Not sure If I should increase T3, feel like the hair loss has doubled this last week:(

[Loriputnam11]

Picture is just from shampooing that I only do once a week and dont brush at all, so thin I just use a wide tooth comb Hairdresser that I have had for over ten years guesses I have lost about 60-70% in the last four months. Thought is was slowing until I started the T3. Is it coincidence or temporary?Also insomnia, thrush, anxiety is through the roof at times usually 8 hours after I take the 5mg of cytomil (Liothyronine) alondloosing handfuls of hair all over; thought starting levo Tironsit 25 mg and adding T3 would help? These are my levels yesterday and just was told to take T3 5 mg twice a day now.

T3 2.1 (2.2-4)

T4 1.10 (.78-2.4)

Tsh 3.68 (1.0-4.8)

Only on t3 for 3 weeks but know the hair loss has gotten worse! Does it eventually get better or should I quit all together? Do you normally take t3 twice a day, pharmacist says usually once a day. I take the T4 at 5am empty stomach no food for one hour and vitamens 4 hours later. T3 I take at 7 am empty stomach and was told to take the second T3 around 2pm to 3 pm. Scared it will wire me so I cant sleep. Only way I do now is with ambien and that gets me maybe 4 hours Anyone with experience in this Thank you for caring and taking your time with me!

[radd]

Lorioutnam,

TSH is still too high & FT3 is below half way through range. You are in the early stages of introducing thyroid meds & a T3 deprived body can do the weirdest things …. believe me, I have been there.

Persevere & ask for a dose increase of T4 to reduce TSH & increase FT3. (FT4 levels are not so important when medicating thyroid hormone replacement that includes T3 but medicating T3 will help T4 to convert so raising T4 meds will encourage higher FT3 levels.). Supplementing Selenium is known to aid T4 - T3 conversion.

Multi dosing T3 (two/three times a day) will reduce the rapidity of onset and prolong the duration of its action. Really good when first introduced as acclimatises the body).

Also, you can take T4 & T3 meds together …. and …. some do get wired with a dose of T3 but some need their dose of T3 before bed to encourage sleep. We are all different.

.

Hairloss & Hormones.

hypothyroidmom.com/10-thing...

.

Selenium

drlwilson.com/Articles/SELE...

[radd in reply to radd]

Ferritin looks ok but have you had Vit D, Vit B12 & folate levels tested ? ? ...

Re anxiety (which is truly horrid) - look into supporting the adrenal glands which may be compromised through low thyroid hormone levels.

.

Adrenal & Thyroid Connection.

hypothyroidmom.com/a-balanc...

[Jazzw in reply to radd]

Ferritin was 20 in the OP's previous post. That's very low - especially as it's come down from 51...

[radd in reply to Jazzw]

Jazzw,

The range posted for ferritin in previous post was (6 - 26.4)

[Jazzw in reply to radd]

That's a very odd range - Loriputnam11 , is that range for ferritin definitely right? Only you said it was 51 previously, which makes it feel as thought it might not be the correct reference range??

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Yes you are correct, my decimal is in the wrong spot for the ferritn, it is 6.-264. Thank you

[radd in reply to Loriputnam11]

Loriputnam11,

It is an easy mistake to make when we feel so ill but good levels of ferritin are vital for thyroid hormone to work properly as iron is key for conversion of T4-T3. Low ferritin can cause negative reactions like palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety in someone starting thyroid hormone replacement.

Also ferritin is a storage hormone and your hair follicles actually store ferritin. When your body is short, it will steal from the stored supply leaving the follicles short. Insufficient ferritin will not only affect the life cycle of your hair but can change its texture.

I don't supplement iron but members have said supplementing Ferrous Fumarate is good. Take each iron tablet 4 hours away from thyroid meds (as they can bind to iron) with 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation (or Apple Cider Vinegar). Retest iron levels in 6 months.

Well spotted Jazzw

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Yes B12 was in the 600's middle of the riad and the vit D was the same. Taking prescription folate and it was on the upper end

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Loriputnam11]

Loriputnam11

B12 661 (239-931)

Ferritin 20.4 (6.-26.4)

Are you sure that's your ferritin result? Is it Folate? B12 and Folate are usually tested together as they work together, and that looks more like a folate range than a ferritin range.

