hey everyone the 1 symptom that I hate the most is hair loss, every day when I brush my hair I’m loosing and even more when I wash it, I try and wash my hair twice a week, to reduce the loss but it’s not helping, I’ve been taking iron supplements and zinc and copper, and others that might help hair loss. I’ve even got expensive mane n tail biotin infused shampoo and conditioner that’s gluten free, sulphate free, paraban and dye free, I’ve used that couple of times now and my hair loss is just getting worse!! Every time I wash it!! Loosing the will to live!! Any recommendations to help stop it!! Thanks this is my loss in one shower!! 😭😭
hair loss advice needed asap!! : hey everyone the... - Thyroid UK
hair loss advice needed asap!!
Written by
Gemmab1982
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
137 Replies
•
Well, the obvious thing is to make sure you're taking enough thyroid hormone replacement. Do you have a copy of your latest thyroid blood test? If so, post the results and ranges here, and let's have a look. 
Also, have you had your ferritin and other nutrients tested? Low iron/ferritin is devastating for hair. And all the shampoo in the world won't help if your nutrients and thyroid hormones are not optimal.
But, it's good that you haven't stopped washing it, as some people do, to avoid losing hair. The dead hair has to be removed to allow the new hair to grow. When you're washing it, do you give your scalp a good massage? You need to keep your scalp supple. If it shrinks, the hair will not be able to grow.
I’ve been taking iron supplements and zinc and copper
So, are you taking vit C with your iron? That helps with absorption.
Taking zinc and copper is not a good idea without getting them tested first. They have to be kept in balance, of course, but hypos are often low in one and high in the other. Taking more of the one you're high in will just further reduce the one you're low in. Usually hypos are low in zinc. But do get them tested to find out.
Expensive shampoo rich in biotin might sound like a good idea, but biotin will do you more good if it's inside you, rather than out. Why not spend that money on a good B complex? The Bs all work together, so need to be kept balanced, rather than just taking the odd one here and there. And, I believe they are all necessary for hair-growth.
Here is a time line of the tests I’ve had since diagnosis my ferritin is low!! I was supplementing with iron with vit c, as I thought this would help but I’ve found out off another lady that I need ferritin not iron, I take b complex plus once a day that has biotin in it but not much, my zinc is 30mg and believe it’s 1mg of copper per 15ml of zinc so I take just small amounts to balance them out!! But your right I need to be tested for these not just take them thinking I need them due to reading Isabella wantz book of hashimotes protocol, 😊
Isabella Wantz! Pft. I'm not terribly impressed with her. If your zinc is low and your copper high, the only way you can balance them is to take zinc and not copper. Adding more copper to high copper is really not a good idea, and I can't imagine it will do your hair much good.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron. You can get ferritin supplements but I don't think that's much help without iron. Have you had your serum iron tested?
I think I’m going to stop taking them till I know I need to take them I’ve not been tested for zinc and copper yet
Sorry not a lot of ppl on here are not a fan of her, not sure why, I thought she was ok due to her book being the first thing I read when I was diagnosed and didn’t know anything g about hashi and thyroid, desperate and looking for answers!! I thought I was checked for iron I asked for iron blood test but it only turns out they tested for ferritin and folate not the actual iron!! So seems to me I need to get my iron and vitamin levels checked that the nhs don’t do and stop supplementing till I know the results, such as iron, copper, zinc, selenium, and add more supplements for ferritin and biotin but which is the best and how much to take??
From what I've read, you can only get ferritin supplements on the NHS. And I doubt you need more biotin.
I know I Wentz is popular among people with Hashi's. And I read her diligently to begin with, but became more and more disillusioned. She seems to offer the hope to people that they can cure their Hashi's and come off thyroid hormone replacement, but that is just not true. She goes on and on about reducing antibodies, and I'm not convinced that is the right thing to do. So... I don't trust her very much, these days.
You need to ask your doctor for a full iron panel to get your serum iron tested. If your ferritin is low he should do it. If your iron is not low, just your ferritin, the best way of raising it is through nutrition, eating liver or black pudding once a week, with a source of vit C. If your serum iron is high, you don't want to take more iron. It's a very complicated subject, and I'm really not an expert.
I read her book & listen to her blogs regular emails but I was put off with the " buy me" supplements which were very expensive. There were a few good pointers I then found this site & so much better.
What is black pudding please?
It's a sort of sausage made with pig blood and fat, very popular in the north of England. You cut it into slices and fry it - if you like that sort of thing! I don't! lol
Lol...gnarly
Easylover, greygoose
I’m a self confessed lover of black pudding! You can get gluten-free too. Once you get over what it is made of give your self a little talk about you eat some parts - why not others that’s it - I prefer it to sausage. So glad I hadn’t realised it was good for me (that might have put me off). 🤣👍
Oh, it's not what it's made of that bothers me. It's the taste and the texture I don't like.
