Hair Problems

[Mazza4]

I have had hypothyroidism over 20 years and I am on 125mc thyroxine per day, for the past few months my natural grey hair is becoming very dry and brittle , im female aged 71 . Anyone any tried and tested ideas please 😊. Thank you

[HealthStarDust]

Apparently certain vitamins can reverse the effect of greying hair. I can’t remember which.

[Mazza4 in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thank you 😊

[greygoose]

5 years ago, your dose was alternating 150/175 mcg. When was it reduced? And why? When did you have your last thyroid blood test? And what were the results and ranges?

Under-medication will have an effect on the hair, but so will low nutrients. When did you last have your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested?

[Mazza4 in reply to greygoose]

it was reduced around 3 years ago, my last blood test was March this year, nurse said levels ok, Do not get a copy of results or levels.

[greygoose in reply to Mazza4]

Well then you really should. You are legally entitled to them. But, you have to ask, they will never just give them to you because they probably prefer that you rest in ignorance - that way, you can't argue! Ask the receptionist for a print-out. Never just accept OK as an opinion, get the hard facts/numbers. One man's OK is another's pretty rotten!

[Mazza4 in reply to greygoose]

Only get person to person results if medication needs changing, if they dont ring you, no changes required. Maybe next visit I can ask for them regardless of outcome. Thank you 😊

[greygoose in reply to Mazza4]

You don't need a face-to- face appointment to get your results. In fact, it's best not to ask the doctor, ask the receptionist. Ring the receptionist as ask for a print-out and say you will collect it at her convenience. This is your legal right and you should take advantage of it, if you want to get well. You need to know exactly what was tested and exactly what the results were. Don't just rely on someone else's opinions. The do not have your best interests at heart.

If you need help interpreting the results just post them here. We're used to doing it.

[Mazza4 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you ❤️

[greygoose in reply to Mazza4]

You're welcome.

[Marz]

What products do you use when washing your hair ? A good moisturising conditioner ? A good serum ? I'm 77 with white hair which needs more TLC as the years roll by !

[Mazza4 in reply to Marz]

I moisturising shampoo and conditioner, and twice a week i use Philip Kingsley elasticizer treatment, then a blow dry protection spray, but i dry on medium heat 😊 thanks

[Marz in reply to Mazza4]

Sounds good ! Maybe try an oil overnight - castor oil ? Does your diet contain good fats ?

[Mazza4 in reply to Marz]

Will look at light oil that sounds good, and check diet see if it needs anything added 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do not get a copy of results or levels.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

Is this how you do your tests?

If dose levothyroxine has been reduced inappropriately, low vitamin levels are frequently the result

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee