Thyroid,hormones,age.???

[beaton]

I'm looking at the minor problems caused by my underactive thyroid. I know thyroid and hormones go hand in hand. I'm really suffering at present with teenage acne and facial hair. Underarm and leg hair is sparse. So is it thyroid or age???

[Mabes]

Have you been tested/checked for PCOS? Might be worth looking into.

[beaton in reply to Mabes]

Hi Mabes,I think I'm a bit old for that. x

[Mabes in reply to beaton]

The facial hair could

be hormone imbalance. I know post menopause many women who did not have facial hair when menstruating find themselves dealing with it.

' The growth of facial hair in many postmenopausal women is due to the drop in levels of the female hormone estrogen that occurs during menopause. This decline alters the estrogen-testosterone balance, causing a relative excess of testosterone.'

From: health.howstuffworks.com/we...

[Heloise]

I think aging includes loss of enzymes and you need certain ones for thyroid production. I think you've probably seen some of Dr. Clark's videos I've posted. This one is about the enzymes involved.

youtube.com/watch?v=k_Kr5Rx...(Not working as expected?)

[beaton in reply to Heloise]

Thanks Heloise. x

[Clutter]

Dunno how old you are, Beaton, so let's blame your thyroid

I've been optimally medicated for a few months now and I'm losing less head hair and underarm and leg hair is growing again. I've had one or two pimples and was strangely pleased as I took it as a sign my body is resuming normal operations.

Have you been supplementing B12? Acne often occurs when supplementation first starts working.

[beaton in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter,I'm 61. Never had acne as a teen but the last five years have been like a second wave. It's quite embarrassing,as if I don't wash or something. As is the facial hair,don't mind not having to shave my legs but face,twice a day,no fun.

Think I'll up my meds. until I see the endo. in August see if there is any improvement. Didn't start supplementing B12 until a few months ago,so spots came first.

[Hidden]

Hi Beaton, could it be adrenals? I had no idea acne was one of the symptoms until recently. I've lost my underarm hair, most of my pubic hair, listed on adrenal insufficiency symptoms. I'm 58 so not too far behind you! My GP says it's all just aging, I don't agree. The hair loss has been going on since my 40's. It's not sparse hair it's baldness. Maybe it would help if she had a look!

Yes I have a bit more facial hair, noticeably on my top lip, nothing to worry about though, and my once smooth chin had a lot more down. I'm sure that's an oestrogen issue.

Thyroid meds haven't helped my hair loss anywhere, an adrenal stress profile I did showed low cortisol.

My acne has been a lot worse with B12 injections too, really yellow headed pimples mostly near my hairline. I've been injecting though since December so I would have thought by now that would have settled.

Do you have any adrenal insufficiency symptoms?

[beaton in reply to Hidden]

Hi Helcaster,Thanks for replying. I hadn't considered adrenals and the lists of symptoms seem to overlap so much. Perhaps I will have to pay for a stress profile.

[Hidden in reply to beaton]

Although it's more money, I think it's worth it. Then of course the battle with getting treated if you are low. I've sent my GP loads of info, because they just don't know about adrenal insufficiency! I have the name of a good endo though in Oxford, it's a long way for me but she is very experience in pituitary and adrenal issues and comes recommended. I won't hesitate to ask my GP for a referral on the NHS.

I have a second test to do, so it will be interesting if this is low too. I've been fainting a lot this last year and my bp is low so who knows!

I use Genova for the test and can recommend them. It's approx £80 with the courier.

[beaton in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Helcaster,I'll bear it in mind. xx