I got something good from Isabella Wenz’s Hasimoto’s book Zyrtec, Zantac, and Selenium. I know Zantac was taken off the market, but Zyrtec and Selenium were not. I take them faithfully. Selenium is very very helpful. My thyroid gland went from 52.TSH ( near death) to 3.5. Granted, it took ten years but I tried every form of thyroid supplement known to man. I’m now on Armour thyroid 30 mg twice a week(from a pig) because of religious beliefs I know this isn’t for everyone, but it’s worked best for me.My hair has grown back and is healthy. In the meantime I bought a nice expensive wig. That’s human hair. For the last 8-9 years I’ve tried to stick to a paleo diet.(coconut oil is good for your scalp and hair😊) B complex is very good too likeGrey goose said. Do not eat things that are from a can. It’s very hard on your immune system try to eat fresh vegetables and if you’re unable to get them buy frozen fruits and veggies. I’m praying for your strength. I’ve been there wher I could barely get out of bed. I understand..
I would send a pic of my bloods timeline but for some reason it won’t let me send like I’ve been blocked from sending pictures 🙈
Where are you trying to send it? On your main post above? You can only post one photo at a time, and you have a photo there. If you want to post another one, it has to be in the comments. Click on the photo icon at the bottom of the text window.
I do this but the reply button won’t light up blue for me to send it
Can't you just write them?
What brand of levothyroxine do you take?
I say this because I've been using Teva for a few months. Then about 2 weeks ago I changed to a different brand. I have already noticed that there is less hair in my brush than before. This is rather early to be sure of this change, but it's noticeable.
Different brands of levo have different side effects. It could be worth trying a different brand.
I take wockhart brand been on the same brand since the start
• in reply toGemmab1982
I took wockhart and it caused me awful hair loss - hair loss stopped once i stopped taking wockhardt.
Gemmab1982• in reply to
How mad is that it could be the thing to my hair loss but my ferritin levels are low so could be one or the other?
• in reply toGemmab1982
my ferritin levels are also low and were lower then but it was too much of a coincidence that I had started taking the wockhardt and then it was coming out in handfuls and then shortly after stopping the wockhardt it stopped.
Or both
I would swap to a good quality natural shampoo and conditioner soap bar instead of liquids.
Other than that, you need to take sure your nutrients and thyroid hormones are optimised for you.
Just to say there other causes of hairloss besides thyroid, obviously low iron levels, but things like stress, pre menopause, hormonal birth control methods, dieting, especially low protein/ or carb diets seem to increase hair loss in some people.
Plus there are lots of medications that cause it, its a depressingly common side effect. I've also heard covid infections can cause it as well. Try and think back to 3 months ago or so, to what was going on in your life because often hair loss isnt instant, but takes time to start showing up.
Have you had your Vitamin B12 ( Total or Active) , Folates or Vitamin D blood test levels taken in the last three months? Hair loss , from everywhere is a very common symptom of B12 Deficiency Anaemia , Folate Deficiency Anaemia and Pernicious Anaemia.
It also affects your thyroid function and muscles and brain function and how well you absorb most nutrients . Because you particularly require Vitamin B 12 to help you to metabolise iron and vitamin D , if you find you are on supplements for these and still have Anaemia or But D Deficiency it's more than likely that you have a B or Folate Deficiency as the underlying problem.
If you haven't had these tested recently I would suggest you request the GP to do them asap.
Hi there, I’ve been having bad hair loss and my hairdresser recommended to get hair vitamins and not the shampoos, which are apparently full of chemicals. I bought Hair-vit, from Amazon, and have been taking now for three weeks. I’ve noticed a great improvement, much less loss and my hair feels stronger and looks healthier. I would definitely give them a try.
Presumably link below?. Considering for my mum if hair loss unresolved post-singles
amazon.co.uk/HealthAid-Vita...
Yes that’s it! Sorry not that tech savvy! I think my hair loss it’s due to the migraine injection I’m on, as it started soon after that, but also thyroidless and menopausal so who knows! I would definitely recommend for your mum x
That's just a gloried multi. We never recommend multis on here for many reasons. For one thing, it doesn't contain the right forms of folate and B12. But that really won't matter due to the iron content which will block absorption of all the vitamins. Waste of money.
I agree with this I can never find a multi with the amount of b12 and others in the same tablet this is why every supplement I have is single!!
All I know is it’s stopped the hair loss so not a waste in my eyes x
Well, of course, depends what you want out of it. It's possible that you just absorbed the iron, and that was what you needed. But, for someone that also wanted B12 it would be a waste of money because they wouldn't get much, if any. And, besides, you probably could have got an iron supplement much cheaper if it didn't have all the other nutrients with it.
If you’ve taken Wockhardt from the start and are still taking, what dose are you taking? Wockhardt only make a 25ug tablet. Even if you’re taking more than one, I’d have thought (unless you are on a named brand due to sensitivities) they’d have given you larger tablets.
