Hair loss on Actavis Levothyrox. Suggestions wanted for why?

[missam]

Hair loss. I have been on 175mg of levothyroxine - post thyroidectomy for the past 1.5 years. It’s currently actavis branded although originally it was mercury pharma when I moved here to the UK from the US in April. Over the past two months I have noticed a lot of hair loss and brittle strands. Is there something I should be asking my doctor to test? It’s odd that this is happening as I usually have a full lovely head of curly hair. Would love to hear experiences. Is it the brand of drug, something else?

[Sarahlouise1980]

Did you have the hairloss when you were on the mercury pharma Levothyroxine missam?

[missam in reply to Sarahlouise1980]

I don’t think so. If it was, it might have been just a little bit. From what I have been reading On this forum in other posts, it might be the brand.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you get full Thyroid and vitamin testing

Different brands are not bio equivalent....meaning 175mcg of one brand is not exactly same dose in another brand

Low FT3 is common after thyroidectomy. Many people need the addition of small dose of T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Ft3 is low

Low ferritin often linked to hairloss

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Do you have recent results to add?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or all vitamins

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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

[missam in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow, thank you for all of this detail. My next blood test is in January so I will request this. I am currently getting my blood tests done with the Cancer Centre as I had thyroid cancer over a year ago (and don't have it anymore...) but I still have to be watched for the next 3-4 years to be considered in the clear. I do have private as well so I will try this if I don't get the full tests administered via the next appt. Thank you!!!

[dblsr]

I have been having tremendous hair loss, the vacuum roller would get full of hair not from my dog, but from me. I was panicking at the amount that was falling out. I made an appointment with my GP because my Endocrinologist is useless. I had my labs done and it came back with TSH 0.53, T4H 14.8, FT4 1.22, FT3H 4.9, RT3H 29.1 I was taking 100 mcg of Levothyroxine. Turns out I was overmedicated so went down to 88mcg Levothyroxine. It has taken about 6 months but my hair loss is down to almost normal. I haven't been back for more labs but I'm feeling great and my hair is happier too I hope this helps.