Eyebrow loss of hair

[heps56]

Since being diagnosed with under-active thyroid 8yrs agoI have lost my eyebrow hair is there anything I can do to stimulate the growth again. I am very conscious of this and it does get me down to the point that I refuse to have pictures taken. Have seen products on the market do they work my doctor has said their is nothing that can be done?. . Any advise would be helpful.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

My eyebrow hair is starting to slowly return since both thyroid medication & key vitamins are better in range. Can you post your latest blood results with ranges? For me, I think low ferritin & folate hindered hair growth. I check my bloods privately using Medichecks, then post results on this forum for advice.

[heps56 in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks for your reply. My bloods are due to be checked in six weeks will get a vitamin check as well. Thanks take care. Alec

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamins tested

Looking at previous posts you are only on 100mcg and male

Recently had brand change in levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[heps56 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thanks for your reply. Due blood tests in six weeks will have vitamins checked. Take care Alec

[SlowDragon Administrator]

guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight

Even if we don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until on full replacement dose

NICE guidelines on full replacement dose

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Also here

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...

Traditionally we have tended to start patients on a low dose of levothyroxine and titrate it up over a period of months.

RCT evidence suggests that for the majority of patients this is not necessary and may waste resources.

For patients aged >60y or with ischaemic heart disease, start levothyroxine at 25–50μg daily and titrate up every 3 to 6 weeks as tolerated.

For ALL other patients start at full replacement dose. For most this will equate to 1.6 μg/kg/day (approximately 100μg for a 60kg woman and 125μg for a 75kg man).

If you are starting treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, this article advises starting at a dose close to the full treatment dose on the basis that it is difficult to assess symptom response unless a therapeutic dose has been trialled.

A small Dutch double-blind cross-over study (ArchIntMed 2010;170:1996) demonstrated that night time rather than morning dosing improved TSH suppression and free T4 measurements, but made no difference to subjective wellbeing. It is reasonable to take levothyroxine at night rather than in the morning, especially for individuals who do not eat late at night.

BMJ also clear on dose required

bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m41

bestpractice.bmj.com/topics...

If even slightly under medicated, vitamin levels tend to drop

[asiatic]

My eyebrows disappeared 6 years ago and I have given up hope they will ever grow back but I am elderly there may be hope if you are younger! Haven't tried a serum. The applicators with fibres were useless. I have found the best pencil to be Collections Incredibrow. I know someone who had her brows tattooed in with great results but it needs to be redone occasionally and I didn't think it was for me as I have TED and a lot of wrinkles !

[Zazbag]

T3 has made my eyebrows grow back thicker.

[Jacs]

I lost mine too and despite feeling much better on T3/T4 combo they have never returned.

I understand how you feel as I was the same but I have had mine ‘tattooed’ on using semi-permanent makeup by a good beautician - needs a top up every year or two but well worth the cost

It’s similar to micro blading but much more subtle/realistic

[heps56 in reply to Jacs]

Hi thanks for your reply might look into that. Thanks take care Alec

[Bertwills]

Hi, I’ve been meaning to post about the success I’ve had with Rapid brow which I bought from Amazon. I’m now on my second tube and I’ve seriously been amazed at the results. It’s pricey, £27.50 at the moment but it has transformed my extremely thin eyebrows back to their youthful fullness. I’m definitely going to have to pluck them into shape again!Definitely worth a try I think. Good luck.

[heps56 in reply to Bertwills]

Hi Thanks for your reply. Will have a look think the price is worth it if it works. Thanks take care Alec.

[Canta]

Hopefully your eyebrows will regrow once you are on the correct medication. In the meantime it might be worth using a serum. I have been using Revitabrow and while it does work, it is ridiculously expensive. I am going to try a cheaper brand when I run out and hope the others work too. The Rapidlash price mentioned by Bertwills above is cheaper than I have ever seen it advertised and I will have a look around. As I understand it, serums do not regrow hairs that have been completely lost but will increase the growth phase of the ones you have while also thickening and darkening them. If you can find a serum at a reasonable price from a reputable company then I think it is worth giving it a go.

[heps56 in reply to Canta]

Hi canta. Thanks for your reply I will look into that. Thanks take care Alec