Hair loss and what tests to do: Hi, I have... - Thyroid UK

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Hair loss and what tests to do

Yppah profile image
15 Replies

Hi, I have Hashimoto’s and have started taking levothyroxine, increased a few weeks ago to 75mcg. I suspect I need an increase as feel worse after feeling like I had a little more energy again, but guess I need to wait and test bloods before this happens. I already had dry, fragile hair that was snapping off and I was losing quite a lot while washing it. But now I am shedding handfuls and my hairdresser today even commented on how thin it has got. I read another post on here re implicated deficiencies: vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, biotin, vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, inositol, iodine, iron, magnesium, niacin, pantothenic acid, selenium, zinc. Does anyone know of a test that covers all / a lot of these? My folate is at the very top of range, I’ve improved my vit D to get in to range and continuing with a high dose with K2, and active B12 is slightly over range after supplementation. My iron seemed fine on a test a four months ago but haven’t had a recent one. I take SpaTone (I know it’s not a lot) and eat chicken liver pâté a couple of times a week so suspect OK. I also take selenium and vit C and zinc and a B-complex and magnesium... I know it’s not the worst symptom of hypothyroidism, but if there’s anything I can do to lessen the impact that would be great!

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15 Replies
Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I wish I could tell you a solution but when your thyroid levels are moving either up or down you can experience hair loss. Once you have established a dose and your levels are staying the same your hair loss will stop. I have had 2 bouts of extreme hair loss lasting 2 years and 3 years and I was losing hundreds a day which is horrifying so I had hair extensions to make my hair look thicker. I used a well known women's hair loss hairdressers but you can get them cheaper elsewhere because it cost me £800 and I had to have them replaced every 12 weeks so it was expensive. I am in remission at the moment and my hair is growing back and I am losing a couple of hairs a day. It will get better but it can take months or even years to grow your hair back I'm afraid. I do know how distressing it is believe me. (((hugs))) Lora x

Yppah profile image
Yppah in reply to Lora7again

Thanks, Lora7again . Sorry you’ve suffered this. I guess I should count myself lucky that I had millions of hair to start with, so hopefully grows in at decent enough rate to replace the massive loss. But good to know extensions are on option if that doesn’t happen. Just wondering - would the extra hairloss be justification for increasing dose a bit faster? Or do I really just need to be patient? I think what’s annoying me the most is that this makes me look really ill when I was doing a great job of hiding it before!

Sarahlouise1980 profile image
Sarahlouise1980 in reply to Lora7again

Hi Lora7again, do you have hairloss when changing doses? I reduced my Levothyroxine in January and ever since April my hair has been falling out a lot. Six months so far and it’s really getting me down. My thyroid levels however are good now.

ffranny profile image
ffranny

Hi I recently found collagen supplement had a positive affect on my hair condition though it is still very fine. I am sure I have digestive problems due to long term hashis

It is a hydrolysed marine collagen and it was 6 weeks til I noticed a difference in my hair. I was impressed.

Yppah profile image
Yppah in reply to ffranny

Thank you, I have some collagen, which I take sporadically, so will bump up to regular use to see what happens. Thank you.

BEATNINE profile image
BEATNINE

i replied and you blocked me why

Yppah profile image
Yppah in reply to BEATNINE

Hi BEATNINE I definitely didn’t see any reply or block you... I have definitely replied on posts before that haven’t registered, could it be that? I’d definitely love to hear your opinion!!!!!!

BEATNINE profile image
BEATNINE in reply to Yppah

hello

definatly hair loss has many reasons one is the thyroid, which has to do with pure

nutrition and not enought good fats to help the sculp and the hair to have strenght with good fats and and you dont absorbe the nutrients threw your stomack lining vitamins and nutrients are not absorbed so as in it goes out without any benefit to your body you have to clean your intestine first so the nutrients get absorbed its easy if you try and have time to care for it. forgive my english and spelling.

BEATNINE profile image
BEATNINE

i replied but was cancelled so i dont know why

Yppah profile image
Yppah

Thanks, BEATNINE , I’m glad your message got through. I’ve been gluten, dairy and soy free for almost 6months now and have seen big benefits, this was before taking any levothyroxine. I take vit D3 with K2, B12, B complex, selenium, eat loads of folate-rich veggies, vitC and zinc, SpaTone and eat chicken liver pâté couple times a week, take magnesium, sometimes DIM, sporadic use of collagen as I mentioned above in response to ffranny . That’s the thing confusing me the most - I am losing a lot more hair now that I am addressing known deficiencies - B12 and D - that I have improved a lot. 🤷‍♀️

Yppah profile image
Yppah in reply to Yppah

PS @BEATNINE I also eat loads of good fats, I think. I generally eat fish / chicken / meat plus salad or veg for lunch and dinner, with coconut or olive oil. Is there anything in particular you’d suggest? Thanks

BEATNINE profile image
BEATNINE in reply to Yppah

hello

my sister is loosing a lot of hair and the doctor told her that its a kind of alopicia but i dont think so she is deficient in nutritiant she does not eat any fats at all and also stress has a big role to do with hair loss but dont worry because it will take a long time to heal

almost months before you see the results please you should check your hormones its very important to see if you miss some estrogen or progesteron have a panel to check it

also no smokiing no sugar no alcohol you should drink very little.

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again in reply to BEATNINE

I don't think smoking or drinking will affect her hair loss. However if you are low in iron or have low vitamin D levels that can cause hair loss. Mine was caused by Graves' disease which is now in remission for now.

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

Usually the hair loss happens about 4 months after the event that caused it .... so what ever you did 4 months ago is now causing your hair loss. So you have to be patient and wait for your hair to recover and start the cycle again.

Here is a link that explains what I mean.

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Maryam_1 profile image
Maryam_1

hi Yppah i am going through the same symptoms are you on HRT? have you checked eostrogen levels - i am having a GI map test and organic urine testing - costing a lot of money - i will let you know what results are and the advice given.

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