Will an increase from 100mc to 150mc thyroxine ... - Thyroid UK
Will an increase from 100mc to 150mc thyroxine daily halt my hair thinning? Will it help my hair to thicken?
Hmmm doubtful, it seems most of us with thinning hair are stuck with it. I have been on many different doses over the years and nothing has improved my hair. Have you had other things tested to see if you are deficient in vits or minerals ?
Just had results of my annual blood test resulting in an increased dose of levothyroxine. I hadn't put two and two together to realise all these symptoms I'd had over the last year were symptomatic of needing a higher dose. I take various vitamin supplements which my doctor knows about. Perhaps I should research this more carefully.
Could you post your blood results here with the reference ranges. Maybe even two lots as it gives a better picture. When I was diagnosed my tsh was over 100 and my bp was 200 over 120. It just came down with the levothyroxine I wasn't put on bp meds
Jo xx
I can't as my doctor just sent me a letter saying my tsh level was high and he was increasing the dose. The bp a week after my test was 180 over 90. I have a bp test booked for this week. Perhaps at that time the nurse can give me the numbers.
OilonC,
RE the hair loss.
Are you male or female?
How old are you?
Do you have a family history of early hair loss/thinning?
When did the hair loss start? Did it coincide with your thyroid problem?
What is your thyroid diagnosis?
Do you have any other medical problems, and are you on any other medication?
Are your thyroid symptoms/signs currently under control, or are you still unwell? Any continuing symptoms?
Have you had any recent blood tests, and if so, what were the results?
Is the hair loss characterised by general thinning or are certain parts of the scalp more affected than others? Is your skin very dry?
Have you experienced hair loss on any other parts of the body?
What has your doctor said about the hair loss?
Have you tried any medicines to treat the hair loss so far? eg. Regaine.
A lot more information is needed to comment on the cause and treatment of your hair loss. It's not a simple matter. If you could answer these questions, we would be able to advise.
Female. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago. I am 60 now. One of my sisters has had thinning hair for years. My other sister said my mum had hypothyroidism which was only diagnosed in later years. I've been on 100 mc dose for many years. Had my annual blood test last week. Doctor didn't say what the levels were. He just sent me a letter saying my TSH was high and he was increasing the dose and I should collect a prescription. Numerous symptoms I just hadn't registered were related to the thyoxine levels. Dry skin, soft/brittle nails which keep breaking, thinning hair which has only recently got very noticeable on my scalp, not patches I don't think, just all over thinning. Was quite pleased that leg and underarm hair reduced and slower growth. I didn't realise the puffy face might be related. My hair is just lifeless. It used to have bounce and curl now its a constant concern for me. Pains in my wrists from time to time. Been seeing a physio for over a year on and off for back pain. Recent higher blood pressure (headaches), Ankles swollen up every day, hands swell as well, particularly if I go for a walk. Thought this was all my bp. So now a double dose of bp medication. Extreme sleepiness and eyes closing even while I'm standing up is the symptom I had all those years ago, and just forgot. I take an oxytetracine medication for rosacea, could this have been related to the thyroxine levels? I just hadn't mentioned many symptoms to my doctor because I didn't register that they were relevant. I don't sleep well these days. It sounds like if I'd picked up on the symptoms and reported them earlier, I might have got a higher dose earlier and possibly avoided the thinning hair. I put my lack of concentration and difficulty in taking things in down to my age. I am not really bothered about other symptoms, but the thinning hair I hate. I just thought everything was a standard symptom of getting old which is why I didn't mention things to the doctor. I am on a meagre income and cannot afford expensive treatments. I take a Boots hair,skin,nails supplement, calcium and vitamin D and Omega 3,6,9.
Hi,
>One of my sisters has had thinning hair for years.
That could be relevant because hair loss sometimes runs in families. On the other hand, it does sound like hypothyroidism is more likely to be responsible in your case. Diffuse hair thinning + hair loss elsewhere on the body combined with dry skin is typical. Major stress or illness can lead to hair loss (telogen effluvium), but you don't mention anything to suggest this.
>Doctor didn't say what the levels were. He just sent me a letter saying my TSH was high and he was increasing the dose and I should collect a prescription.
It seems that you have a variety of symptoms which could be due to an inadequate levothyroxine dose. A high TSH indicates that your pituitary gland has detected low levels of thyroid hormones in your blood and is attempting to force your thyroid gland to produce more.
It's uncommon to increase from 100mcg to 150mcg. Most go to 125mcg next. Are you definitely going straight to 150mcg? Whatever dose you increase to, your doctor should test TSH and free T4 in about 6 weeks to help determine whether your new dose is appropriate. You should also have a consultation with the doctor. Making changes to the dose without seeing you is not good practice.
>Numerous symptoms I just hadn't registered were related to the thyoxine levels.
Most of the symptoms you report are typical of hypothyroidism. You should feel a lot better once your medication has been optimised, but it will take several weeks before you get the maximum benefit. Assuming that your hair loss is indeed caused by your hypothyroidism, the dose increase should help to reduce it.
Since you have been feeling so tired lately, it would be useful for your doctor to do a range of common blood tests (and examination) to assess other aspects of your health. Have you had this done? You should have a full blood count, for example. S/he may also test for iron deficiency because this can worsen hair loss.
>Thought this was all my bp. So now a double dose of bp medication
High blood pressure does not directly cause swollen ankles, and is not the usual cause of headaches. What medication are you taking for your blood pressure? Some BP meds can cause swollen ankles, this is most likely with amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine but also occurs less frequently with lercanidipine and lacidipine. It is important that your doctor is aware of this problem because there are a variety of causes which need to be looked into.
> I take an oxytetracine medication for rosacea, could this have been related to the thyroxine levels?
