hi everyone, I am recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and have had hormone issues since I was 38 (now 46). I have suffered with extensive hairloss since 38 too and not thinning - literally massive bald patches that blend into bigger patches - I now have about 35% of my hair left. (I have to wear wigs)
I suffer with hip joint pain and sporadic finger joint pain. My voice is low, im always cold unless having a hot flush. I was on the Evorel Sequi HRT patch which stopped my flushes but I have discontinued that to try to sort my hormones out without synthetics. I am on 1.5 grains of Armour thyroid a day.
I am really struggling to lose weight - I eat very well - I eat organically - Im a gluten intolerant so dont eat it. My bad habit is occasional chocolate. I ice skate every week but do work in an office so on my bum most the day.
My question is - does anyone have the same issues as me? am I under medicated? Ive had T3 before but my T3 blood levels went through the roof - although I didn't feel unwell on that. Is that ok ? I was initially put on T4 only and I got fatter lol.
My hair loss is killing me mentally, my weight doesn't help that either and my brain fog makes me feel as though im a useless human being.
Has anyone tried DHEA with an under active thryroid? Do I sound oestrogen dominant or low on oestrogen (im waiting blood levels for this)
I really dont know what to try next - im just so unhappy with my health and wellbeing.
desperate to fix the levels so my hair grows back
x
Written by
Chelleyws
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Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry for your distressing condition, it can't be easy for you. Hopefully members who are similarly affected may pop along and comment.
In the meantime, perhaps you can post your current results for any tests that you may have had, include reference ranges as well as these vary from lab to lab. For a start, most important results include
TSH
FT4
FT3
Thyroid antibodies
Vit D (also include unit of measurement)
B12 (also include unit of measurement)
Folate
Ferritin
When doing thyroid tests we always advise:
* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.
Thank you for the information, that is really helpful. Previously I have had a vitamin d deficiency and low iron but both now rectified and at good levels.
Last bloods done: (after a during two week break of all lotions, potions and pills)
On levothyroxine dose is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is ALWAYS under 2, most people when adequately treated on levothyroxine will have TSH around or under 1
Anyone on NDT will ALWAYS have TSH very low….usually well below 1
Do you currently split your dose ….half waking and half mid afternoon?
Whose prescribing your NDT ….they should be increasing dose NDT upwards
greygoose may advise on how fast you can increase …..1/4 grain I think at a time
Your hair loss might be unrelated to your thyroid, there are other causes, genetics, autoimmune conditions, menopause stress, illness,vitamin and mineral deficiencies or certain medications.
I know we hypos tend to blame everything on our thyroid issues but it could be something else causing the loss. Is it mainly affecting the back of your head. I found an article here that might be helpful.
When I was 67, ten years ago, I was very ill with a non-thyroidal illness, and suffering from malnutrition because I couldn't eat. Spent two weeks in hospital, and the treatment made me better - although I wouldn't say I was cured because they didn't know what was wrong with me! But, at least when I came out, I could eat a little. My nutrients were all very low. And, one day, a year later, washing my hair, it all fell out in one go. And, it must have been because of the malnutrition because my thyroid levels were good. When I started taking iron, it started to grow again, but it's still an up-hill battle.
I am on 1.5 grains of Armour thyroid a day. am I under medicated?
It does rather sound as if you are. 1.5 grains is not a very high dose. And, if you are under-medicated, it doesn't matter how good your diet is because you will have low stomach acid and be unable to properly digest food and absorb nutrients. But, the only way to know if you are under-medicated is to get full thyroid testing:
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
vit D
vit B12
folate
ferritin.
Has anyone tried DHEA with an under active thryroid?
Yup. And it all converted to testosterone, and I developed terrible acne! Not nice on a 60 year-old!
But it didn't do a thing for my hypothyroidism.
Why do you ask? Do you suspect that your adrenals are under-performing? If so, you need to get cortisol and DHEA tested. You really shouldn't take DHEA unless you know your level.
Eeek I think I’ll stay away from dhea then! I do need a hormone profile doing, I’ll have to book one
Has anyone tried DHEA with an under active thryroid? Do I sound oestrogen dominant or low on oestrogen (im waiting blood levels for this)
Nobody can tell you if you are estrogen dominant or deficient unless you have actual lab results along with progesterone levels because estrogen dominance refers to the ratio between estradiol and progesterone.
Symptoms can overlap so it´s important to know your actual levels.
DHEA is prescribed by some alternative practitioners who treat adrenal fatigue using hydrocortisone and DHEA. Their reasoning is that DHEA is necessary to counterbalance the anabolic effects of cortisol (much like estrogen needs to be balanced by progesterone). However, as greygoose points out, DHEA is converted in the body to sex hormones, so you can end up with too much testosterone relative to estrogen, or too much estrogen relative to progesterone (which will make estrogen dominance worse). I agree with Greygoose - don´t take DHEA if you do not know that you are DHEA deficient. In that case, it should be taken under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Definitely see a doctor to get a diagnosis. Start with your blood glucose levels, HPA Axis dysfunction (stress), thyroid and then sex hormones. Stable blood glucose is the foundation to the other hormones and good health.
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