If you’re under dosed this won’t be helping avoid hair loss.
I’m on 75mg so 3x 25mg of wockhart
• in reply toGemmab1982
I took 25mcgs then after about 2 months hair started to fall out and continued until i stopped it completely a few months later.
Gemmab1982• in reply to
What do u take now I was worried about taking about brand due to possible side effects
• in reply toGemmab1982
Ive been taking Teva but I find it hard to take because it has added ingredients in it that dont agree with me. Trying to get Vencamil - they only come in 100mcgs but can be cut into smaller dose - some people find these easier to take.
SlowDragonAdministrator
your recent results show
Low ferritin
So get full iron panel test as next step
Meanwhile just eat high iron rich foods until get results
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
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test. Stop any iron supplements 5-7 days before test
Medichecks iron panel test
medichecks.com/products/iro...
Thyroid levels were too low and dose levothyroxine was increased to 75mcg. This will take at least 8 weeks to begin to improve metabolism
Being hypothyroid causes hair loss
Likely to need further increase in levothyroxine over next few months
Next one due mid dec but worried they won’t increase them because levels will be normal range,
My last results were normal and had to push for an increase to my doctor for 75mg!!
see what results show ….test privately too as NHS probably only test TSH
List of thyroid specialists and endocrinologists if GP won’t increase dose
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Is they any supplements recommendations for ferritin? As my levels are low maybe I need to supplement with that?
There is one by Cardiovascular Research Ltd. 5mg. I don't know if it is any good. iHerb stock it.
Hi
You have my sympathy entirely as I have very thin, fine hair. I am going to suggest another approach which doesn’t really come within the domain of this site, but consider a wig. I have one that entirely mirrors my hair style and colour and has given me the confidence to face having very thin, non-existent hair. It also stopped me stressing about my hair loss and that seemed to lessen its evident shedding!
It is an expensive outlay to get a quality one but for example the Churchill Hospital Oxford has a shop where all the chemo patients can find very well crafted wigs for no or little hair heads - there are also available financial benefits for some hair loss conditions.
Perhaps try and see this as a new you, rather than a loss of the old you.
All the very best.
It may be helpful to ask your GP to test your level of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) and your hormone levels. You may be experiencing hormone related alopecia and hormone tests will help to identify if there is a problem with your levels. Under active thyroid and age can affect hormones.
That’s really helpful as I’m also desperate to find a cause for my continued hair loss . Started falling out in August 2022 and is still coming out to the point people are noticing . I’ll ask my Médecin Traitant to add these to my annual thyroid blood test next week . My ferritin was high 357ng/ml in Dec 22 but down to 316ng/ml in April . B12 was in range. I’m 67 and have underactive thyroid . I take Euthyral .
Oh my goodness! I know exactly how you feel!
I used to have a collection of hair photos just like that years ago when I was being treated for Graves. Even worse I used to keep all my lost hair in little plastic money bags!
I found it so upsetting, it drove me round the bend so I know exactly where you are coming from.
I collected mine with the intention of taking it to appointments with me because what really got me was every nurse I saw should say ‘Oh, you’ve got lovely thick hair you don’t need to worry.’ I knew that when it was wet it had gone from being a really chunky ‘pony tail’ to the thickness of a pencil when I squeezed it dry,
Well I mentioned it to my endocrinologist who laughed(seriously - she laughed!!! not exactly unkindly I must say - and said ‘Oh ho, ho, you have gone from being seriously hyper to being seriously hypo (their fault really too much carbimazole without a blood test) your body has been on a real roller coaster ride, once your thyroid settles down it will be fine’.
Well someone on here recommended meadowsweet shampoo which I bought and used, then I eventually went on to using a Kerastase shampoo aimed at ‘healthy scalps’ you’d need to ask someone who sells it, I can’t remember what it was but my thyroid eventually recovered and my hair gradually stopped falling out thank goodness. I eat a lot of healthy foods, eggs, fish, chicken, green veggies, nuts and seeds, I mainly drink water and I think that helps. I also went totally GF to see if that helped my immune system which I think it did.
I have shoulder length hair and it probably isn’t as thick as it used to be but I’m 75 so I suppose some hair loss is to be expected and I’d say I don’t loose much now. Hopefully once your thyroid is doing better then your hair will settle down. My hairdresser said to me that had he been worried about it he wouod have referred me to a trichilogist and he didn’t think I needed that so you could always try a trichologist.
I try to only wash my hair once a week now and use dry shampoo in between.
I’ll second what someone else has said about a wig. Years ago I mentioned so someone I knew that I loved her new hairstyle - she leaned over and whispered ‘It’s a wig’. I would never ever have known. I’ve also got a local friend and an American friend who both wear wigs and if you didn’t know you would never guess.
