Loss of body hair including under arm, legs and arms. Not a single hair to be found.

[yorkshiregirl44]

Was wondering if it more likely to be as a result of adrenal, pituitary or thyroid gland problems.

[RoloHibbs]

Hi there - This was me exactly a year ago! Things have improved somewhat with increases in thyroid meds - although as I've only shaved my legs once this year, you can surmise from this that the growth is not incredibly heavy!!! The outer third of my eyebrows has returned, but I still don't have to pluck as yet. Worst of all is trying to dig out what's left of my eye lashes with a mascara brush! I'm told that my adrenals are fine - haven't had pituitary tested, so for me I would have to assume it's thyroid! K

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to RoloHibbs]

Thanks for that,,,was just trying to narrow it down a little, Iv underactive thyroid and adrenal fatigue.Always hear of missing eyebrows but not body hair, so its reassuring to hear from you.

[dmj18705 in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

I have eyebrows & eyelashes but havent had to shave legs or underarms in almost a year

[headinjuryhypo in reply to RoloHibbs]

I'm just wondering on what basis they told you your adrenals are fine . . not the short synacthen test, by any chance?

[RoloHibbs in reply to headinjuryhypo]

Hi there - yes it was! I questioned how I should interpret the results (233/581) and Endo said it was normal as the second reading was more than double the first), and that I don't have Cushings or Addison's. I asked what his views were on adrenal insufficiency and/or fatigue and asked if my next step should be a cortisol saliva test - wait for it - he said "Oh yes, there has been a lot of talk about adrenal fatigue recently, but I've found that when I order the saliva test, over 90% come back showing as deficient, so I tend not to order them now". I was a bit gunked and just looked at him, trying to decide what to say. Before I knew it, he told me to try dropping my 100mcg of T4 and increase my T3 from 30mcg to 60mcg (without even a word about how I should go about this), a little bell rang on his computer and whoosh, I was out the door, with a cheery "see you in three months"... Oh, please don't get me wrong, I'm so very grateful that I'm lucky enough to get T3 on the NHS, but sometimes I wonder.... I'm sure this Endo of mine is a renal specialist rather than a thyroid chap. Wish I knew how to check! So I'm going to ask him again in 3 months if he's changed his mind about the saliva test! Bet you wish you hadn't asked, lol!!! What's your experience been?

[headinjuryhypo in reply to RoloHibbs]

My experience hasn't been being ill myself, but losing our son to suicide 5 years ago, and finding out after he died that he may have had post-traumatic hypopituitarism from a childhood head injury. dailymail.co.uk/health/arti... That's a long story, but I've found out so much along the way, including that the short synacthen test is relatively useless for diagnosing secondary hypoadrenalism (i.e. adrenal insufficiency caused by pituitary failure). It's fine for showing that the adrenal glands themselves are healthy and respond to stimulation by ACTH - but if the pituitary gland isn't producing enough ACTH to stimulate them then the SST misses two cases out of five. There's a review by Charles Dorin 2003 annals.org/article.aspx?art... that demonstrates this 59% sensitivity if you want something to convince your GP. There's another link you could show him that says that if your basal cortisol reading comes out between 83 nmol/L and 497 nmol/L more than once, then this is "an indication to evaluate ACTH reserve" i.e. give you a proper test like the insulin stress test or the glucagon stimulation test. uptodate.com/contents/diagn...

Your result of 233 nmol/L is quite low, so I think you could say "Would you give me another SST, and if my basal level is under 497 again, please would you consider giving me the IST?" So difficult, having this sort of conversation with your GP! Maybe it's better to write him a letter so that he has time to think about it and look at the evidence.

If you want some horror stories about the SST have a look at these links investinme.org/mestory0041.htm and investinme.org/Article-650%... Also this bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f19... and this bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f89...

Bet you wish *you* hadn't asked! This is a bit of a hobby horse of mine . . but I think it's terrible that GPs don't receive better information. Even the Society for Endocrinologists' leaflet about adrenal insufficiency implies that the SST is fine for diagnosing secondary hypoadrenalism, when they must know very well that it isn't.

[RoloHibbs in reply to headinjuryhypo]

Hello there. Thanks *so* much for this response. I am so sorry to hear about your son. I really appreciate your taking the time to help me. I'm off now to read the links... Will be in touch. Thanks, K.

[headinjuryhypo in reply to RoloHibbs]

I do hope it helps xx

[Marguerite9]

I have also lost all my body hair, half eyebrows missing, hardly any eyelashes, and thin hair. Have to pencil and shadow my eyebrows to make them look o.k. Good job I am clever with this. I usually wear wigs to go out, but they are very expensive if you want them to look good. I am now trying something called Nourkrin for my hair but you have to wait for about six months before any results. I have been taking it for about two months now. I will let you know if it works. I really do feel awful having this thin hair that you can see through, if you know what I mean, but I try not to let it get me down as there are so many people out there worse off than me.

Marguerite9

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to Marguerite9]

What have you been diagnosed with?

[dmj18705 in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

Im 54 yr old female & I havent been diagnosed with anything yet...just noticed I havent any leg or underarm hair in almost a year & eyebrows are thinning & shorter than normal

[Digger031145 in reply to Marguerite9]

Hi

Just seen your post.

Did the Nourkrin work for your hair?

Many thanks

[rossilin600]

It could be adrenal or pituitary problems you will need to push for further testing pref with an endo ask for a referral, good luck

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to rossilin600]

Seeing endo in December

[kizzy12]

my hair is so thin and wispy its horrible and i have had no underarm hair for 9 years lol..hardly any leg hair and practically no eyebrows....oh the joys of being hypo..and i also have rheumatoid arthritis ...both conditions and their meds cause hair loss xx

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to kizzy12]

Iv not lost hair on my head just everywhere else..I never knew RA caused her loss but you learn something new everyday on here Tnanks.

