underactive thyroid

[fjh29]

I have underactive thyroid I can’t gain weight I’m on medication but more importantly my hair is thinning, any suggestions what I can do for my hair I’ve been taking biotin but no results so far

Thank you

[PurpleNails Administrator]

You were initially hyperthyroid.

Did you have any treatment to your thyroid or did it naturally become under active? 

Were the correct thyroid antibodies ever tested? 

What medication / replacement do you currently take? 

Do you have a current TSH, FT4 & FT3.

How high a dose of biotin?  

Did you know biotin can interfere with the testing of some blood tests?

  If taking a biotin supplement it’s best to leave off 3-5 days before test.

Important to also test folate, B12, vitamin D & ferritin. Low Ferritin often causes hair loss.  

Recommendations for thyroid test

A - Always check what’s being tested & collect test results with reference range.

B - Biotin - cease 3 days before draw to avoid possible test interference

C - Consistent unchanged dose - minimum 6 weeks previously before retest 

D - Delay replacement dose on day of test (take after blood draw) 

E - Early morning appointment. (Book as close to 09.00 as possible) 

F - Fast overnight.  This can have a slight impact.  Drink lots of water

[fjh29 in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi, thank you for your reply my thyroid happened naturally I take 5mg of carbimazole per day biotin 10,000 D3 and B12 my levels are low so the Dr told me to buy vitamin tablets. I'm getting a blood test this week so ill be able to get more information.

Kind regards

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to fjh29]

You still have OVERactive thyroid? Not under active - No replacement levo?

5mg carbimazole is very low dose.

Long term carbimazole is disliked by doctors, often by 18 months the definitive options are suggested eg is thyroid is partially removed or Radioactive iodine drink/capsule. (I’m on it long term too)

Definitely keep a record of your results.

Do you know exactly what will be tested?

[fjh29 in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi I'm overactive I will speak to my Dr but the Endrocoligist told my Dr to prescribe Carbimazole my Dr left me for two years constantly giving me blood test until I asked for a second opinion, I lost over 2st in weight I'm only 8st at 5ft 8 and I can't gain weight! It's all a mess

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to fjh29]

If your FT4 & FT3 are too high you may need more carbimazole to bring into range. High FT4 & FT3 can cause weight loss in most.

So once you find out you results we can advise further.

Not everyone gains weight when hypo lose weight when hyper -

I tend to gain weight when hyper (sky high appetite / low energy) lose when mid range. (Low appetite when thyroid levels low)

My endocrinologist also discharged me for GP to monitor as I wasn’t going to agree to RAI soon. I do have to contact the practice to arrange blood test when it’s due. Specialist said 3 monthly - but I know they intend to extend the gap between tests.

If FT4 & FT3 is in range they ignore. (My TSH is permanently suppressed) they ignore that too.

My thyroid levels did creep up. I contacted practice to request increase, they were not confident - as usually specialists do this. I said just confidently said - during lockdown the nurse specialist would contact me and taught me how to adjust dose based on FT4 & FT3.

I also pointed out about range alteration which mean 14-16 was mid point of hospital range was higher in different lab range.

Doctor was convinced I was certain about what to do and agreed to adjustment, the dosing instructions were changed but the quantity of pills weren’t (but that another story).

You have to track levels and push for control of your own treatment, busy doctors ignore all but the most significant abnormal levels.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

please edit your opening post above to read HYPER thyroid and on Carbimazole

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hair loss frequently linked to low iron or ferritin

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results

what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

If not already gluten free, get coeliac test

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

hi thank you for your reply, my thyroid happened naturally, I take only 5mg per day, biotin 10,000 B12 and vitamin D3 I'm having a blood test this week so I will forward my results if you would be kind enough to help me understand, my Dr told me to buy vitamins because my iron and D levels are low.

Kind regards

[helvella Administrator in reply to fjh29]

Just checking you noticed to stop biotin a few days (often advised 7 days) before the test.

5 milligrams is definitely in the area of dosing which could affect lab test results. Potentially it can affect many tests thyroid and non-thyroid.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

So you mean your HYPERthyroid and on 5mcg Carbimazole

Essential to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Test early morning around 9am

Stop biotin supplement 7 days before test

Test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Ideally full iron panel test for anaemia including ferritin

Test at least once

TSI and/or Trab antibodies to confirm Graves’ disease (autoimmune HYPERthyroid)

And TPO and TG antibodies for Hashimoto’s disease (autoimmune HYPOthyroid)

[dtate2016]

Try a 30 experiment / diet with no dairy / particularly cheese. If you have the occasional glass of wine, remove that too. If that works (as it did for me), let me know.

If it’s going to work for you, you should see less hair loss in about 10 days ( of course any new hair growth will very short and stubby and difficult to see), but to give the experiment a fair try do the full 30 days. (Assuming you are not already dairy free?)