Good luck, like I said at the time I found hair loss the straw that broke this camels back.
Recommend you consult Rain Country on YouTube. She has tons of great and sound recommendations. Functional solutions aka things that actually work and not send you on a roller coaster. Wish you well!
Calves liver helps my hair. I so hate to prepare it though. When I don't eat it, my hair falls out. I do use progesterone in the form of Progest-E, but it doesn't keep the hair from falling unless I include liver.
Taking biotin makes my back break out in bumps. I tried that a couple of times hoping it would help my nails. Gelatin strengthens my nails. It might contribute to the hair strength, but calves liver once a week is the bomb.
I do eat lambs liver once a week if I can stomach it!! Not a firm fave dish but needs must!! Lol, I have biotin in my vit b supplement and think I g if boosting this as it’s not a lot, also my ferritin is low so maybe this is where I’m going wrong I’m taking iron supplements but not ferritin so maybe that needs a boost!!
As a Chronic hair loss sufferer I can tell you a few things I've picked up along the way. The lively members here have mentioned many so I will try not to repeat.
I've seen tricholohists privately and also on NHS, been told lots of causes and reasons.
Apart from low ferritin, other infections in body can cause hair loss. (Particularly dental issues)
I was recommended (by private technologist) Maxi Hair by Lamberts, I know a few people here will not be supportive as it's a multi vit so need to be careful what's in it. But I've sworn by it over the years. Whenever I have abstained (few months here and there) hair loss persists in distressing amounts.
Another things prescribed by NHS dermatologist was " Regain" I tried this, and seems to work, but only effects stop when you stop using, also expensive and a faff, need to wash hair daily which diesnt work for many women.
I have low ferritin so fighting to keep it above 50 atm... on ferrous fumarate (iron twice a day for 2.5yrs) managed to get ferritin up from 14.
The hair in your plug hole is what I get everytime I wash mine, I collected mine for a month to show doctor, which is what led to referal.. it was an alarming amount!
I felt comfort being told we lose approx 100 hairs a day anyway so it's not that bad, the longer you leave between washed the more hair thats seen of course.
All the best 😬
Hi my ferritin levels are low at 38, but I’ve not been tested for iron, I’m going to ask my doctors if them can test iron not just ferritin and folate, I though taking an iron supplement will help with that but turns out they are two very different things from the same family,
I also have gum disease, which as been ongoing for years and today I’m booked in to have my gums cleaned, so that will stop my bleeding gums!! I was thinking the can’t help either!!
Ferritin is the stored iron, thats what we need to get higher, over 70 for hair growth. It's more complicated than that's the basic. The private tricholohist told me that any dental issues will also cause hair loss, because the white blood cells are working hard to clean up issues the hair is the first place to be neglected.
Hoping you get some answers soon, it's a constant battle. 😊
What do u recommend as a ferritin supplement
I can't, I've not heard of ferritin supplements. Need to get that iron into cells, take iron supplements with vit c, away from other vits and calcium (and caffeine)... and levothyroxine!! I take mine 1st thing with water, and nothing for an hr! I'm prescribed ferrous fumarate, didnt do well on sulphate so changed.
Also as I said, Lamberts Maxi-hair.
I was taking iron supplements as my ferritin levels were low, but I’ve been told that I can’t take iron unless I’ve had a blood test for it!!! So I’m really confused now, I’ve asked my doctors for an iron blood test, I’m doing everything I can to eat iron foods and was taking iron every other day with orange juice,
4hours after my levo and 2hrs before food
to be honest I take b complex too as well as selenium, copper and zinc most of the minerals in that maxi hair, but I’ve been told that I shouldn’t take them if I’ve not been tested for them so again I’m lost now on what to do and what I can take?? 🤦🏼♀️
I have my iron tested about every 4 months, I have to remind docs I'm on iron replacement so need it checked.... despite the amount of iron I take still can't get it at a good level (ferritin) May be a food tip to collect hair in a zippy bag to show doc... worked for me, also clearly thinner around front so they couldn't argue with me.
Insist on bloods and see where you're at.
I mentioned the vits because I genuinely see a difference when I have not taken them, would rather not sue the other traces in the Lamberts but they do work.... only downside is all other hair grows like mad, legs bikini etc so getting waxed is a waste of time because 3 days later I'm stubbly all over. 🤣
Oh that last part made me chuckle!! 😂
The docs got back to me and said my iron panel is due mid dec so I’m the mean time is it worth looking for a ferritin supplement and take this before bloods check as I clearly need it and I’ll take iron as well
I've never heard of a ferritin supplement, ferritin is a blood protein. To my knowledge the only way to raise it is to get enough iron into blood. Definitely need a full iron blood panel done.
