Advice about hair loss please

[Catsrock23]

Hi, so diagnosed with sub hypo 2 months ago with very raised antibodies. I've been on 50mg levo which was raised due to symptoms after a few weeks so now on 75mg. But while I have seen an improvement in other symptoms my hair is shedding even more. Can anyone advise how long does it take to calm down? Is it still early days for levo to be working? I did read a really good post here about hair cycles and now I cant find it!

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry to say that you may have another autoimmune disease, i.e. alopecia areata.

I have this condition and sometimes it does grow back and sometimes it takes some time.

I also have had injections into scalp that did encourage hair to grow but my husband was present and said I have to have "no more injections" if hair falls out again. We women don't feel at our best if we''ve no hair, so I hope yours grows back quickly.

[Catsrock23 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for replying. Would I need a dermatologist to confirm that? I don't have any patches, just more amounts falling out. It really is horrible but the more I read, the more I think that once you are hypo and hashis you are doomed to lose hair. This has been happening from October and only getting worse despite being on levo and trying to eat better etc. Ouch injections sound painful but I can totally understand why you did them. I'm going to research hair toppers for when the time comes and try to come to terms with it all.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Catsrock23]

I hope your GP can diagnose as they must have had more than a couple of patients who have/had this condition.

I also have a wig to use if I've no hair at all.

[Catsrock23 in reply to shaws]

I havent even spoken to my GP about the hypo, it's all been done through a nurse and she keeps telling me it's all down to thryoid even though I pointed out my ferritin was low but it did increase at the last tests. Just have to take this one day at a time!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Catsrock23]

How low was ferritin

On Levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels

What were B12, folate and vitamin D results

How long have you been on 75mcg Levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only water between waking up and test. Last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of Levothyroxine are you taking

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

Teva brand upsets many people

[Catsrock23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for replying. I have had a different brand of levo everytime I get my prescription about to start mercury pharmacy for next one.. My ferritin is 39 and was previously 25. Folate and b12 were all nearly at top of range. I cant see a result of vitamin D in my tests so will need to check that. I've been on 75mg for 5 weeks now. I'm going to see my nurse in 2 weeks time so will ask for a further test. She said she would leave me for 6 months before another test but I'm not happy about that!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Catsrock23]

Definitely book retest after 8 weeks

Very important Book early morning appointment, only water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Likely eventual dose Levothyroxine approximately 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight per day

Ferritin far too low

Exactly what were B12 and folate results and ranges

on Levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Fortie in reply to Catsrock23]

i have had a problem with thinning hair for a long time - I had been using Plantur 39 shampoo and there was some improvement, but had worsened recently - lots of shedding. Blood test showed low Vitamin D - Now on a loading dose from GP and also changed to Dove Intensive Repair shampoo and conditioner. This has really made a difference to my hair ( less shedding an hair looks thicker now. Worth a try of the shampoo to see if it helps . But it may be worth asking for Vit D test. Just adding due to my experience.😀

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Catsrock23

How low is ferritin? Have you had a full iron panel done to see if you have iron deficiency?

Hair loss can be due to low ferritin or low iron - see

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

particularly the part where it says:

According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.

Symptoms of low ferritin include:

◾Weakness

◾Fatigue

◾Difficulty concentrating

◾Poor work productivity

◾Cold hands and feet

◾Poor short-term memory

◾Difficulty remembering names

◾Dizziness

◾Pounding in the ears

◾Shortness of breath

◾Brittle nails

◾Headaches

◾Restless legs

Symptoms of iron deficiency:

◾Persistent fatigue

◾Pale skin

◾Shortness of breath

◾Headaches

◾Dizziness

◾Heart palpitations

◾Dry skin

◾Brittle hair and hair loss

◾Swelling or soreness of the tongue or mouth

◾Restless legs

◾Brittle or ridged nails

[Catsrock23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, yes full panel done twice. Ferritin has increased since starting levo from 25 to 39. I'm trying to eat more liver and eggs etc but the hair loss hasnt slowed down at all. I'm quite clueless about optimal results as this is still new to me but research on this forum has been a god send! Will do a private test to recheck iron and see.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Catsrock23]

yes full panel done twice.

What were the results/ranges?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

ferritin

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

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

An article that explains why Low ferritin and low thyroid levels are often linked 

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin 

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

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.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Effective supplement if iron panel allows you to supplement

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Iron and thyroid link

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Excellent article on iron and thyroid 

cambridge.org/core/journals...

Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Shellfish and Mussels are excellent source of iron 

healthline.com/nutrition/he...

Heme iron v non heme

hsph.harvard.edu/nutritions...

Ferritin over 100 to alleviate symptoms 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Great research article discussing similar…..ferritin over 100 often necessary 

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Low Iron implicated in hypothyroidism 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Ferritin range on Medichecks 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

We have received further information the lab about ferritin reference ranges. They confirm that they are sex dependent up to the age of 60, then beyond the age of 60 the reference range is the same for both sexes: 

Males 16-60: 30-400 ug/L

Female's: 16-60: 30-150

Both >60: 30-650 

The lower limit of 30 ug/L is in accordance with the updated NICE guidance and the upper limits are in accordance with guidance from the Association of Clinical Biochemists. ‘

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called hashimoto’s

If not yet had coeliac blood test request it’s done BEFORE trial on strictly gluten free diet

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels 

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working 

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common. 

 A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link) 

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies 

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first 

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

Hashimoto’s and leaky gut often occur together

[Catsrock23]

Thank you so much, lots of info there to read and I really appreciate it.Here recents results, 2 weeks into my 75mg increase

TSH 2.26 (0.27-4 20)

Ft4 19.2 (12-22)

B12- 595 (197-771)

Folate- 16.1 (3.9- 26.8)

Ferritin 39.6 (13-150)

Am taking wellwoman as I had that in the house but open to buying separate ones if I know which to buy! Will book the vit D test asap.

[Brightness14]

I have had hair shedding in the past but only when I was seriously ill. It grew back within a few months. More recently when my medication for thyroid changed and I became ill again i.e. last September my hair started to shed again. Every time I brushed a handful of hair appeared. This has now stopped since I have got my medication corrected again. I am just waiting for it to grow back now.

[dgleds]

Me too...my hair is so thin now...I dont see it come out, but super thin...Ive been using Olaplex products to help hair improve...it looks nicer, but still thin My friend recommended "Nioxin" treatment for thinning spots...u get a shampoo, conditioner, and this treatment stuff...You can buy a trial kit too...It worked for my friend...im just starting it....Also there is a company called "Aveda" that makes a hair thickening tonic...it works temporary, but works well...All possible to buy online probably from amazon....Im hypo thyroid...I was once over medicated for a while...