[dgleds in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

the meds might too

[tarotreader]

Morning all,

I still have little hair on my legs none on my arms and slight re growth under arms.

Eyebrows slightly returning and hair growing back ( grey ! ) but still growing back .

I only use mascara when going anywhere , eye itches still so much and still puffy and swollen.

I have been given an appointment to see an endo December as I am not doing too well on Levo (75mg) (100mg) . I have asked for a adrenal function test ? Low Tsh .59 (4- 4.00) FT3 - FT4 boarder line .

Low body temp 34- 35 on waking and salt cravings .

I too wear extensions as fine hair, problem with that is my head sweats and I do look like a drowned rat . Onward and upward and hope to feel like me soon !

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to tarotreader]

sounds like your problems are both thyroid and adrenals which are causing hair loss.

[tarotreader in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

Yes I think so too ... trying to get answers takes for ever ! I am taking B12 supplement which has got my levels from 177 to 510 along with Zinc and Vit C (1000mg) daily .

[Coppernob]

DHEA is something else to check as it can cause loss of hair, especially pubic hair. But it's not something they routinely test for and they don't regard it as 'significant'!

Mine came back at the very lowest of the 'normal' range. I'm now supplementing. No obvious changes to report, but it's early days.

[Digger031145 in reply to Coppernob]

Did the DHEA supplement help with your hair loss?

Mine is head, under arms, leg and Pubic hair all gone now !!!

[jetgj]

what is DHEA I have little pubic hair thinning head hair and haven't shaved underarms for years.

[Hidden]

Hi everyone, my underarm hair has been sparse for many years, now it's gone. Just over 10 years ago I developed a very smooth central bald patch in my pubic hair. Now the sides have gone. 3 years ago I lost loads of eyelashes. The few that have grown back are thick and white. Eyebrows very patchy, I have to use an eyebrow make up or they wouldn't show. Re head hair I reckon I've lost a third. It used to be very thick and curly.

2 years of thyroid meds have had no impact (incl T3)

Had adrenal stress profile done, cortisol very low.

[Tatty10]

Hi i thought that the loss of body and thinning head hair was down to age i am 58 not realizing it was my thyroid this site has helped me find lots of answers and knowing that others have the same symptoms i dont feel such a freak

[Hidden in reply to Tatty10]

Hi Tatty10, I just wish we could find our solution. I do feel a bit of a freak and though I try to laugh it off, it is affecting the minuscule sex life I have. Hugs.

[Tatty10 in reply to Hidden]

Hi helcaster what is a sex life? This thyroid " thing" has changed my whole body and face appearance i just do not recognize that fat ugly dull depressed person in the mirror all my sparkle and joy for life gone, i am desperately hoping that i am on the road to recovery and my medication levo will work for me.

Linda

[ecogran]

I have lost all the hair on my arms, legs and body since diagnosis with Hashi's and am still losing hair on the top of my head Then I found this article on the link between Zinc and hypothyroidism - as yet I haven't bought any zinc supplements...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Might be of help?

[halifaxlass in reply to ecogran]

Hi, Many thanks for the link. I've had psoriasis since I was age 5, quite steady with it until recently when I've been getting it on my legs. My hair is atrocious, it's so thin at the front but these tie in for the psoriasis flaring up & the hair getting worse. I've printed the link & will be seeing my doc next week. Best wishes all, Cath xx

[dgleds]

My head hair has gotten very thin (pony tail is like finger size)...my leg hair is patchy...and my eyebrow shape is there, but I noticed more from photos that my eyebrows themselves have thinned....Im hypothyroid, but they say all is in good range, although was over medicated....and in the last couple years diagnosed with mild lupus....and not long ago few years now., also post menopause....Also on synthroid (levo) and hydroxychloroquin (plaquinil)... My Mom had baby fine hair as she got older and wore wigs...drat!

[greneyes]

My brother lost all the hair under his arms at age 54. He didn't report it to his doctor. Next, he lost all the hair on his arms (and he was hairy!), and then his legs. So he went to see his doctor who was sharp, and put him through a series of tests immediately. The diagnosis? He has smoldering multiple myeloma, cancer. Immediately, his doctor prescribed medication and high doses of daily Tumeric and pepper in pill form. His markers have remained the same, which is good, because you don't want multiple myeloma because it's fatal. The earlier you catch it, the longer you can live with treatment, if your genetics are with you.

Oddly enough, my old boss, now attending retired teacher luncheons with me, told me she couldn't figure out why she had lost all the hair under her arms. At that time, I didn't know about my brother's illness. Unfortunately, by the time I found about about my brother's diagnosis, my old boss had full blown multiple myeloma throughout her body. We are praying they can get it under control today.

Losing your hair even under your arms, can be a symptom of cancer, so get it checked immediately.

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to greneyes]

Hi,

Its a while since i posted about no underarm hair...still no hair not a single one has grown.

Just got back gtom GP appointment...i sometimes wonder why i bother....

Sending me for xray on hips, endo referral because of flushing but nothing for more pressing of symptoms.

Any advice please

Christine

[dmj18705]

I havent had any hair on legs or underarms in almost a year...still have eyebrows , but thinning & end is shorger than before

[Marguerite9]

Hi Everyone, All I can tell you now is that i used the Nourkrin for quite a long while and it just made my hair the tiniest bit thicker (not much), but at least it never ever got thinner. I do not use it now, but I still take all the vitamins and my hair is just thin but over the years has not got worse. I still wear my wigs as I do not like the look of me with my own thin hair.

In fact I can now say I like my wigs and am quite happy wearing them and looking nice instead of my own thin miserable hair.

Marguerite9 xx