I’ve asked my doctor for one asap he said a iron panel has been booked in for mid dec
Definitely take ferrous fumerate with 1000mg good quality Vit C! At least 3 hours away from thyroid meds! Ferritin needs to be 90 for a woman! Xx
I’ll have a look at this thanks as well as luscious hair, I do take 1000mg x2 a day so can I take it with vit c supplement?
I massively feel for you and I had this too! What helped me MASSIVELY is Luscious Hair from Bliss Energetics. It’s pricey and it’s from America but one jar lasts about a month and it really does what it says on the bottle. After about 2 jars my hair started to get thicker and now it’s back to being lovely and nice!! I’m so happy! I can wholeheartedly recommend this product, it’s all natural, vegan and herbs only. I like the taste, I put in a few drops of stevia to sweeten it a little. I take 1/2-1 tsp every night.
Hi Gemma1982, Thank you for posting. I am in the same boat as you and at a loss as what to do. I have been trying to get a doctors appointment but am seemingly on a waiting list for an appointment, maybe for a dermatologist? Anyway in the meantime I've been doing research and apparently low Vit D can cause alopecia. I do know that my Vit D is low but I am hypoparathyroid so it's difficult to increase Vit D without it affecting my calcium levels and interacting with my One Alpha medication. I am trying tho. I'm also taking Vit B complex supplement and just started ( 2 weeks) taking Cod Liver oil . I am gluten free and trying to eat more food with natural oils, like peanuts. This bout of hair loss has been going on for at least 12 weeks now and every time I washed my hair I also was losing handfuls like your photo.
I have noticed that the last two times I have washed my hair, much less hair has come out so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe it's slowing down.
My endo appointment is not until February.
I will read all the replies to your post and hope that some of the advice will help me too.
Good luck. X
thanks for sharing gud luck to u too x
I started taking Collagen powder (not for hair loss) but joint pain and surprisingly my nails are growing like crazy and so is my hair apparently joint pain relief comes later but I feel like my hair quality has gotten better and supposedly it doesn’t interfere with thyroid testing… asked here a while ago.
You should definitely get iron and thyroid levels tested again.
Batty1 can you recommend a good collagen powder?
Also I'm sure my hair benefits from taking Vit D3 every day. (And everything else too.)
I use Vital Proteins Collagen .
Thank you! Good luck to Gemma too. A lot of us battle this.
Hi Gemma so sorry to hear about your hair loss. I had the same and as I’ve got long hair was awful and scary. I heard a doctor on the radio say up your vitamin D I’ve tried thus and my hair is a lot better now still thinner but no more falling out! Good luck
Hi! Check with your doctor first, but taking biotin orally daily was part of my daily routine when I was on MTX. I had stopped taking it but I’m ready to ask my doctor if I should take it again and what strength as my hair is falling out once again. This time I believe it’s my thyroid causing the problem. But who knows for sure. I do believe that biotin will help. Best regards.
Some thyroid medication itself can cause hair loss, particularly in the first three months. After that things are supposed to normalize. I am in this place myself. My pharmacist said just to wait it out.
Hi Gemma, can empathize with you , my hair loss looks like your photo of everytime I wash my hair or comb at the moment . Hair really getting thinner.
Have noticed over the years that happens occasionally - didnt know anything about blood markers then and wold have my longish hair cut to chin or ear length. Always improved as hair not as long and felt better seeing less fall out.. But hair growth is in 12 week cycles, so it could be any deficiency / cause of the loss could have been 3 months ago (not really sure.
I have a ferritin level of 150 (high) but if you have an inflammatory condition , Ferritin is seen more as an indicator of inflammation rather than iron stores. As Ferritin is an acute phase reactant. Body will store iron to keep it away from feeding pathogens which is how it sees inflammation as an attack. So I always ask for a full iron panel. Just had taken. And my CRP denoting inflammation is within high normal range so it doesn't need to be sky high.
My transferrin pecentage is extremely low in my opinion if not dangerously low at 15% . The transferrin % index is like having money in your purse. When the body needs it or needs extra immediately it can get it. So even though I have a high ferritin which is not a reliable indicator, my true indicator of available to body is drastically low. So I have started taking a natural liquid iron supplement called Blue Iron - from amazon , contains vit c for iron absorption
My folate a few months ago was found to be deficient and I started taking a strong folate supplement containing also B12 . I had been used to taking B12 anyway but not folate. My recent blood test showed >20 ug/L folate so the supplement worked. But my hair loss could have been triggered 3 months ago and will take time. Or could be to do with iron deficiency or both
Hope this gives you an insight into what could be happening x
Thank you that’s really good info, my current ferritin is 38 and folate is 15.5 folate has gone up from last blood test but ferritin has dropped, so thought I’ll take iron supplements with vit c to booste this up
My GP said to me that they tend to test serum iron levels (full iron panel) 3 -4 months after starting iron supplements to see the result and effect. I'd also focus on eating folate rich foods considering your hair loss. The best folate food is liver. I have therfore started taking ground up liver capsules. If you do this make sure it is from grass fed lamb or beef amazon. I am also now eating 2 boiled eggs every day a good source of folate. I have been reading up about folate since deficient. I had always thought that eating plants was the best source but apparently when cooked much of the folate is reduced which is not the case with eggs and animal food which increases. So seems a good bet to get folate from animal food and the fruit and veg would be an extra. It seems that not many blood tests ago I was >20 and then fell to deficient. With this deficiency my homocysteine level shot up and I noticed my hair falling out
Take Care
shawsAdministrator
I know how you feel as I have no hair at all and that's gone on for a few years now. It is another 'autoimmune disease (for me) but you need to be referred (or go private) to an appropriate specialist.
