Hair thinning/ change in texture (Hashi's and Alopecia)

[Welchy1]

Hi all,

I have posted about this topic before and am hoping I might find someone with a similar experience to me.

Does anyone have a dual diagnosis of Hashi's and Alopecia Areata on here?

The reason I ask is my hair has dramatically changed in texture (and is thinning) since I introduced T3. I feel better on a T4/ T3 combo (125mcg Levo and 25mcg Liothyronine), however I do have insomnia (rarely sleep more than 5 hours).

Some people have suggested the hair follicle needs T4 and that T3 can speed up the hair cycle.. I have also been told that my symptoms could be a sign that I am hyper and that fine, wispy hair is a common symptom of this (used to be thick and solid). It has been suggested that I should think about reducing my dose of T3 to 10mcg and upping my T4.

Current labs (09/08):

TSH = 0.09

FT4 = 15.1 (9.00- 24.00)

FT3 = 5.5 (3.5 - 6.5)

B12 = 333

VitD = 110

Ferritin last test 02/08 = 209 (15-300)

Serum Folate last test 02/08 = 7.7 (2-17)

I doubt that it is the Alopecia which is causing the change as that is patchy hairloss and isolated to one part of my scalp... where as the texture change and thinning is all over.

Your help/ experience greatly appreciated as ever,

Welchy

[greygoose]

I don't know if wispy hair is a hyper symptom, but it certainly is a hypo symptom.

Your FT3 is not too high, and I doubt if it need decreasing - I certainly wouldn't swop any for more levo. If those results were mine, I'd be increasing my dose of T3. You could also increase your levo, but not both at the same time.

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the quick reply Greygoose.. I was on 100mcg and 40mcg of T3 for a long time and it made no difference.. That was when my endo freaked at my TSH and we reduced my dose.. I'm certain the T3 has helped cognition and the ability to work/ exercise.. but it's not been good for my hair at all... or do you think the T3 sweet spot is so small that I haven't found it yet? Would another 5mcg or 10mcg make any difference in real terms to my hair?

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

A low TSH is not a good reason to reduce a dose. He should be looking at the FT3, not the TSH.

You would have to try different doses of T3 to see if they helped - without seeing your results, I can't make any comment.

But, it might not be to do with your T3 at all, it could be due to nutritional deficiencies. Have you had your vit d, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested?

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, VitD, B12, Serum Folate and Ferritin are all in my initial post (B12 is a little low but I've had it as high as 538 with no difference)

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

Your ferritin looks good, but did you have your CRP tested? If you have inflammation, your ferritin will be high, but without the benefits of good iron levels.

Your vit D could be higher, but I don't know if that affects hair.

I can't see a folate result.

I think your doctor was wrong. I don't think either your FT4 nor your FT3 were too high. They were both only just over mid-range. Most hypos need the FT3 higher than that.

Did you check out Susie's list of other nutrients needed for hair growth? What are you taking at the moment?

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

I was taking B12 1000mcg but stopped (due to seeing no change in how I felt or hair). I was also taking 5000 ui Vit D until we had the hot summer and came off it. I'm due to go back now as winter is draws in. I have had my T3 top of range (when I was on 40mcg of T3) and saw no improvements

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

So, did you check out Susie's article?

Did you spend much time in the sun during the hot summer? I would have thought it was so hot that most people stayed in the shade. If so, your vit d could have dropped, rather than raised.

Did you have your CRP tested?

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

Do you mean Susie's response to an earlier post of mine, or do you mean she's written an article I should read? RE: CRP, it was last tested December last year and was <4.0mg/L (0.00 - 10.00mg/L).. so pretty good given I have 2x autoimmune diseases I thought.

[Welchy1 in reply to Welchy1]

and yes, I made a point of spending every lunch hour being out in the sun (and whenever possible!)

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

I meant the list in the article she linked you to in your last post - you referred to it, so I read it. And it seems that just about every nutrient is linked to hair, not just the four we suggest testing.

Obviously, as you're hypo, you wouldn't supplement iodine without testing first, but the others you can. Most hypos are low in zinc, anyway, so it's always a good idea to supplement that. And most of the others are cofactors of vit D, so if you're taking vit d, it's a good idea to take them, too. I really don't think you can get away without supplementing if you're hypo.

Oh, and as for CRP, that could have changed since Christmas, and should always be tested when testing ferritin.

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the feedback Greygoose it is appreciated. Have you had a similar experience with hairloss and texture changes? Did this level of supplementation work for you? There is so much conflicting advice about taking supplements and the potential negative effects (Or none at all) that I have to admit I have veered away from them except VitD

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

I've had a bad hair life! But then, I believe I've been hypo/Hashi's since I was about 8 years old. My hair got thicker when I had a Hashi's 'hyper' swing, then thin and wispy when I went hypo again.

In 2013, I was very ill (non-thyroidal illness) and suffered mal-nutrition. A year later, all my hair came out in my hands in the shower. I got as many nutrients tested as possible - this is always difficult because doctors know nothing about nutrition - and started supplementing. My hair has never been the same since, but it is growing very slowly. I take everything on that list - except iodine, of course! And I dont take selenium because it doesn't agree with me. Most important is my iron. If I forget to take that, my hair stops growing.

[Welchy1 in reply to greygoose]

I'm sorry it's taken me a while to reply but I have been away. You have been through quite a journey! Thanks for sharing your experience, I can identify with the frustration and despair you must have felt but also the determination not to be beaten. I'm going to trial the supplementation and see if it makes a difference.. You mentioned your hair has 'never been the same since' and that your got thicker when you had your 'hyper' swing... This might suggest hormones played a bigger role than supplements... If I trial supplementation the question is.. 'How long for and what results can I expect' and should this be done prior to increasing a T3 dose in order to see what works?

[greygoose in reply to Welchy1]

Two different periods. I'm pretty sure I've had Hashi's since I was a small child. During what I now identify as Hashi's 'hyper' swings, my hair got thicker. I had my last Hashi's 'hyper' swing when I was 50, in 1995.

Then, in 2014, after my illness, my hair all fell out, etc. So, no connection between the two. Hope that makes it clearer.

How long for and what results can I expect' and should this be done prior to increasing a T3 dose in order to see what works?

How long is a piece of string? When you are hypo, supplementing tends to be a life-long practice. I don't think you're going to want to wait to increase your T3 to see if supplements work, because it's hardly going to be over-night. Hair grows slowly at the best of times, and when you're hypo, it can be even slower. So, increase your T3 AND try the supplements.