What can I do to help my hair loss and balding patches on my scalp?
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos about 3 to 4 years ago when my thyroid was swollen. Jan 2020 my blood tests were abnormal so I was put on 25mg Levothyroxine. Blood tests then came back better (TSH 2.5). Earlier this year my TSH has been up and down and in the last few months I have noticed my hair is significantly thinner with balding patches!!
I am having my bloods retested today but fear the doctor won’t know what to suggest for hair loss.
Anyone found a solution?
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Feelingrubbish
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Unless extremely petite likely to eventually need to be on at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day…but we frequently have to start slowly (usually at 50mcg) and increase upwards in 25mcg steps……blood test 6-8 weeks after each increase
Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 followed by Ft4. Looking for Ft3 at least 50-60% through range, Ft4 (levothyroxine level) usually a little higher. Frequently when adequately treated TSH will be around or below 1
Thank you for reply. I had my blood test this morning so not able to sort out vitamin check but I will definitely mention that to my doc when reviewing my blood results.
Yes, I’ve been on 25mg since Jan 2020 (I’m 55) with 6 monthly blood tests as recommended by the consultant who diagnosed my Hashimotos in 2018. My TSH have been coming back as about 2.5 but in Jan 22 it was 1.6 and April it was 3.8 (not sure why varying).
I normally take 25mg every morning, even before blood tests but I saw the advice on here not to, so didn’t this morning before my test. It was for a full Thyroid check which I haven’t had for a while, (the last few tests have been just TSH levels only).
I have just started taking hair and nails multivitamins. I was taking evening primrose oil but my doctor said to stop, not sure why.
Multivitamins are never recommended on here. Too little of what we do need, cheap poorly absorbed ingredients and most contain iodine not recommended for anyone on levothyroxine
Stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results
If it’s a multivitamin for hair it will contain high dose biotin
So test will need redoing
Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done privately if GP won’t
Assuming you didn’t stop vitamin supplements, Tell GP you weren’t aware of biotin contamination of blood test
(There should be notice about biotin supplements in phlebotomy department)
Request you can get retested including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels
Ok, thanks. I was taking the multivitamins to try and help my hair loss but I can see on the packet they also contain iodine along with lots of other things! I will talk to my doctor about the other checks. Fingers crossed she can help.
I am also on HRT since Jan 2022 (oestrogen patches and oral progesterone for 25 days then break for 3). I am suspicious that these additional hormones might be affecting my hair but also confused as know hair thinness is a menopause symptom so thought the HRT would help not make things worse.
In the majority of patients 50-100 μg thyroxine can be used as the starting dose. Alterations in dose are achieved by using 25-50 μg increments and adequacy of the new dose can be confirmed by repeat measurement of TSH after 2-3 months.
The majority of patients will be clinically euthyroid with a ‘normal’ TSH and having thyroxine replacement in the range 75-150 μg/day (1.6ug/Kg on average).
The recommended approach is to titrate thyroxine therapy against the TSH concentration whilst assessing clinical well-being. The target is a serum TSH within the reference range.
……The primary target of thyroxine replacement therapy is to make the patient feel well and to achieve a serum TSH that is within the reference range. The corresponding FT4 will be within or slightly above its reference range.
The minimum period to achieve stable concentrations after a change in dose of thyroxine is two months and thyroid function tests should not normally be requested before this period has elapsed.
Approx how much do you weigh in kilo
Your Weight in Kilo x 1.6mcg is likely eventual dose you would need 6-18months after starting on levothyroxine
Request/insist GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low ferritin/iron is frequently the cause of hairloss
Being under medicated for thyroid will result in low vitamin levels, especially ferritin
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH…..therefore just testing TSH is completely inadequate
Afternoon I have been taking Teva Levothyroxine since June 2021 for Hashimoto’s Underactive Thyroid mine was gradually increased upto 100mcg and then reduced. However, last blood tests showed I was being under medicated. I have noticed hair loss if I am not on the correct dose. However, it has also rectified itself as soon as I was on a higher dose. I have blood tests every 6-8 weeks for the last year and before any dose change. Please do let us know the results and your GP may increase the Levothyroxine after blood tests. I have never taken any supplements for hair loss as from my experience it stops once I have been properly medicated. Good Luck with everything!
Hi! Thank you so much for commenting. It’s reassuring to hear your experience. I’ve been pretty upset seeing my hair disappear and wondering whether I’ll get it back to how it was about 6 months ago.
My poor mum (aged 85) has lost so much hair in the last 10 years she’s practically bald on top but her situation is slightly different. She had her thyroid removed in her late 40’s because the doctor said it was enlarged and she has been on 100mg Levothyroxine ever since. I suspect she probably had/has Hashimotos too but never diagnosed. She also takes medication for her heart, blood pressure and cholesterol and both of those have side effects of hair loss! I think I have inherited health issues from her as I also have raised BP and cholesterol but am not bad enough for medication thankfully!
I will definitely come back here and let you know how my tests go and what my doc says. I feel much more informed now about what my levels should be.
Thank you for commenting. I agree that all the docs who have looked at my results over the years just seem happy that my TSH levels are within the ‘normal’ range and nit necessarily relating anything to my Hashimotos condition.
I definitely feeling less ‘normal’ at the moment. Apart from my hair loss, I am also feeling more tired and down and feel my thyroid is slightly lumpy.
I’m taking Teva Levothyroxine and when I asked if there was an alternative my doc said no. I’m in the UK so maybe it’s different in other countries?
I am sorry but your GP is talking rubbish - there are lots of brands of Levo available in the NHS in the uk - I’ve had a t least four different ones depending on what’s cheapest for my local Pharmacy at the time and fortunately I am Not sensitive . But many people are sent over to what the Levo is combined with So
Demand to try a
Different brand
If your doctor prescribes a generic then ask your pharmacist as they are under a duty to try different formulations for sensitive patients unless the GP specifies a brand
But more important - go back and challenge the dose and ask for a referral regarding your lumpy thyroid. You have to push back ! Sorry to say this but many GPS are under pressure and ignorant and the combination of these is lethal to patients
Thank you - that's useful to know. I wonder whether my doctor misunderstood when I asked whether there was anything else I could take and thought I meant another medicine rather than levothyroxine. I will definitely ask to change.
Quite possible but it might be worth chatting to the pharmacist first ?But seriously your main issue as others have said is likely to be under medication so see what they say about how best to educate your GP about this
Thank you, I didn’t know there was anything else I could take.
I must be lacking in something because, as well as my hair slowly disappearing, my nails seem to be breaking and flaking away! They were long and strong a few months ago 😔 Still waiting for my blood test results. I will chase them on Monday.
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