Does Levothyroxine affect your hair? Mine has completely stopped growing and is becoming thinner and thinner.

[Elaines]

Since I started taking Levothyroxine in January, my hair firstly became very dry and even more frizzy than usual.Now it has stopped growing completely and is very thin. I have been taking 50mg since January. I've been told I don't need another blood test till November. I have a number of the symptoms listed for Hypothyroidism, but I've had most of them for years and I'm not really poorly. I think I'll be bald by November, so any help would be gratefully received. I'm 59 and female, (GHS) (only joking!.)

[shaws Administrator]

Hypothyroidism in itself can cause hairloss - this is a link of symptoms.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

This is another link where the person recovered her hair.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

[Elaines in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much for this. Sorry for the delay in replying, only just realised there was a problem with the site. I'm going to look at the information you've given in detail.

Elaine

[Moggie]

I have just written a blog on a new hair product I found really helped.

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

Moggie x

[Elaines in reply to Moggie]

Thanks Moggie, I'm going to investigate this and I'll keep you informed.

Elaine

[Elaines in reply to Moggie]

Hi again Moggie, I've looked a tyour blog and the website and I'm going to give this a go. My hair isn't falling out it just isn't growing so that as it falls out naturally, its not being replaced. In April, it was looking so straw bale like I had it cut short. I haven't had it cut since. Thanks again.

[ChemicalAngel]

Hi Elaines, looks like you are on the starter dose, and from what I have learned from this site is that you need your blood testing in 3 month intervals to see if you need an increase in meds. To not have a test till November is irresponsible by your doctor.

It can take 18 months or so before the correct level of meds is found for you.

Go back to your doctor and ask for another test as you are so bad.

Good luck.

Ann xx

[Elaines in reply to ChemicalAngel]

Thanks Ann, I wondered whether the time was too long before another test. I'm going to request another test and ask for the extra bits that Carolyn suggested too. It's all such a minefield.

[shaws Administrator]

Chemicalangel is correct - 50mcg is too low a dose. To wait till November is ridiculous.

If you cursor to the question dated November 20, 2002 read the answer re 50mcg levo.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

[Elaines in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws, thank you for all the information. I'm going to study all the information tomorrow on my day off. I'll let you know how I get on.

Really grateful. This is such a good website.

[PinkNinja]

It can cause hair loss but it may actually be that you are not on a high enough dose yet, as others have said.

There are other things you need to look into too. If your serum iron and ferritin are below optimal levels (70-90 for ferritin) you may find that this is causing your hair loss. Please ask your GP to test these as well as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. These are things that a lot of hypothyroid patients are deficient in.

I hope you find the solution. I am intrigued by the product Moggie mentioned too. If you try it, please let us know how you find it. Many people with thyroid disease have hair problems so it would be good to know how others find it

Carolyn x

[Elaines in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank you for your help Carolyn. I've only just put 2+2 together and realised that the usual emails weren't getting through. I will make an appointment with my doctor. I hope all the IT problems get sorted. You have my sypathy. The words "IT upgrade" send a shiver down my spine.