thinning hair

[fiftyone]

Over the past 12 months, my hair has become very thin. Every time I run my hand through, hairs fall out and when I wash my hair, a lot goes down the pughole. I feel very well, by the way. My T3 is normal but high, my T4 is well above the range and my TSH is totally supressed. I have no overdosing symptoms and have taken the same dose of levo (175 mcg) for over 15 years. Of course, the hair loss may have nothing to do with my thyroid. Just thought I'd get some points of view as I am increasinglhy worried about this. My age, by the way, is 75.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Important to regularly retest vitamin D,folate, ferritin and B12

When were these last tested?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

I have my folate, ferritin and B12 tested every six months. Levels are within normal range. I eat a lot of vitamin D foods, eg eggs, salmon. I take a daily B vitamin tablet and have done for a matter of years; I take daily MSM powder, natural sulphur, very good for my arthritis. Been taking that for many years. More recently I have started taking Bioglan biotic balance, live cultures for gut balance. I do take a blood pressure tablet, amlodipine. I saw online that this could cause hair thinning and I have emailed my doctor about this, but when I look down the possible side effects of amlodipine there seems to be about 'a million'. Just about everything than can go wrong, could go wrong.

Should add that I complained about this to my doctor some months ago. I was given a blood test for something and was told everything was normal and no further help was offered. I didn't worry too much, but since even more hair has been falling out, hair by hair.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

Always get actual results and ranges on all tests

GP would say Ferritin was “normal” if result was anywhere within range. But we need OPTIMAL results

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested

You will see thousands of posts here about low ferritin

[rhenrick in reply to fiftyone]

I am new to this site. I have Hashi's ( diagnosed 3 years ago) and have been taking MSM for about 2 years now and was excited to see that you also take it. It is an amazing completely natural supplement. I have ostopenia in my fingers, thumbs and wrists. I discovered this supplement by accident but it is amazing. It takes away or seriously reduces the pain and even reduces swelling in fingers and most of all I can use a pen without pain. It is good for all kinds of things and I have mentioned it to all my friends who need pain relief. Please try it. I take 1-2 teaspoons every day though you need to build up to that. I started with a quarter of a teaspoon. It can taste bitter in water but I am used to that, or you can mix it in fruit juice. It is good for thinning hair too and fingernails. I took a break from it to see how my body would respond and after a while the pain came back in my fingers and I noticed hair loss. Back on it now.

Good luck!

[fiftyone in reply to rhenrick]

I have been using MSM for some 15 years or so for osteoathritis in my fingers. As you say, it takes away the pain. My fingers were sore and swollen before I took it. I heard about it while listening to a celebrity actor talk about it on TV. I take it with water and fresh lemon juice. Maybe I should up my dose and see if it affects my hair.

[fiftyone]

that's really interesting. thanks

[Lora7again]

I have heard that some blood pressure tablets can cause hair thinning. I googled yours and this came up.

patient.info/forums/discuss...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lora7again]

I take Amlodipine and hair loss is not listed as a possible side effect in the patient information leaflet.

[Lora7again in reply to SeasideSusie]

I think it is listed as uncommon *Alopecia*

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/amlodi...

Here is another link

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lora7again]

My Amlodipine is by Accord and Alopecia is definitely not listed on the printed PIL and I can't see it on the online one either

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

[Lora7again in reply to SeasideSusie]

BNF mentions Alopecia so perhaps it is more detailed. I did say it said it was uncommon. Also there are threads on other sites about it. I am only repeating what I have seen online that is all.

This is a copy of it

*Alopecia; anxiety; arrhythmias; chest pain; cough; dry mouth; gynaecomastia; hyperhidrosis; hypotension; insomnia; malaise; mood altered; numbness; pain; rhinitis; taste altered; tinnitus; tremor; urinary disorders; weight changes*

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lora7again]

Sounds like the BNF and the pharmaceutical companies should get their act together then.

[Lora7again in reply to SeasideSusie]

I think some pharmaceutical firms don't want you to know some of the side affects that can occur with drugs. When I was given the Mirena coil I started to have all kinds of horrible side effects. I became spotty, my hair became greasy and began to thin and I also had facial hair. I had horrible mood swings and I had continuous spotting for 16 months. I then researched it and found other women had also been experiencing the same thing. My friend had the coil and she had no side effects at all but everyone is different and certain drugs do not suit everyone.

[LivingWithHT in reply to Lora7again]

My hair hates me. It falls out more than usual at the slightest change in my daily regimen. Sometimes, I think it does it just to frustrate me 😄.

I also think if someone usually experiences hair loss then it would be a more common side effect to medications/ supplements/birth control.

[posthinking01]

I found out on t his journey with thyroid problems that the symptoms for overdosing are the same as being under medicated i.e. hair loss if you are low and then hair loss if you have too much - tired if you are too low and then tired if you are too high. Your body might not need so much now.

[Lora7again in reply to posthinking01]

I had hair loss when my levels were not right for me. My hair has been growing back after I suffered extreme hair loss for about 3 years. I had hair extensions to hide my thin hair which helped to disguise it.

[LivingWithHT]

My hair always falls out a lot, no matter what. It might decrease in intensity a bit from time to time but it still always falls out more than the average number a day. I am convinced there are so many factors outside our body and hormones that is causing this...like water quality, air pollution, chemicals in the food and drinking water, low quality ingredients in shampoos (even the really pricey brands), etc.