Hair growth.

[Clares82]

Hi, I’ve had hypothyroidism all my life. My hair has always been quite dry but has improved recently due to changing shampoo and conditioner. However it just doesn’t grow. It’s been the same length for about 4 years. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Baobabs]

Couldn't agree more, however needs to be taken for several month before results are apparent. Take highest dose.

[Baobabs]

For me, 17 months to date, ferritin making a big difference.

[Hashi-Monster in reply to Baobabs]

I agree ferritin is essential

[Baobabs]

My apologies if this sounds obvious but are you optimally medicated?

[Clares82 in reply to Baobabs]

I have a blood test annually and the last one my levels were all ok. I might see if I can have a repeat though as I am so tired at the moment and I’m having a lot of headaches.

[Marz in reply to Clares82]

What was tested and do you have the results with ranges you c6an post ?

B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD also need to be optimal. Have they been tested ? Do you have Hashimotos ? With more info we can offer better advice 😊

[Clares82 in reply to Marz]

It was my T3 T4 and FSH levels, I just got told by my GP that they were all fine so I didn’t get to see them. I have hypothyroidism. Thank you.

[Baobabs in reply to Clares82]

When were levels last tested? Try to have updated blood test if necessary, also tests recommended by Marz and post for maximum help/support.

[Marz in reply to Clares82]

Fine is an opinion and NOT a result. I appreciate you are new to the forum - but reading other posts/replies you can see results with ranges are always requested to make a helpful responses possible 😊

You are legally entitled to copies of your own results .

[Clares82 in reply to Marz]

I’ve never been given my actual results before but I’ll definately ask for them next time. I just take my doctors word for it tbh.

[Marz in reply to Clares82]

Having your results enables you to make notes of how you are feeling at that time - your dose - the vitamins you are taking and so on. Keep everything in a folder so you can compare. It is also good as Docs often miss things and tell you all is 'fine' when they are NOT. They are obsessed with ranges and if you are in range - then that is fine ! BUT - it is where you are in the range that is key for thyroid health and for all the fine tuning that is required.

I have lived in Crete since 2004 and we have to keep all our own records - results/scans etc. It enables us to be in control which is good ! We can go to anyone with our file !

nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?...

[Clares82 in reply to Marz]

That’s a really good idea. I’ve never thought of doing that before. Thank you so much for your advice. 😊

[conniemeg]

My hair grows quite quickly, especially after I added a whole thyroid instead of just Synthroid, but I still have trouble with thinning hair...

[Kellygreen in reply to conniemeg]

Hello! What do you mean by adding a whole thyroid? Thanks

[Beata_s]

I have the same problem with my hypo dog - i thought it was because her low fT3 (. Trying to raise it with improved diet and good levels of iron zinc and copper )

When she was on High doses of zinc - her hair started to grow ! But copper is important in releasing the iron from the stores and converting it into a transferable form - as t turned out she was copper deficient ! When you take high doses of zinc ; supplementation with copepr is advised

Amino acids make a difference to hair also - methionine especially and cysteine .

Here are some interesting readings :

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1...

themedicalbiochemistrypage....

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/8...

[Ballroomdiva]

Like you I’ve also been Hypothyroid all my life ( 49 ) but my hair has always been quite silky ( quite fine ) but have noticed it is now slightly coarser. As to growing, it grows quite fast. Or so my hairdresser says ( but I can see for myself ). I however seem to heal very slowly any cuts or burns take forever to clear and sometimes they will fester or get infected., do you find that. ..? Hope you get your answers.

[Clares82 in reply to Ballroomdiva]

Not really, I do bruise quite easily though. I’ve bern trying to grow my hair for years and some of my friends with shorter hair have now got longer hair then me, it’s so frustrating!

[Ballroomdiva in reply to Clares82]

Yes I can imagine, it seems that hair loss/ hair growth seems to be the most contentious issue out of all the side affects/symptoms of Hypothyroidism. Have you thought of taking a supplement for hair ...? I thought of it because of the condition of my nails.. then I realised the way my hair grew as is I would end up like cousin It in Adams family. It might help you though..?

[Clares82 in reply to Ballroomdiva]

Yeah I have been thinking about it but I thought I’d give the new hair products a go first. The last couple of months my hair has been terrible yet my nails grow loads!

[Ballroomdiva in reply to Clares82]

I’m the opposite, my nails are quite weak and ridged... ? We’re blessed aren’t we ..? 😂

[Clares82 in reply to Ballroomdiva]

The envy of many! 😂

[Stourie in reply to Ballroomdiva]

Hi, my nails were vertically very ridged but supplementing with vitd, k2 and magnesium has almost made the ridges disappear. That is the only thing that I can think of that is helping. Jo xx

[Ballroomdiva in reply to Stourie]

Thanks I will try that , I already take magnesium and B6 , but I’ll definitely head to chemist.

[Snoddyoddbod]

It’s strange how hypo and hair works.

Mine is falling out, I leave it alone as much as possible but even though falling out is growing like mad!!!

In January I got brave and cut in all off to remove the old colour and give it a break now it’s grown about 5 inches and still falling out !!

Truly mad !!!