossed!) hair falling out is now my biggest problem and I'm hoping once I get to the right amount of levo for my body then that will be ok too. It's just every time I wash it, I wonder if I ought to go and ask for an appointment with a dermatologist or trichologist while I still have hair to worry about. Wouldn't mind but after 60 odd years I actually like the style I have - now it's falling out. Can't win can you

Thanks for your reply

Liz

[nightingale-56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I originally saw a Trichologist re the spots on scalp caused by Trimethoprim (lots of moans about this in previous posts), but he said I should see a Dermatologist. This appointment was already in hand at local Hospital. Spots are still ongoing and am now under the Royal London Hospital, but have still not been given a diagnosis. Am sure they know it is the antibiotics that have caused the problem, but, of course, will not own up to this. My hair did not fall out, just got more and more tangled and sticky. So much so, that I could not wash it properly. Think this was caused by Tetralysal given for 18months to clear spots from Trimethoprim - going round in circles! Nails have always been bad, but are improving on Vit D3. Like you have got used to my style, I can usually deal with it quite easily, but on looking back at photos, I realise it is not much different from when I was about 13! Been other styles, but seem to have reverted back. Pity I can't do that with the rest of my health. Janet.

[Flowers2 in reply to nightingale-56]

How much Nutri Adrenal do you take? Great news that its improved your hair. Could that be because you're getting your adrenals working again you are producing more testosterone? My leg and underarm hair barely grow and head hair is not strong any more. I'd be interested to know how many to take. X

[nightingale-56 in reply to Flowers2]

Hi Alit,

At the present time I am only taking 2 NA, and think I will only take one more anyway. Tomorrow I will start taking Nutri Thyroid. Did not know about the adrenal and testosterone connections - thanks for this info. Only have to shave legs about once a year and no hair underarms. I am only on 75mcg Levothyroxine which puts my bloods at the 'normal' level, but usually (apart from the antibiotics, which floor me) I don't feel too bad. Did find NAX did not suit me. But give them all a try and I hope you find something to suit you. Just have to say I have been seeing Dr BDP for treatment with the Nutri products, so would get advice if you possibly can. Janet.

[nightingale-56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Sorry Liz, forgot to mention that although I was diagnosed with Graves 33 years ago and had a sub-total thyroidectomy and subsequently became hypo, I do not know if you could still take it if you had not had treatment. Perhaps someone else could help here?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to nightingale-56]

Wow, that's a long time ago. We're you ever given the block and replace option or is that fairly recent? It's a shame that they left a bit and you still went hypo. Are you taking levo and how has it been to control how you feel?

Liz

[nightingale-56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Just had Neomarcazole and Propranolol to begin with, which seemed to work. Then had my son, who has quite a few hormonal problems and is special needs. Thyroid then got worse and had to have a quick sub-total thyroidectomy while 14 weeks pregnant with my daughter. She was born fine, though I suspect her almost daily headaches have something to do with thyroid problems. She is now 33 and has 2 boys of her own who are fine. I am actually glad they left a bit, as I think they did in those days (1978) as I seem to have fared a bit better than a lot of people on this site, antibiotics aside! I was not put on Levo for 19 years after the op and really suffered until about 4 months after starting Levo, when I began to feel much better.

[nightingale-56 in reply to nightingale-56]

Sorry Liz, Graves was diagnosed in 1972, so that makes it a bit longer than 33 years. Must be brain fog still! Janet.