Hypothyroidism and alopecia

[gem03]

I have hypothyroidism (under active) this developed 6 years ago as postpartum, so was over and then under! Has been well managed with thyroxine but recently I’ve developed carpel tunnel syndrome, a painful swelling in my foot and alopecia, the alopecia is awful. GP believes it is all auto immune and linked to my thyroid. My TSH is normal, managed to get the gp to agree to a t3 and t4 check next week but wanted to know if anyone else has experienced similar, especially the alopecia and if so any ideas how to help it?

Many thanks.

[Lora7again]

I lost 50% of my hair and it wasn't alopecia it was untreated thyroid disease. Do you have some results for us to look at? We need TSH, T4 and T3 and also any vitamin level blood tests B12, Iron and Ferritin, Vitamin D and Folate. If your thyroid levels are not right your hair will shed and also if you have low Ferritin that can make you lose hair as well and needs to be a certain level for hair growth. Very low vitamin D can also cause hair loss. All these need to be checked before they can diagnose alopecia, has your doctor done this?

[gem03 in reply to Lora7again]

Thank you for your reply.

My TSH was normal, but I’ve got more tests on Tuesdays for t3 and t4. I know my vit D has been low before and I always struggle with my iron levels. I will request for them to be done again as didn’t think of them all being linked to my thyroid/hair loss!

[Lora7again in reply to gem03]

What do you mean by normal? The NHS guidelines mean that what they class as normal might not be normal for you. For example a healthy person has a TSH of about 1 or lower mine is 0.70 at the moment and I feel well but it is slightly low but I do have Graves' disease.

[gem03 in reply to Lora7again]

Typically I didn’t take note of my tsh, normally I keep a record of it! I will try and get hold of the result....

thank you.

[Lora7again in reply to gem03]

Just ring your surgery and ask for the result and then post it on here.

[Rosie2m]

It’s also worth noting that a vitamin deficiency could also cause hair loss, i don’t know which one as I can’t remember exactly but a distant friend of mine suffered with it quite severely but has since grown all her hair back after it being treated. Not necessarily the cause but an avenue to look down if you can’t find a solution anywhere else x

[mandyjane in reply to Rosie2m]

That could be B12 deficiency, common with thyroid conditions. have a look at Dr Chandys B12 support group online for more info.

[G2G2]

Zinc deficiency can also result in hair loss.