New here - hypothyroidism??

[Tire84]

Hello all, hope everyone is keeping well during these times.

Apologies in advance this is going to be a long one!

I found my way here after telling a friend about how bad my hair loss was getting. She advised I go to the doctor about it as it might be something quite serious especially as it has got much worse during the last year. Before making an appointment I decided to do some further research into other possible causes as all this time I had put it down to my PCOS(diagnosed about 10 years ago). When I came across hypothyroidism as a possible cause and looked at the other associated symptoms, I couldn’t believe it as I had so many. I also realised that there is some overlap with PCOS symptoms but I guess this makes sense!

For background, I am 36 and weight is normal.

These are my symptoms:

Hair - used to be dark brown in colour, thick and curly. Since about 2-3 years ago my curl pattern has become more loose over time and is almost non-existent. It’s very dry and brittle(I have tried every deep conditioner/hair mask out there to try and help) and breaks easily. I would consider the loss as severe as it’s handfuls during washing and beyond what’s normal throughout the day. It’s also very dull in colour and even lightening to a light brown, almost blonde in places. Also really obvious thinning at the temples.

Chronic constipation

Extreme fatigue, tiredness, low energy (even when I have had enough sleep)

Heavy periods

Low mood and depressive episodes

Sensitive to cold

(Put it down to growing up in warmer climes until the age of 15)

Cold hands and feet (need to wear socks to bed even during the warmer months)

Poor memory

Struggle to concentrate

Dizziness/feeling faint

Muscle weakness

Migraines/headaches

Some other symptoms that I have that I’m not sure are connected but thought I would mention:

Vertical ridges on nails

Always feel hungry(Even after eating a big meal. I wake up starving with a headache more often than not)

Now I had actually been to the GP pre lockdown about the tiredness and constantly feeling hungry thinking I might be insulin resistant/pre-diabetic (common with PCOS) so GP ordered a bunch of blood tests which I’m told all came back normal, so I forgot about it and didn't take anything further at the time. TSH and T4 were tested - results below. I have also included my results from my previous privately done tests back in 2018 (part of the Medichecks Advanced Well Woman Check) as TSH has increased and T4 decreased and I’m not sure if this means anything?

TSH mU/L

1.31 (2018)

2 (2020)

T4 pmol/L

15.1 (2018)

12.9 (2020) – within normal but not optimal?

Worth mentioning that my Ferritin level result was 39 ng/ml which I understand is within normal range but not optimal to address hair loss (some research says should be 50+ or even 70+) - is this correct?

I am waiting for my results for the Advanced Thyroid Test from Thriva which includes testing for antibodies, B12,folate, ferritin and vitamin D. Hopefully this will help provide some insight before I follow up with my GP.

In the meantime are there any other tests that I should be looking to get or should I hold tight for now? I know from all the reading I have done that iodine is important in the production of thyroxine so is this worth testing at this stage and if so which test would you recommend – standard or loading?

Thank you for reading, glad to have found this community! 😊

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Welcome to the forumTire84.

To be able to comment on your test results, we need the ranges. These vary from lab to lab, there are no common ranges, so to be able to interpret your tests we need that ranges that came with each result.

You do have many symptoms that could be hypothyroidism so when you get your Thriva results please post them, with the reference ranges, for members to comment.

Worth mentioning that my Ferritin level result was 39 ng/ml which I understand is within normal range but not optimal to address hair loss (some research says should be 50+ or even 70+) - is this correct?

From thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.

Vitamin deficiencies that can lead to hair loss:

hubpages.com/health/16-Vita...

I know from all the reading I have done that iodine is important in the production of thyroxine so is this worth testing at this stage and if so which test would you recommend – standard or loading?

Iodine deficiency can be a cause of hypothyroidism. However, this is rare in the UK and we can easily get the required daily amount (150mcg) from food, eg milk, yogurt, white fish, and others. Supplementing with iodine, even in a multi supplement, should never to done without first testing, only if we are deficient should we use iodine. Iodine solution used to be used to treat hypERthyroidism before the current radioactive iodine treatment, so using an iodine supplement could cause hypothyroidism.

If you want to test iodine then the best test is said to be the non-loading test. You can do this test with Genova Diagnostics using ThyroidUK as your "practioner".

Urine Iodine Test: Order Code: END25

Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health. Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.

Details of how to order this test here: thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...