am I balding or just thin hair?

I'm 30 and getting quite concerned about the crown of my head thinning out. I recently had my hair cut short as it is already fine, and had it coloured too after 5 years. I can see that my roots are coming in so I am hoping it is cos it is thin. I style it every day but use heat protectant and wash every other day but never had this issue before. I have vit D deficiency but other than that I haven't got any other health issues that I know of. I'm quite worried and was up last night crying after my husband spotted it. I swear to God if this is how it'll be then I will just buzz it off and wear a wig. Feel unsettled by it now. I post on thyroid forum because my friend said that I need to get my thyroid checked but I did a year ago and it was fine. Both my dad and mum have fine hair so I know that's how it is but the thinning is what's putting me down.

[greygoose]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Are these the results you refer to as being 'fine'? I'm afraid they're not fine at all. The results are in-range, but the TSH is too high - you are technically hypo when TSH reaches 3 - and the Frees are on the low-side. And that was a while ago, wasn't it. If I were you, I'd get them done again, just to see how things are progressing - could go either way.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Hi. I did discuss these results with my gp when I went to get my 2nd blood test for vitamin D and he said they're all in range so nothing further to be done. I did send them an econsult and hopefully they'll do blood tests then, but I'm not banking on it.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Yes, obviously he said that. That's what doctors believe. They think that if a result is anywhere within the range, it has to be ok. They don't really understand blood test ranges.

With most blood tests, it's where within the range that the results fall. That TSH range is rediculous. As I said, technically, when the TSH reaches 3, and comes back at 3 two or more times, you are technically hypo. And in some countries you would be treated with that result. But, the NHS says that the TSH has to be over 10 before they will treat - which makes you wonder why they have a range in the first place!

If we look at people who have no thyroid problems, their TSH will be around 1 - never over 2. And, their Frees will be around mid-range.

The problem with your labs is that the TSH is over 3 - which is abnormal, in fact - and your Frees are below mid-range. And, not only are they low, but it takes an abnormal amount of TSH to get them to that point.

Of course, there could be other explanations for these results - some sort of virus, or something - which is why they should be repeated to see if they have sorted themselves out, or got worse.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Hi. Sorry for late reply. I had routine blood tests done today. I am not sure whether they include thyroid check as it was via econsult and the phlebotomist was not much help either. My NHS thyroid test that I had done after medichecks came back normal range too. Would that have any bearing? Maybe I'm just hoping it is something because whatever I am feeling, is clearly not normal.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

If your TSH was high in range, and your Frees low, then it probably would, yes.

Don't forget to get a print-out of the results, and post them on here if you're not sure about anything. Always someone here to help.

[kittyelen]

Another thing to think about is it may well more more noticeable since the hair colour, and this is darker so you can tell more now the roots are showing more...

I can't tell as there is no before pic to compare but you could keep this photo as a record then check again in 6 months. I thought my hair was getting thinner at the front so I got The Ordinary serum stuff you rub into your scalp at night, there are many others available now it's like a serum for your scalp that's meant to help hair growth/thickness

Styling every day is a lot, maybe you could cut down I would not say the photo looks bad at all no where near to point where it should make you feel you should shave it off! There's loads of products out there to add thickness too. Use a good quality colour care shampoo don't get stuff from Boots etc it is more expensive but it lasts longer as high street ones strip colour.

I'd also ask your hairdresser, I've only the past year got on top of my hair colour I used to do it at home eek, your hairdresser will be able to tell if there are any issues with it and reassure you.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I wold definitely re check your thyroid levels and key vitamins (folate, ferritin, B12 and vit D) and post results (with ranges) for further advice. So many of us would still be unwell if we followed GP recommendations that all is well with levels ‘in range’ (as this is not the same as ‘optimal’; we all have different ‘sweet spots’)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP probably won’t test

But you can test privately via Medichecks or Blue horizon

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning, ideally before 9am

B12 was EXTREMELY deficient.

GP should have tested for pernicious anaemia immediately

Request GP test B12 and folate

Active B12 below 70 requires further testing

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, apart from vitamin D ?

Vitamin D needs testing twice year when supplementing

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Aiming for vitamin D at least over 80nmol minimum

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you’re in London get this in-depth B12 test done

nutris.viapath.co.uk/pages/...

(Postal kit not currently available)

[Rapunzel]

...and whilst you're struggling, look here beautifulbetsy.co.uk/ for something you can clip in now and do away with, hopefully, later.

[Starling87]

It's not a nice feeling..! I'm also a thin haired person and I find turmeric and other hair/skin vitamins help me. Stress is a big thing for my hair too...

Mind you, if you suffer from any other thyroid symptoms such as anxiety, temperature issues and weight problems, it might be worth getting a second opinion from another gp about your thyroid... I quite agree with greygoose.

I was happy when my thyroid was around 0 up to 1 but now when it's started to creep up above 2 it's beginning to feel worse again, especially with anxiety.

[Petalrugbaba]

It could be Androgenic Alopecia so it may be wise to get your hormone levels and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) checked. Also it is worth getting your iron levels checked, if you haven’t done so already, as low iron can cause hairloss.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Just to endorse the vitamins message above from @slowdragon , I’ve been supplementing Vit B and D as advised here a few months ago and my shower plughole no longer has a wad of hair every wash and I have a tonne of baby hairs growing in my hairline. (Also taking selenium, zinc and magnesium all spaced at different times according to advice) and some not every day. Get private blood tests if you can, follow all the advice here about when to test and then all the advice about dosing. Regarding GP, be loud, be annoying, quote NICE guidelines and ‘TSH is no indicator of wellness’ tell them you are struggling to function and be firm with family, it took weeks to convince my loving husband I needed help, it was the ‘medication for life’ but that made him realise plus me sharing every symptom all the time, explaining that it hurt to just ‘be’. We women mask so much of what we cope with. Good luck and let us know how you get on 🦋💚🦋

[London3891]

My hair looked very similar to yours a few years ago just before I was diagnosed. Whether or not you eventually start hormone replacement therapy, you may find addressing vitamin/mineral levels (as has been suggested above) helps a lot. I was able to greatly improve and reverse my hair loss by taking iron supplements and keeping my ferritin levels above 90. Good luck!

[MaggieSylvie]

I'm 77 and just had my hair cut. Am feeling the same as you but not sure I'm imagining it because of the layers. I have this thyroid thing lurking in my future.

[Sharoosz]

Did you have covid? I suffered hair loss about 3 months after having it, apparently due to fever. My hairdresser had a client who lost 70(!)% of her hair. She put aloe vera on her scalp every time she washed it. I did the same and my hair (and hers) are completely back. Mine is even starting to curl a bit! I would agree as well with the person who said don't wash and style every day. All the best!