I'm a patient who has been recently placed on a low dose of Levothyroxine which I am trying desperately to get upped. Currently 25mg and 50mg on the weekends.
I'm 43, I've just caught sight of my hair in the mirror in my bathroom and there is a marked appearance of thinning of my scalp at the front and top of my head, there are patches looking shiny (bald!) under the light. I've never noticed this in my life before.!!!
Just to clarify I am a bottom ranger who has went mildly under in my Free levels of T4, then in range (bottom) on and off for four years since a total Hysterectomy. My percentage through range T4 is only 13% and my T3 is 24%. Thanks to the members on this site who have helped me identify these ranges.
My query is to do with the hair thinning, is it related to thyroid? Has anyone tried anything that will help with this any topical treatments?
If raising Levothyroxine level will help this, I am going to be extremely pursuant with my GP on the subject because right now I'm exhausted and had lost the will to battle this any further with her. The last day I visited she listened to me telling her she needed to "request specifically from the lab" that they do free T3 and T4 and the result came back with NOTHING bar my TSH tested! Im really peeved and feel if I could battle her on the hair issue its worth a visit!?
My TSH has not budged in 4 years from 2.02 to 2.04 (range 0.27 to 4.2) I believe this is where the pituitary isn't signalling for the Thyroid to produce more, is it called Tertiary thyroiditis?
Thanks in advance for any informationwhich is greatly appreciated from you lovely members.
Hoping everyone can enjoy their 🐣 holidays.
K.
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Thyroiditis is inflation of the thyroid, and as such the issue is with the thyroid itself (primary). Secondary hypothyroidism is where there is an issue with the pituitary and does not produce sufficient TSH to stimulate thyroid.
In tertiary hypothyroidism, inadequate secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus leads to insufficient release of TSH, which in turn causes inadequate thyroid stimulation.
Both or either secondary or tertiary are included in the term central hypothyroidism.
Do you have a diagnosis of tertiary hypothyroidism? or have you had antibodies been tested to confirm autoimmune thyroiditis?
Either way TSH is not reliable in either. if on replacement the aim is to have the TSH in lower part of range - nearer 1.
FT4 & FT3 in upper part of range.
How are folate, B12, Vitamin d & particularly ferritin as low ferritin can cause hair loss.
Your FT3 is higher than FT4 so conversion does not appear to be an issue but both are too low.
Thank you so much. My ferritin went from 179ug/L to 118 in 3 months. I am experiencing rectal bleeding having been found to have a 1.5cm polyp in my bowel on the thinner right side of bowel, by the junction of the small and large bowel/appendix. The operation to have this removed (EMR) is booked for 5th May. The hair thinning has worried me.
I know I'm not the first or the last to go through this and I will deal with the consequences one I get the biopsy results.
All my other vitamins and minerals were a good percentage through range. I have started a good multivitamin and B12 injections because I feel I need all the help I can get. I have a friend in Spain who has supplied the B12 ampoules and syringes. This will take B12 up to the top of the range or over, which I feel my body could use.
Thanks to all of you for your help. Much appreciated and hoping you all have a lovely Easter.
My query is to do with the hair thinning, is it related to thyroid?
It can be. It can also be due to low ferritin level. Ask GP to do an iron panel to include Serum Iron, Saturation percentage, Total Iron Binding Capacity and Ferritin. If he wont do the full iron panel ask for Ferritin.
My percentage through range T4 is only 13% and my T3 is 24%.
You are woefully undermedicated. Generally, most hypo patients feel best when these are fairly well balanced in the upper part of their reference ranges when taking Levo only.
My TSH has not budged in 4 years from 2.02 to 2.04 (range 0.27 to 4.2)
Has it ever been any lower or have you always been on such a pathetically low dose of Levo?
Hi. Whilst battling to find a cause for all my ailments during lockdown and GP appointments were via phone, I had terrible hair thinning to the point where bald patches were evident. I also lost all body hair and my eyelashes broke off. When finally diagnosed last year my TSH was in 161 and I started on 50 mcg levo increasing every couple of months. I did think a face to face appt might have prompted a quicker diagnosis. My hair starting growing again but because of the lengthy hair growth cycle it took several months to look good. So, it may well be thyroid related in your case but as SeasideSusie says, there may be other (often related) reasons due to poor vitamin levels etc.
I'm so sorry you went through that during lockdown. Its a hard one when it comes to our hair, its definitely a crowning feature for most people. I'm glad to hear yours came back and Im looking in more depth to the tests needed that you have all suggested.
Thank you. Yes you're right, I don't think Drs realise the impact of hair loss/hair thinning on women. It can be devastating. I cried each morning as I tried to make it look presentable for work. I think all women feel the same way. It's not called out 'crowning glory' for nothing. If the cause is medical then it will need medication before it gets better as other hair remedies will have limited impact. I've learnt from my own Drs surgery that the TSH should be under 2 once you're on levo so it does sound as if you need to up your dose. As slowdragon suggests, 50mcg daily at least for now. Good luck.
Have you had Covid with a fever or just a fever in the last few months? I had the former and my hair started falling out about three months after. I was just at my hairdresser and she had another client who lost 70% of her hair. (Fortunately it started to come back, as mine now starting to do.)
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