Hair loss... will switching thyroid medication brands or switching to NDT make a difference?

[Chiquitita]

Hi there!

I'm wracking my brains with this issue of hair loss.

To put a long story short:

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto Thyroiditis a few years ago. At the time of my diagnosis, I had all sorts of low thyroid related symptoms (terrible fatigue, over weight, dry skin, low mood...) but surprisingly my hair was strong, thick, shiny, beautiful, abundant, so good I used to get comments on it.

I started treatment with synthetic combination medication T4/T3 (Novothyral) under supervision of a good Dr. who also checks all leves of nutrients and vitamins and prescribes a very comprehensive protocol of supplements. That´s when my journey back into health began... and also when my hair loss began.

A few years down the line, I feel incredibly well and full of energy, I have lost a lot of weight, no more dry skin, my blood tests consistently show optimal values of thyroid, vitamins, minerals, etc. etc. On paper, everything looks right and it seems consistent with how I feel, which is great!

But my hair loss is getting worse. It is really bad at the moment. There seems to be no connection whatsoever between how I feel energy-wise and the health of my hair follicles. My hair was much better when I was very hypo than it is now that my thyroid levels are optimal and I feel great.

I am inclined to think it has to be some kind of reaction to the synthetic thyroid medication I am taking... I never had hair loss prior to starting this medication.

Could it be something in the fillers? Most thyroid medication mentions "hair loss" as possible side effect, there must be a particular reason for it, does anyone know why this is?

I've read some patients experience improvements when switching to a different thyroid medication brand (perhaps because fillers vary from brand to brand) or switching from synthetic medication to NDT.

If anyone out there has had this kind of experience, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts.

I am considering switching to NDT, but I am nervous about it...

[Angel_of_the_North]

There are many different reasons for hairloss. Some people find it improves when ferritin levels are good, or when Free T3 is optimal. But if it is caused by aromatization of DHT, that's a sex hormone thing and thyroid hormones won't necessarily fix it (but minoxidil might help)

[cleo26]

NDTs while desiccated porcine can contain fillers as well. Some like Armour more than others e.g. WP Thyroid.

Also Rogaine is not a DHT inhibitor, but more a vasodilator prolonging the hair’s anagen phase.

Has there been any change in your reproductive hormones?