On Thyroxine and losing hair

[Katinsky]

Hi all,

Please can anyone shed some light for me? I am getting a little stressed out as I am losing a lot of my hair, basically the thickness of my hair has diminshed by 50% and I really don't know which way to turn. I am still on 75mg of Thyroxine and wondering if anyone else on this drug has similar effects or if I am barking up the wrong tree.... Thank you so much for any of your advice x

[MiniMum97]

Why are you still on 75mcg of levothyroxine? What and when were your most recent test results? Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism.

Did you manage to get your ferritin up? Levels below 50 can cause symptoms similar to Anaemia incl hair loss.

Another possibility is low zinc but I would make sure the above are right first before considering other things.

[Katinsky in reply to MiniMum97]

Thank you - had my results tested last year all was fine apparently. Including Vitamin B, D and ferritin levels - I wasn't given the exact results just told I am fine. I do take Vit B12 and D3 but only just started again. Seeing GP next week as I am truly worried ... thank you again x

[MiniMum97 in reply to Katinsky]

As SlowDragon has said, I really think you need to read the responses from your last post.

Never accept "normal" or "all is fine" from a doctor!

Most people need 100 - 200mcg of levo so 75mcg is a low dose. Get your results after you took 75mcg for 6-8 weeks and repost.

Your ferritin was not fine as 42 as symptoms below 50 can cause symptoms like hairloss. I'll post the study confirming this below.

[MiniMum97 in reply to MiniMum97]

Here's an article talking about the study which might be easier to digest:

universityhealthnews.com/da...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

SeasideSusie gave her usual excellent advice on all your low vitamin levels in previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What vitamin supplements are you now taking?

Your B12, ferritin and vitamin D were all too low

You will need Thyroid bloods retested 6-8 weeks after adding vitamin supplements

Low ferritin is extremely common reason for hairloss

[Katinsky in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm taking B12 and D3 no ferritin... I was told my ferritin levels were fine when I had bloods last year but never received the exact levels.

Thanks for replying x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Katinsky]

Seasidesusie comments on previous post

FERRITIN 42.0 ug/L

Ferritin needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work. Eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week, will help raise your levels

[Katinsky in reply to SlowDragon]

I am going to have private blood tests - can you suggest any that are preferred? Is Blue Horizon good to use if you have any advice please. When getting tested should i take my usual 75mcg thyroxine in the morning or not take it before testing?

Will test for TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Ferritin, Folate, Vitamin B12 (NOT ACTIVE B12), C Reactive Protein, Vitamin D (25-OH)

thank you x

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Katinsky]

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are as good as each other, both reliable and provide good service, both use accredited labs.

The difference between BH Plus Eleven and Medichecks Ultravit is that Medichecks test Active B12 (tells you what is available to be taken up by the cells) and BH test serum B12 (tells you total B12). Medichecks do CRP-high sensitivity which indicates unspecific inflammation, also can detect low-level inflammation which is thought to damage blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack or stroke, BH tests basic CRP for unspecific inflammation only. BH tests Total T4, Medichecks doesn't.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Katinsky]

If you decide to pay for private blood draw rather than DIY finger prick test , then Medichecks fee for this is cheaper than Blue Horizon