I had a telephone appointment with a doctor from my surgery recently to discuss my results from 20th July and my current hair loss/balding patches.
I found out that there were more results that I hadn't been given as a print out when I went to collect them a week or so before , including B12, ferratin and folate (see attached - hopefully you can read them).
The doctor also had a letter from my endocrinologist (I was ‘cc’ but never received my copy). I found out there is a 'plan'!! ("...I have suggested increasing the dose of Levothyroxine to 50mcg, aiming for a free T4 in the upper quartile...")
I am due to have everything re-tested at the end of August to see if my T4 has increased and I am feeling a bit more reassured that if my levels don't improve much that I could ask for my levo to be increased again. I know that this needs to be done in stages and I have coped well with my current increase from 25 to 50mcg..
I wondered whether, looking at these extra results, there might be any supplements I could take to help my hair improve? The doctor said I wasn’t anaemic but could consider taking a multivitamin with iron however I know that this is not recommended on this forum.
Any guidance would be very welcome.
Written by
Feelingrubbish
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supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid). This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
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
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.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
Your ferritin is very, very low. That will affect your hair. Your doctor should be doing a full iron panel. On what did he base his assertion that you aren't anaemic?
No, I'm sorry, I can't. Myself, I take Sogar Gentle Iron, two a day, and that seems to suit me fine, hair beginning to regrow. But, it doesn't suit everyone. Start a new question, asking just that.
Thank you, I have been thinking about GF following reading on this forum and elsewhere about benefits for Hashimotos. I don’t have many coeliac symptoms (occasional bloating and pain but I can often work out my triggers). Asking for a test seems a good idea before launching into a change of diet for me and family meal complications.
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More results and still losing hair :(
Levothyroxine causing hair loss??
Hair loss
Hair loss thyroid? 
