Hair loss and skin rash: I am Hashimoto thyroid... - Thyroid UK

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Hair loss and skin rash

Suzi_ profile image
20 Replies

I am Hashimoto thyroid, on 50 mcg of levothyroxine & 5 mcg of cytomel, take both in the morning on empty stomach.

My hair loss, alopecia Aretera has been getting worse.

I have been getting skin rash in the evening on regular basis.

Could taking dose at different times help with the rash?

Any help on n hair loss?

I am due for a blood test. Last blood test showed thyroid levels within range.

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Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_
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20 Replies
jrbarnes profile image
jrbarnes

I only get hives/welts/itchiness when my Levothyroxine is not high enough. My FT4 levels have to be above range to feel normal so I wouldn't focus too much on ranges but rather how you feel. I've lost a third of my hair by being on a dose too low. I'm now on 100mcg.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to jrbarnes

Thanks. I will mention this to my endo

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

“Within range” thyroid hormone levels are often far from optimal.

Many of us find that we need our FT3 levels to be close to the top of the range and our FT4 levels to be half way along the range or higher to feel well.

I suspect you may be chronically undermedicated, which will lead to depletion of nutrients absorption leading to low ferritin, low B12, low Vit D, low folate etc. Low ferritin can be connected to alopecia. Being undermedicated will also cause classic symptoms of hypothyroidism—feeling rubbish, constipated, gaining weight.

Do you know what your last blood test results actually were or were you just told they were “in range”? It would be well worth finding out ahead of having your bloods tested again so that you can compare the results.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to Jazzw

Please see my blood test results posted today

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Last blood test showed thyroid levels within range.

Please add actual results and ranges

You’re on extremely low dose levothyroxine and T3

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

My results as of August 31,20

T4free 1.06, Tsh 0.053, T3 132, T3 free 3.5, ferritin 39, magnesium 2.2, vitamin D 56.

My stools are very hard.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda in reply to Suzi_

Ranges?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Suzi_

Please add the ranges on these results (figures in brackets after each result)

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Here is the Aug31, 20 results with ranges-

T4free 1.06 (0.93-1.70)

Tsh 0.053 ( 0.270-4.200)

T3 132 ( 80-200)

T3 free 3.5 ( 2.0-4.4)

Ferritin 39 ( 10-291)

Magnesium 2.2 ( 1.6-2.4)

Vitamin D 56 ( 21-100)

Cholesterol Hdl 38 ( higher than 50 mg)

Triglycerides 264 H ( less than 150 mg)

Hair loss and hard stools continue.

Only taking Brazil nuts, one combo pill daily containing-Calcium 1000 mg magnesium 400 mg & zinc 15 mgwith Vitamin D3 600 iu , baby aspirin. No extra vitamins.

Next blood test due now. Can request additional tests if required.

Thanks so much

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Suzi_

Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Last 2.5mcg T3 at 8-12 hours before test

Most people on levothyroxine plus T3 need both Ft4 and Ft3 at good levels - typically 60-70% through range

Your Ft4 is currently extremely low at only 16.87% through range

Ft3 is better at 62% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Taking almost any dose of T3 will suppress TSH.

Your results suggest you are under medicated and need 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine and bloods retested 6-8 weeks later

Ferritin is too low

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Look at increasing iron rich foods

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Yes fasting blood test with Levo after test etc. Have been vegetarian in the past but not any more. Started eating meat due to low iron levels per gp suggestion.

How do I increase ferritin levels?

My Indian diet is very good with lentils, fruits & vegis.

Thanks so much.

Lately wake up after 2 hours & can’t get back to sleep. Anything to do with my thyroid meds?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Suzi_

Ferritin is low because you are under medicated, but improving ferritin will also help how levothyroxine works

Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

Helpful post about iron supplements and testing

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first

Post discussing why important to do full iron panel test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks. I will read the articles & ask my endo to

Increase my levo, t3&t4 dose which he is very reluctant to do.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Sent u the ranges today

Hope u got them

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Please see results below. Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As per previous posts

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Please add most recent results

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to SlowDragon

Posted my blood test results, waiting for your reply

beandrummo profile image
beandrummo

Hi Suzi, I’m having a similar problem, I too the rash is driving me crazy. Where on your body are you getting the rash, mine is on my lower back and shins. I’m not losing my hair 🤞🏻but body hair is non-existent including eyebrows.

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_ in reply to beandrummo

I get rash on the arms in the evening

Suzi_ profile image
Suzi_

My fasting blood test is at 9:30 am

Should I take levothyroxine 50 mcg, T 4 after test, skip 7 am morning dose on the day of the test? Giving me a gap of 24 hours before test?

Take cytomel Liothyronine 2.5 mcg T 3 at 9 pm, 2.5 after test - giving a gap of 8-12 hours?

Thanks

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