Am I now on my optimum thyroxine level as hair loss has suddenly stopped?

[BUNKY18]

This is my first post on this forum. I have gained so much more knowledge about Hypothyroidism since I discovered this site a few months ago, for which I am very grateful.

I had experienced puffy eyes and droopy eyelids for the past 16 years but put it down to hormonal changes approaching menopause. My hair has been thinning for the last 5/6 years and by December 2015 I had probably lost about 50% of my hair. Again I put this down to approaching menopause and possible iron deficiency (I am being treated for Iron deficiency anemia due to a high platelet count). It was only when I mentioned my continuing hair loss to my hematologist in May 2016 that he tested my thyroid levels.

I am a 54 year old female diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in June 2016. At the time of diagnosis my

TSH was 167

T4 was 4.2

By December 2016 my iron ferritin level was at 100 ( I am on prescribed iron tablets at 3 x 300 mcg each per day)

I was initially prescribed 50mcg of thyroxine. I had a further blood test in in August 2016 and my TSH was 28 and T4 was 11. The doctor increased my thyroxine to 100mcg. A further blood test in October 2016 when my TSH was 5.35 and T4 was 12. After this test the doctor stated I was on adequate medication as my levels were in the "normal range". I stayed on this dosage until April this year. While taking 100mcg of thyroxine, my puffy eyes and droopy eyelids disappeared and I lost over half a stone in weight but I continued to experience hair loss and my hair continued to tangle on the left side and at the back for some reason not the right side.

After discovering this site and gaining much more information about TSH levels, I asked my doctor if I could increase my dosage slightly to see if this helps with hairloss/tangling etc. After a further blood test, when my TSH was 3.2 and T4 14, the doctor agreed to increase my dosage. I started on 125 mcg dose in April. The hair tangling disappeared more or less straightaway but the hair loss rapidly increased and I was losing far more than before. I was also experiencing headaches and a dizziness. About 10 days ago, I decided to lower my dosage to 100 mcg each day and 25 mcg every other day. Since then the headaches and the dizziness have stopped and the hair loss has stopped also. I am now experiencing far less hair loss than I ever have done. I am due to have a further blood test on 19/6/17. I was wondering whether my hair loss may have stopped as I have now reached my optimum dosage of Thyroxine.

I would appreciate your thoughts etc

[shaws Administrator]

When we reach an optimum dose for us as individuals we should have no symptoms and normal energy but I'm glad you feel a lot better and hair can return with thyroid hormones.

[BUNKY18 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your reply. I have never had any other symptoms other than weight increase, hair loss/tangling and puffy eyes/eyelids.

[Kitti1 in reply to BUNKY18]

Hi BUNKY18 A good way to do a quick test on how well your medicated is to do a body temperature test.

Since having my blue horizon blood tests done and starting to self medicate 2 weeks ago. I've been taking my temperature every morning. I've gone from 35.7 to 36.5. So I'm now technically in range, I think the range Clutter gave me was ( really should have wrote it down I knew I'd forget 😂 ) 36.3 - 37.1. Please correct me if I've got that a bit out Clutter / shaws

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kitti1]

Nearly always undiagnosed hypo have low temp and low pulse. Both increase as medication is increased. Sometimes they don't come back to normal for some but I doubt many know what our temp was before becoming hypo. Your 36.3-37.1 sounds fine.

[shaws Administrator in reply to BUNKY18]

Your weight should also drop and puffy eyes should also be rectified. If not, you need to see a specialist re your eyes