I don't think so, but...
It's important to take your levothyroxine correctly. It should be taken on an empty stomach, usually first thing in the morning. Avoid eating for 30-60 minutes. Oxytetracycline also needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
Do not take your calcium supplement at the same time as levothyroxine or oxytetracycline - it may prevent your medication from being absorbed properly. Take your medications with a full glass of water, no milk or coffee with your dose. It would be best to take your vitamins/supplements at a completely different time of day - you could take them at lunchtime.
> I just thought everything was a standard symptom of getting old which is why I didn't mention things to the doctor.
You're not even old!
Take care,
Bob
Stress recently. My daughter is heavily pregnant, severe hyperemesis for the first 4 months, 4 hospital admissions during this time. Her father (in Devon) had a massive stroke when she was three and half months pregnant. We all feared she'd lose the baby. She was still working then and trying to deal with care and arrangements for her father. She then developed problems with her uterus, so she is still in considerable discomfort (4 weeks to go). Her dad died a month ago. I am an executor, I'm doing all the legal work (retired legal professional) and advising my daughter daily what she needs to do, and of course talking and listening as she copes with her grief. Its a 9 hour drive to get down there. On tenterhooks for a call from her husband to go down.
Blood test. I have noted that my doctor wants me to have another blood test 6 weeks from taking new medication. I shall be with my daughter then (Devon) I hope I can take my doctor's letter to the local surgery and arrange for a nurse to take my bloods and send results to my doctor here (Northumberland). Will not be able to get an appointment with my own GP until I return. Perhaps I should see a doctor while I am there when my bloods are back?
I've been taking my calcium at the same time as my levothyroxine. I'll change that with immediate effect. I always wait at least an hour before taking oxytetracyclene anyway because of the omeprazole which I take at the same time as the levothyroxine. My bp medication has changed three times to get it right. I shall take my vitamins and supplements at lunchtime as you suggest.
You're as old as you feel, some days more so than others. If I can get my meds sorted I'm sure I shall feel a little younger again!
Thanks Bob.
Hello again,
What horrible things you've been through lately. You've obviously been under an immense amount of stress. This could be contributing to the hair loss. As you know, stress can also lead to poor sleep and fatigue. These symptoms are so often multifactorial in origin.
Omeprazole can decrease levothyroxine absorption by reducing the acidity of the stomach. Unlike the calcium situation, you cannot deal with this by taking omeprazole and levothyroxine at different times of day. This is because omeprazole is a long-acting medication. When omeprazole is used in the long-term, it is advised to find the lowest dose which is effective. 10mg capsules are available. Long-term use of omeprazole can rarely lead to magnesium depletion. Doctors were recently advised to consider monitoring magnesium levels in patients on omeprazole and similar drugs. They can do a magnesium level at the same time as your thyroid function tests and anything else they recommend.
>Perhaps I should see a doctor while I am there when my bloods are back?
I'm not sure how this will work because you won't be registered at a practice in Devon. It might be worth contacting a surgery in advance to find out whether they would allow you to register as a temporary patient.
>I've been taking my calcium at the same time as my levothyroxine. I'll change that with immediate effect.
It may be that once you do this a smaller dose increase will be sufficient. The blood test will help you and your doctor decide. Did you pick up the prescription yet and will you be on 125mcg or 150mcg?
>My bp medication has changed three times to get it right.
That's common! What meds did you settle on?
> If I can get my meds sorted I'm sure I shall feel a little younger again!
I think you will 
Take care,
Bob
bp medication is ramipril 10 mg. I also take oxybutynin hydrochloride 5mg to counteract the side effects of the ramipiril
I rattle!
OK, ramipril does not cause swollen ankles (like some BP meds do).
Oxybutynin is usually prescribed to reduce urinary urgency. That is not a common side effect of ramipril. The major problem with oxybutynin is that is has so many side effects of its own!
The urgency was the problem when I was out walking and the oxybutynin sorted it. I wonder if perhaps I should try to do without it?
I walked for a couple of hours this afternoon in beautiful sunshine. I haven't enjoyed a walk so much for many months. I could manage gentle hills easier, less breathless and I felt more energetic. Could the increased dose of thyorixine have had an effect in a week?
Frequent urination and inability to hold on is a very definite symptom of insufficient thyroid hormone. It might be that with the increase in thyroxine, you don't need the oxybutynin any more. Certainly worth bearing in mind anyway.
And yes, a thyroxine dose increase can have a very noticeable effect within a week, even within a day for some people. Good to hear you've enjoyed being out walking in the sunshine. It lifts the spirits and gives us hope when that happens
Thanks. Everyone's advice makes me feel better
Hi Oil 
It sounds like oxybutynin has worked well for you and you don't mention any side effects (constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision and flushing are common). Worsened memory and concentration are possible, but are also likely to due hypothyroidism.
>I wonder if perhaps I should try to do without it?
Not necessarily, it's entirely up to you. IF stopped, oxybutynin can be restarted if needed. It's interesting what RedApple said about urgency as a symptom of hypothyroidism. I must admit I've not heard of this - it would be great if the increased dose of levothyroxine was effective. What dose of oxybutynin are you on? If you're already on the minimum dose, you could consider trying without it after couple of months on your new dose of levothyroxine. If you're on a higher dose, you could consider a reduction. (It's best to reduce high doses gradually; stopping anticholinergics abruptly may cause adverse effects). Ask your doctor for advice.
Urgency and 'overactive bladder' are very common. Some people find bladder training exercises helpful. Pelvic floor exercises, while typically recommended for stress incontinence, may also be beneficial and have no side effects.
>Could the increased dose of thyroxine have had an effect in a week?
Yes, and the benefit should continue to increase. Fantastic that you're feeling better.
Bob
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