Hi , can anyone advise how to cope with hair thinning, started about a year ago , GP comment “ nothing you can do with hair loss “ very helpful
I am using planter 39 shampoo , don’t think that’s helping
I have other issues , like us all , asked for a referral to endocrinologist says I do not yet fit the criteria,
Do you think actually seeing one “ thinking of a private consultation “ is beneficial
Thank you
First step is always to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Low ferritin is common reason for hairloss when on Levothyroxine
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Is this how you do your tests?
How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many people on Levothyroxine need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...
Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)
add results and ranges if you have them or come back with new post once you get results
Besides the full testing that SlowDragon has mentioned below, this article is about vitamin deficiencies and hairloss and may be helpful
I found an improvement in my hair when I started taking Vit D and co factors following blood test showing a reading of 21.3. Worth getting vitamins tested and dealing with any deficiency.
Hair Loss with Hypothyroidism / Levothyroxine
Hair loss and underachievement thyroid
Hair loss - Hypothyroid?
Hair loss and Thyroid
Hashimotos and hair loss