Also, other reasons for hairloss - healdove.com/disease-illnes...

[Loriputnam11 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I have the decimal in the wrong spot! It should be 6.-264.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Loriputnam11]

Still an unusual range but makes more sense. You need to get it up to at least 70, half way in range is best. I couldn't tolerate iron supplements and eating liver once a week raised mine very successfully.

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Thank you for your replie, just wondering if they get stable does the anxiety and hair loss get better or are the sideeffects I need to learn that I can live with

[radd in reply to Loriputnam11]

Loriputnam11,

No, you should not have to live with any side effects once you achieve well being. It is the achieving that is the difficult part but I found upon medicating T3 many symptoms improved straight away, some several months later but also some brand new ones had to worked through.

Vit B12 & Vit D "middle of the road" may not be enough. Many members benefit from better thyroid hormone synthesis when nutrients are in optimal part of range.

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Thank you for the HOPE

[radd in reply to Loriputnam11]

Hair loss on top of every thing else is a big issue for us women & is usually associated with high T3 levels but I experienced it upon medicating T3 as was so deficient. Hormone changes do weird things to our bodies. Stick with it & with all the other right supports, hormone levels will eventually balance out.

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Thank you for your encouragement Means a lot!

[Loriputnam11 in reply to radd]

Thank you, just feel really jittery and hoping that passes as I am on it longer Horrible feeling

[radd in reply to Loriputnam11]

"Jittery" could be down to your low iron levels or the introduction of T3 or a bit of both.

I have never had low iron levels but I was jittery for months when I started T3 but it gradually became less with lots of adrenal support.

It should eventually pass as your body acclimatises to new introduced hormones & you raise levels of all deficiencies.

[Nanaedake]

Have you just started taking levothyroxine? Did you start with levothyroxine and T3 together? 5mcg of T3 is not a big dose and your FT3 is under-range. Your TSH is still highish for someone treated with thyroid hormone so judging by your blood tests you do need an increase. I hope someone who takes T3 can advise on timings. I have no clue about that.

Some people have trouble adjusting to any kind of thyroid medication if their vitamin and/or mineral levels are low. Have you had yours tested?

[Loriputnam11 in reply to Nanaedake]

Hello, yes started with Levo about 5 weeks ago and my t3 was dropping in range so they started me on t3 21/2 weeks ago and not feeling better feeling worse. They just upped it Another dose of 5 mg, one in the am and second suuppose to be Early afternoon. I only did half a dose yesterday and second dosing because I am worried about the insomnia and this jittery feeling. I did the full doses today, ugh. I do have energy but way too much! Not sure if it just needs time. These are the B12 661 (239-931)

Folate >20. (>=3.0)

Ferritin 20.4 ( 6.-264.)

Calcium 9.5 (8.4-10.6)

Vitamin D 49.2(30-80) thank you for your time in this

[Nanaedake in reply to Loriputnam11]

Your ferritin is low, has your doc. Done an iron panel? Ferritin is best mid range for Levothyroxine to work well. You may also be low in minerals, zinc. Selenium and magnesium. All are needed for good thyroid conversion and cellular processes.

You can take a little magnesium citrate as most people are lacking. The body will excrete excess. Selenium you may supplement up to but not more than 200mcg a day. Not sure of quantity for zinc but should state dosage on any good quality supplement or do some Internet research.

[Rocca]

Sorry you are experiencing this. When I have lost noticeable to worrying amounts of hair it has usually been related to significant hormone level changes about four months previously, so there is, for me, considerable lag. I hope the loss stops very soon for you.

[Loriputnam11 in reply to Rocca]

Thankyou! Just want to know that it does stop and regrows. Feel like the meds have set it two fold!

[Baobabs]

I have recently become optimally medicated and my hair continues to be like straw and still thinning. Any advice on expected timeline for possible hair recovery?

[Tdhx in reply to Baobabs]

Hi are you T3 only? I'm having the same problem! When my hair wet I cannot get the comb through its so dry and tangled so much hair comes out.. Been suffering hairloss for years and it's so thin now that I'm contemplating getting a wig. It breaks my heart.

[Loriputnam11]

I pushed for that but dr wanted to increase one at a time and since the T3 was going down decided to increase that first. Will check in two weeks. Does the T3 not help the tah levels?

[Loriputnam11]

So want to believe that! Thank you