IvI already spoke to my endo about it and mentioned it twice to my doc I’ve just been ignored really, endo says they is nothing I can do about it, and goes on about at 12 week cycle!! But yeah
You’ve certainly hit a nerve with this one!
A couple things in my opinion just because I hear that familiar panic & confusion in your posts. I love this board for demystifying all of this and I hope you get the same peace and calm from all this knowledge.
In my opinion (in addition to all the great advice above) my hair loss/thinning was my first symptom 8 years ago. And now I’m the past 6 months based on the advice of this board for the first time I can see it improving because:
1) t3/t4 slowing getting optimal - this core problem has fixed a dozen symptoms at the core. Read the posts all over this board about what to test, when to change Levo or Lio doses, until your thyroid bloods are optimal. Nothing will really work when your T3 is against you.
2) also read the posts all over this board about iron. Low ferritin is awful, by the way. But if you know that, then take your time to get that Dec test, and see your situation. Iron is toxic at high levels, and even the right treatment takes forever to show results. Once you have those results let us know - options are synthetic iron supplements (which many have trouble tolerating), heme iron (which many prefer), or transfusion (fast but risky if you don’t have a full bloods picture ). Importantly though, iron supplements take at least 3 months if not years to bring your levels up. Also reiterating from above, low iron results mean iron supplements. Low ferritin results mean eating liver!! I’d say there aren’t any ferritin supplements, none that I’ve heard of or that anyone on this board talks about ever using.
Thyroid and iron problems cause hair thinning and loss. You may indeed have other causes but in my experience tackling those two are my priority. So while you seek out all other options, use the time to optimize t3/t4, and figure out your iron.
Thank you that’s makes so much sense, after all the advice my plan of action was to take the blood test mid dec, and carry on eating foods high in ferritin such as livers 1-2 a week if I can stomach it!! Lol, thinking of making liver pate instead too!!
This week alone I’ve had my gums cleaned at the dentist which I lost quite abit of blood, as well as starting my monthly on the same day!! I went to bed last night felt awful, not sure what the hell that was but I feel abit better now I’ve slept!!
Once I have the results I’ll post in here and go for the next step which would possibly getting my t3 levels checked and figuring a way with all you lovely ppl what’s the next thing to try!!
I can only speak from a personal point of view of course , but after trying , biotin, zinc , folate , vit c , E , and oils and other lotions , shampoos etc , the only thing that’s made a visible difference is vitamin B2 . After only around 10 days , I noticed less hair fall and each hair becoming stronger . I couldn’t actually believe it , well worth a try .
thanks for sharing x
I agree with greygose
Post your test results.
So we can see what’s going on. You should not be loosing hair that way
I have had telogen effluvium 4 times. I don't know for sure what caused each episode, but they seem to be thyroid related. I have Graves and have been on and off PTU and Methimazole for 15+ years. I currently am not taking either at the moment and have normal thyroid results but I also just had a TE episode this summer. So who knows! I for sure know what it is like and I know the angst it can cause. But I have learned a few things along the way that seem to help. With TE, nothing is going to stop the hair loss. I found the best thing is to keep the hair growing back. When this last TE started in July, I wasn't taking any hair vitamins or supplements. But I started right away with hair vitamins and pumpkin seed oil pills. And my hair started growing like crazy! My TE cycles seem to last about 3 months. It has pretty much stopped falling out now, but I lost at least 1/3 of my hair, probably more. I don't have super thick hair, but it's not super thin either. But the good news is, since I started taking it as soon as I noticed the fallout, my hair didn't look that much different. I honestly wasn't even that freaked out this time around, I knew what it was, I knew it was going to last about 3 months and I knew my hair was still growing.
I would suggest going to a dermatologist to find why it's falling out. They will be able to tell if it's TE or something else.
Hope that's a little helpful!
I'm sorry, but results without ranges are meaningless as they vary from lab to lab. 
Oh right ok I’ll do it again and put the lab ranges in sorry🙈😂
No problem.
