Hair loss

[nonameslob]

So on top of all of my other symptoms, I'm noticing my hair is thinning at an alarming rate. The cruel irony is that I'm a hairstylist, so I've always known that thyroid patients have issues with hair loss. But is it normal for it to happen so suddenly?! I mean, last week I didn't notice anything unusual aside from a slight bit of thinning at my right temple. Today? I can see through my hair to my scalp and my part is significantly wider than it ever has been. What helps besides keratin? I've yet to get treatment for this, as I don't see an endo for 10 more days. 😫

[Sausage_Dog]

I'm sorry you are having sudden hair loss. I had thst happen too. My GP tested me for iron levels. My ferritin level was low and they prescribed ferrous fumerate iron tablets. Maybe you can ask the endo to check your iron levels if they do a blood test

[galathea]

There is a definite link between ferritn levelsnd hair loss. You need ferritin to be higher than 70, There was a proper study done by l'oreal. Might be worth looking it up.....

Xx g

[bluebug]

Hair loss is linked not only with thyroid issues but vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and other autoimmune diseases.

To start with you need to have:

- Get your thyroid test results preferably FT4 and FT3 to ensure they are in the right place in the range.

- Your haemoglobin and ferritin levels tested - these are two iron level checks. Your haemoglobin needs to be over 12g/dL and your ferritin around 80 to ensure you don't have hair loss.

- Your vitamin D level tested - If your level is under around 45nmol/L you may experience hair loss

- You vitamin B12 and folate levels tested - if your vitamin B12 level is deficient and your folate is low you may experience hair loss,

- Then you need to check whether you have autoimmune thyroid disease by having antibodies tested, and that your inflammatory markers like C reactive protein (CRP) and ESR are low.

As a first step get a copy of your latest blood test results from your doctor as per your legal right under the Data Protection Act 1998. Hopefully your doctor has done a full blood count which will contain your haemoglobin level and ESR plus tested your TSH and FT4.

Then if you find tests missing the quickest thing if you can afford it is to have a Blue Horizon plus 11 finger prick test as it tests TSH, FT4, FT3,Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibody, Antithyroglobulin Antibody, vitamin B12, ferritin, folate, vitamin D and CRP.

If you can't afford it you will have to fight with your GP to convince them to test vitamin B12, ferritin, folate, vitamin D, CRP and thyroid antibodies. It is unlikely you will get your FT3 tested as NHS labs refuse to do it.

I forgot to say doctors are very ignorant about testing vitamin levels. Don't be surprised for example if they say - "You can't be vitamin D deficient because it's been summer." or "You cannot have iron deficiency because of x y and x".

[nonameslob in reply to bluebug]

In the process of getting a diagnosis, I have had a few CBC's done. Nothing was significantly abnormal except for my red blood cell distribution width which is always higher than normal. I was actually very surprised to see that for the first time in forever, my hemoglobin wasn't out of range. I've always struggled with iron deficient anemia.

I had my TSH, FT3, and FT4 tested a few weeks ago and surprisingly, they were all within range. However, my thyroid peroxidase antibodies were at 410, which is why my GP referred me to an endo.

I feel like there's something going on besides thyroid autoimmunity. I just can't believe all of these symptoms are occurring like this without my thyroid levels being out of range. They are all smack in the middle.

I don't think anyone checked my vitamin D, though, so I will ask about that!

[bluebug in reply to nonameslob]

CBCs don't check ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. So get them all checked out. You need to have optimal levels not just be in range.

[bluebug in reply to nonameslob]

I should have added start a new thread once you have your ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D results. The results doctors say are "OK" or "adequate" are too low for someone with a thyroid disorder or an autoimmune disease.

[claremc78]

HI There

I am having the exact same symptom which is what brought me to the docs in the first place. I have to have my bloods re-done 10/10 as I am showing both over and under active levels !!

I noticed my hair loss nearly 4 weeks ago and it just keeps getting worse to the point I will have non left if this carries on as it was not very thick to start with. It has taken over my life I cant eat or sleep and I am sat at work now still researching EVERYTHING I can on this.

I really feel your pain, I am currently taking Biotin, Vit D multi vits Bee Pollen and using Nioxin shampoo in the hope of slowing this down until I can get my meds sorted. I have also ordered Evening Primrose Oil which has been recommended on one of the many sights I have visited over the last few weeks.

Its so cruel and as a woman is probably one for the worst things that can ever happen.

Good Luck with it all and please know you are not on your own X

[nonameslob in reply to claremc78]

Make sure you don't overdo it on the biotin! People can go crazy with it in hopes that loading up on it will make it work even faster. The truth is that you can have too much of a good thing! Too much biotin will over-keratinize your hair making it brittle and destroying the elasticity which causes it to break more.

Is your hair texture still normal? One thing I don't understand is that my texture is not brittle or fried looking like most thyroid patients I see in my chair. The elasticity is still completely in tact, as I did a test on a single hair and it took quite a bit of force to get it to break.

The problem is that every time I scratch my head or touch my hair, I get hair in my hand with the follicle still attached, so I know its hair LOSS and not breakage causing my hair to look thinner.

My biggest fear is that I see so many clients who are medicated properly, but their hair still never grows back.

[claremc78 in reply to nonameslob]

I did overdo it with the biotin at first I will be honest but knocked that on the head after further research.

Like you my hair is not dry or brittle texture is absolutely fine and is probably in the best condition it has been in for a long time which is the annoying part !! It is also still growing normally

Like you I also loose hair with the follicle on the end and it is much worse when I wash it. I do think the Nioxin system has helped with the thickness in a small measure and also I bought a product called Diaboost from the Nioxin range which does make the hair feel and look a little more dense but these are only "covering the problem" all the while the hair still falls out.

I was pinning all my hopes on it stopping once the meds have kicked in and my levels sorted however this does not always seem to be the case in sufferers.

GOD HELP US !!!

[guysgrams]

Nonameslob, I have the hair loss issue as well. I have always had lots of hair and very thick. Over the course of the last year I have lost quite a bit and my husband can see my scalp on top. Not that it is all gone up there but thinning for sure! I seem to scratch a lot and finally went to the dermatologist and had a biopsy done. It came back LPP Lichen Planopilaris (scarring hair loss). From what I understand where my hair is gone it will not come back. I'm still reading and researching on this.

[jacrjacr]

may want to do a 4x a day saliva cortisol test, my dr did this and found out i have high cortisol and it causes hair loss etc.....so holy basil and more sleep and better diet and no sugar.....also when a dr says test are normal on thyroid post them...my dr did for 2 years and i had too low ft3 which also played into hair loss and i also had low dhea and low testosterone that played into hair loss.....and low iron.....and low b12....and my journey is still ongoing with hair loss still has not slowed down but dr still thinks it is the cortisol....

[jacrjacr]

a hair dress that is older says taking hydrolyzed collagen peptides 13g a day that is organic and with type one and type 3 in it or more....especially if you see your nails weak....says she sees the difference in her older clients and she uses it....i thought that was interesting since she sees hair all day long and is a pro...also nizoral shampoo tackles it if it may be fungus related...if you shine a black light on head and see orange specs it will show it, and low estrogen or out of balance hormones cause it or any sudden change in hormones