T3

[mischa]

Is it true that T4 is the hair hormone and that by adding T3 to Levo suppresses T4.

Does T3 address hair loss problems caused from Levo?

I would really love to know.

[Clutter]

Mischa, Good levels of T4 and T3 are necessary for hair growth and pigmentation and low levels can cause hairloss and greying. I've never heard that T4 is the hair hormone though. Low levels of iron and zinc also contribute to hair loss.

naturalnews.com/024388_thyr...

Taking oral T3 can suppress TSH and may cause FT4 level to drop as higher levels of T4 storage aren't required and oral T3 may stimulate better T4 to T3 conversion.

I don't know whether hair loss caused by Levothyroxine is improved by adding T3.

[mischa in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter

[mischa in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, I should have explained myself better. Since I dropped some Levo to add T3 my hair loss has begun again. I know the drop in Levo has caused this. What I'm asking is now that I've added T3 will this loss stop?

I'm suppose I'm looking for some reassurance. I'm just not coping vry well right now.

[marram in reply to mischa]

I'm on T3 and it does not seem to be helping the hair much. I am quite disappointed. Sorry that I can't be more positive.

But there is one good thing - I went back to Papworth for my post op check, and although it is only 7 weeks, they said that looking at my chest X-Ray you cannot tell that I have had major heart surgery if it were not for the wires they used to join the sternum together.

So, if my breastbone has completely knitted together after only 7 weeks, can I therefore assume that the T3 has NOT given me osteoporosis, as I was warned by my less-than polite GP?

Mariexx

[Clutter in reply to marram]

Glad to hear you're healing so well and so fast, Marie. Dunno if that rules out osteoporosis (I hope it does) but make a rude finger gesture at your GP anyway.

[mischa in reply to marram]

That's really good news, Marram. You must be thrilled. I would love to see your GP's face when he knows.

Incidentally, Is it just T3 you are on or a combo? How long have you been on T3?

[marram in reply to mischa]

I am on T3 only at the moment, but worrying a bit about the number of suppliers we have been losing. I am a poor converter so really do not want to go back to T4, ever.

[shaws Administrator in reply to marram]

Glad you are doing so well Marram. It's very good news.

[Clutter in reply to mischa]

Mischa, Some people are quite sensitive to dose/medication changes so it may settle down after a while. Be careful about overmedicating though, I experienced considerable hair loss when I overmedicated on T3 and it took 7 weeks to stop when I reduced dose.

[mischa in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, the impression I get is that people suffer more with hair loss on Levo than T3? Would that be correct?

Did your hair grow back?

[Clutter in reply to mischa]

Mischa, Levothyroxine PIL states that hairloss may be a side effect during the first 6 months of starting it. Hair doesn't always grow back for those who lose it.

I didn't lose all my hair. Just a lot of shedding and a few clumps but it slowed down when levels were back in range.

[Agapanthus]

I thought that changing from T4 to T3 only had improved my hair loss as initially it began to grow again on my legs, under arms and was less hair fall on my head. That was last year when I had then been on T3 only for over a year.

However this year my hair has stopped growing under arms, on legs and it's now very thin on my head, so clearly it's not so simple! I have just had a private test done for FT3 and it shows that I am well within range (thanks Clutter on help with that one, as the hospital test caught me on the hop when I had just had my T3 dose and I was over range!).

I am nearly 63 though so I guess that age may be part of the issue for me now and maybe not for you Mischa. On the plus side I am only just starting to go more grey so I have held onto the colour for longer than some.

[greygoose in reply to Agapanthus]

Your Testosterone could be low, too.

[mischa in reply to Agapanthus]

To be quite honest with you, I find it really depressing that I haven't heard from anyone who is on T3 and has resolved their hair loss issues. There must be some out there who have. I would really like to hear some more positive responses in this regard.

Nevertheless, Agapanthus thank you for your response.

[greygoose in reply to mischa]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm on T3 only and I haven't found it's helped very much with my hair.

My history is a bit complicated, so difficult to know what caused what, but at one point, whilst on T3 only, all my hair fell out in the shower leaving me with just a thin fringe round the sides.

I started taking iron and zinc and it started to grow again. It now just about covers my scalp but is very thin. I Don't know if it will grow any more. But I haven't lost hope.

I Don't think the T3 caused me to lose it, because I'd been on T3 for some time when that happened. And I'd been losing hair slowly all my adult life, long before diagnosis. But lets say the T3 didn't seem to help.

This is something that doctors Don't take seriously. The only responses I got were 'it's normal at your age' - which covers everything from 17 to 70! They think it's just vanity that makes us worry about our hair. well, to some extent it is, of course, but it's also a sign that something is wrong, be it nutrional deficiencies, thyroid hormones - or various other hormones like HGH and testosterone - but something is not quite right.

I wish I could be more optimistic, and give you some hope, but so far, I Don't have any answers, I'm afraid.

[mischa in reply to greygoose]

Thank you GG

[greygoose in reply to mischa]

You're welcome, mischa.

[Hidden in reply to mischa]

I did use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner for hair loss, it took 6 months to see any difference.

Currently using Salon Science which is a 3 step system but after 4 months it's not made any difference.

Although my ferritin wasn't very low there was room for improvement so am addressing this.

There you go - a post that's a bit positive!!

[mischa in reply to Hidden]

Thanks cinnamon_girl

[greygoose]

Mischa, try taking Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil. These help negate the hair-loss effect of levo. But do get your iron and zinc tested, because they could very well be low, and that will affect your hair.

[mischa in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose my iron is good and I also take zinc. I also take EPO but I will get some Borage oil. My hair loss is as a result of lowering my Levo in order to start taking T3. Maybe it will sort itself out in due course.

I have also done a saliva test and should get the results in about a week to see if my adrenals need support. But I favour your remedy of Vit C and salt. But we shall see if I need anything more.

Mentally, I've taken a nosedive and I could really use some positive comments from anyone who has had good results with T3 or T3/T4 and hair loss.

[Agapanthus]

Sorry, apologies to Mischa as I don't want to cut across your post but wanted to know more about the low testosterone Greygoose. Is this something I should worry about at 62 or test for?

[greygoose in reply to Agapanthus]

If you get your T3 optimised, the theory is that the testosterone and other hormones will sort themselves. When you have enough T3 in your body, it should be able to use the cholesterol to make sex hormones, to bring them up to the correct level for your age. But make sure you're eating enough fat! No low-fat diets.

You could get it tested if you wanted to, but I doubt your doctor would do it. Some of them Don't even realise women have testosterone! But supplementing testosterone isn't really advised, I've read. Can't remember where...

The signs of low testosterone are loss of hair (but that can be due to many things) especially Under the arms, reduction in sweating, and a little pad of fat just above the knee.

[Agapanthus]

Thank you Greygoose - very interesting. No I am not low fat, and eat good fats like coconut oil and butter.

I do have loss of hair under the arms and also less sweating - oh dear! Not sure about pad of fat - not obviously. Maybe I will try increasing my T3 again a little as I did drop it by 5 mcg a few months ago. Worth a try anyway especially as the hair was better at one point and also I am supplementing my adrenals now to help that little problem.

[faith63]

T3 only helped my hairloss. T4 is the inactive hormone and doesn't do much unless converted to t3. Being hypo causes hair loss. Mine has grown in well.