8th June diagnosis results
t4 6.6 - normal range 7.0 to 17.0
Tsh 8.37 normal range 0.20 to 4.50
ferritin 53 normal range 5-85
serum c reactive Protein 7 normal range 0-7
30th June
vit d 51.6 normal range 50.0- 250.0
B12 112 normal range 145-910
Folate 8.8 normal range 3.0-20.0
11th July started supplements for b12
b12 188 normal range 145-910
Serum LDH 322 normal range 250 to 500
21st august
t4 8.7 normal range 7.0-17.0
Tsh 5.81 normal range 0.20-4.50
9th October
T4 9.2 normal range 7.0-17.0
Tsh 2.17 normal range 0.20-4.50
vit d 74.5 normal range 50.0-250.0
ferritin 38 normal range 5-85
b12 259 normal range 145-910
Folate 15.5 normal range 3.0-20.0
31st Oct
Endo blood test Tsh only he said 0.18 normal range is 0.20-4.50
T4 9.2 normal range 7.0-17.0
Tsh 2.17 normal range 0.20-4.0
You were very under-medicated there. Did you get an increase in dose?
31st Oct
Endo blood test Tsh only he said 0.18 normal range is 0.20-4.50
That's a very unimpressive endo! Just testing TSH is totally inadequate because the TSH can be 'normal', but your thyroid hormones still low in range.
Were both the 31st October test and the 9th October tests done at the same time of day?
B12 112 normal range 145-910
11th July started supplements for b12
Did the GP prescribe the B12 supplements? He should actually have tested you for Pernicious Anemia, as your B12 was below range. Are you still taking it? Are you taking a B complex with it?
vit d 51.6 normal range 50.0- 250.0
That's very low. What is being done about that?
Yeah I asked for an increase in meds to 75mg after that last thyroid results,
The endo was unbelievable, some young Asian doctor who couldn’t wait to see me out the door!!
And yes both bloods were done around 8am 8.30 and always before 9am
And no doctor didn’t prescribe me anything despite me telling him I feel really awful, he told me it’s the levo, and I’m to wait 6weeks for next lot of bloods, I had to self supplement as I didn’t want to wait feeling awful,
I was tested for pernicious anemia in July and they was no results on my nhs app so I asked them yesterday to be tested for it and the doctor told me I had been tested in July and the results were normal no number reading results just normal!!
I’ve been taking b complex since July and yes I’m still taking b12 better you spray at 2,400 day
And for vit d at the time nothing because I was still in normal range!!
Dear lord! In-range by 1.6!!! So, they were waiting for it to go down to 49 before they would do anything? Do these people actually have brains??? Hardly surprising you're losing your hair with the treatment you're getting! Or rather the lack of it. That vit D needs to be higher.
Exactly this!! Looking back then I thought I was ok as I knew nothing about where my levels need to be, thinking no it doesn’t surprise me because the docs are absolutely s**t at knowing anything about vit levels and where they need to be for hashi patients!! I was teaching my doctor!! I need to optimal levels even the endo I told him I need to be optimal not normal range
Well, thing is, the tests for PA aren't 100% reliable, so you could have a negative result and still have PA. I'm not a expert on B12, so I would suggest that you post on the PA forum, and ask them for advice because that level is very worrying:
healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...
What about the vit D?
Yeah it was worrying at the time but my b12 is up and it’s continuing to rise, as u can see through the months up to now, no one told me my bird levels need to be optimal so my levo works better!! I’m trying but what else can I do I’ve got another vit levels blood test mid December
OK, if it's rising, that's good. But, you are still taking the B complex with it, aren't you?
'bird levels'? 🐓🦅🕊🦢🦜
You should really have been given B12 shots with that low level. Are you veggie or vegan?
I doubt any doctor actually knows about optimal levels of nutrients. They know nothing about nutrients because they don't learn about them in med school. They tend to think that food is just stuff that makes you put on weight!
You really do need to do something about that vit D, but I can't advise you there. It would probably be best to post a new question asking just about the vit D, because this thread has got a bit long and complicated, now.
Sorry about that bird typo!! I mend blood!! 😬😂😂, yeah I’m taking b complex once a day with my b12, but I have the spray twice a day so morning after breakfast and after lunch!with my vit d Spray, my vit d has gone up since the low levels back in July, but it’s only raised abit so thinking of upping my vit d to 4000 from 3000
I’m a meat 🥩 eater!! Lol x
And are you taking magnesium and vit K2 with your vit D? The three works together.
Yes I take megnisum 1x 3 times a day!! And my vit d has k2 init
What are your FT3 and Reverse T3 levels?
I think you meant this question for Gemmab1982 but you actually asked me.
I doubt if she would know her rT3 level. It's not relevant anyway.
It is relevant. My hair was shedding big time when my reverse T3 went up on t4 containing thyroid hormone.
These dramatic swings in blood sugar encourage your body to convert more T4 to Reverse T3, an inactive form of thyroid hormone. This slows down all of your metabolic processes and can cause thyroid hair loss - I’m quoting a doctor who treats thyroid patients. Reverse T3 is soooo important to monitor, it’s what saved my life.
