Does hair loss stop after starting Levothyroxine? New diagnosis of hypothyroidism. V worried.

[CTPY]

Hello everyone - I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism - I had been dragging myself around for months and finally near collapse had a blood test with TSH over 100 and T4 less than 2 - not good.. I had noticed that my hair had thinned and now all I can notice is my thin hair and scalp. Could anybody let me know if it generally grows back once levels come up and settle down - I am on 125 a day and due another blood test in 3 weeks. Thank you very much for any help you might be able to give me.

[Clutter]

CTPY,

It will usually take several months for thyroid levels to normalise and for most people that will be when TSH is between 1-2 with FT4 mid to upper range. Your hair should start regrowing as thyroid levels improve but hair and nails are usually the last symptoms to improve.

Good news is that people diagnosed with very low FT4 and very high TSH seem to make the best and quickest recovery.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine and after any dose adjustment. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[CTPY in reply to Clutter]

Thank you very much Clutter. My hair had been thinning for months and I ignored it, my nails are dry and brittle and coming away from nail bed - I am basically a mess. I put myself last after my 3 children and just thought I was knackered after spending about a month in hospital with asthamatic son - so have been floored by this diagnosis - GP gave me it over the phone and a print out and a prescription so have been feeling lonely and worried. Hair loss is a major worry as I have always had thick hair and now it is thin. I am feeling a bit better already in terms of energy but don’t want hair to keep falling out. Thank you so much for your answer. It is greatly appreciated.

[Heloise]

Hi CTPY, You and your son would do well to go on an autoimmune diet after he is done with his medical treatment. The stress you both underwent was very high I'm sure. We've come a long way in our knowledge of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Do you know if you have antibodies? Most patients have this when they end up with a TSH as high as yours.

The levothyroxine will help alleviate some of your symptoms and hopefully will replace the hormone that your thyroid glands would normally produce except you are only getting T4 and your gland actually produces T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. A natural porcine desiccated thyroid pill would provide that. If you have the autoimmune condition this treatment will not address that at all.

If you do well on levo and your metabolism increases and digestion improves you may see some improvement in your hair growth. Usually low iron is the cause of hairloss and you may be deficient. Your doctor should test that as well as folate, B12, Vitamin D since they also may be deficient and very important for your treatment to work.

Stress and gluten are primary causes of autoimmune disease.

[CTPY in reply to Heloise]

Hello Heloise,

Thank you too for your reply. Yes it has been confirmed by my endocrinologist that I self referred to that I have Hashimotos. I have read around a bit and have put myself on gluten free diet since diagnosis and am trying to eliminate stress as best I can - but life is stressful! My iron levels are ok and I have been taking Vit D now since diagnosis. I have read around a bit on the T3 issue but the Endo says I am starting on Levothyroxine and he will review after 6 weeks - at the moment, 3 weeks in, I definitely am feeling more energetic, but anything is an improvement on the utter exhaustion that I experienced 3 weeks ago. I usually cycle over 100 miles a week and that combined with 3 small children and life just made me think I was just tired. There’s tired and then there’s utterly whacked out! I have been told to stop all cycling and have taken up swimming and trying to relax more but I’m not very good at that! Thank you for your kind advice.

Catherine

[Heloise in reply to CTPY]

It's wonderful that you are taking responsibility for your condition and are on the right track. Your ferritin has to be around 80 or half way up the range.

I have listened to many hours of interviews with functional doctors and just today the men suggested when you are just beginning treatment to cease everything beyond "walking" for exercise. ......at least temporarily. There are important organs that need the bit of thyroid you have right now. You aren't even achieving a minimum level for your body if you haven't been on levo for at least two months.

Always ask for a report of blood tests with ranges so you can check your progress. stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...