I really need to get my t3 tested asap
Yes, you totally should. I’m so sorry about your hair loss.. it happened to me, too, it was so traumatic because I naturally have super thick long hair. It stopped shedding once I got on T3 only treatment, as T4 containing medications were making my Reverse T3 sky high.. which makes you more hypothyroid. As soon as I got off the Nature-thyroid, my reverse T3 went back down to where it was before treatment. I did stay on the Liothyronine and my hair grew back in.. I also eat very well, mostly meat & organs do to bloating issues - I guess they call it a ‘carnivore’ lifestyle. It’s important to rule out these issues to figure out what’s causing your hair to fall out.
I really, really doubt that. What dramatic swings in blood sugar? And, if rT3 is inactive, how does it slow down all your metabolic processes?
You can doubt it all you want, but you can’t change the fact that reverse t3 plays a role in weight gain, hair loss, etc.—it just does.
But how can it if it is inacteve? Inactive means it doesn't do anything. But you're now saying it 'plays a role'. And saying 'it just does' doesn't explain anything.
You may just be unaware of these facts and that’s okay, but don’t claim you know everything by saying “I highly, highly doubt that.” I trust the source more than someone on this forum, and, I choose to trust my experience was real. My hair grew back in and very thick once my reverse T3 went down, period. Good day
Moonchild10, ' I trust the source more than someone on this forum, '
Please point us at 'the source' so that members can see the information first hand.
rT3 is something we often talked about on here, so I am aware of it's existance. Not sure what you mean by 'these facts' but many so-called facts about rT3 have since been disproved. But, thank you anyway for your indulgence!
But you keep contradicting yourself. First you say it's inactive, then you say it does something. First you say it's rT3 that cause hair loss, then you say it's low FT3. You appear to be a bit confused. Personally, I would go with the low T3 causing the problem, that sounds more plausible than an inactive hormone being active. But you don't need an rT3 test to see that. You just test the FT3. And if you want to see how well you convert, you also test the FT4 and compare them.
And, anyway, if you have high rT3, what are you supposed to do about it? You don't mention that.
What's more, saying I doubt something is not the same as claiming I know everything. It appears to be you claiming you know everything without backing it up.
I too lost my hair - all of it. The lot fell out in one go in the shower one day. I do not have the possiblity to test rT3 here in France, but I did get my my hormone and nutrient levels tested. I was low in just about everything but I concentrated on my iron. And by improving iron levels, my hair regrew. That is my experience.
When I might advocate reverse T3 assessment is when a patient is still experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, despite having a seemingly well-functioning thyroid. For example, if a patient is experiencing weight gain, low energy levels and hair-loss despite normal thyroid function, I may recommend testing reverse T3, in addition to looking at other potential causes of their symptoms (such as low iron levels, poor blood sugar management and so on). I may also recommend reverse T3 testing if the patient has such symptoms and has been under prolonged stress, or if they fulfil some of those criteria above for increased reverse T3 production - in these cases, identifying a raised reverse T3 can be helpful to shed light on why they may still be feeling hypothyroid, despite adequate thyroid hormone levels. Ultimately, if reverse T3 levels are raised, identifying the reason or reasons why is integral to addressing the problem - Whether its stress, insulin resistance, inflammation or nutritional issues, correcting these underlying factors will help regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and ideally, improve conversion of T4 to its more active form, T3. When speaking to others about thyroid issues, you just be educated on this particular subject.
Can you explain a bit more please. What would reverse t3 tell me that I couldn't gauge from ft4 and ft3 results? My ft4 was 60% through range and my ft3 was 17%through range. I therefore assumed that rt3 would be high Would there be anything further to learn about these results if I had had rt3 tested?
Reverse T3 tests are unaffordable for many.
Many replies say something like, "If you can afford private testing..." and not just take it as given that members can afford not just one rT3 test, but multiple, so they continue monitoring their rT3.
Unaffordability is trumps. Need and/or desirability come behind that.
(Prices will vary, but a quick check suggests around £100 as a current price.)
I’ve never been tested for t3
low T3 can cause hair loss. In fact, many see hair growth when adding T3 thyroid treatment.
I'm just wondering with your B12 so low why you weren't started on injections?
Its no wonder your thyroid hormone isnt working well, we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels for our thyroid hormone to work well.
What B12 supplement are you taking?
Good question at the time I was baffled why the head doctor of surgery would leave me with low b12 for 6 weeks before another blood test I was sick and he didn’t care enough so I said I’m supplementing as I’m not waiting 6 weeks more going like this!!
What are optimal levels at??
I’m still taking vit 12 and vit d + k2 both are better you spray
Are you vegan or vegetarian? if so then thst might be why your levels are so low.
How much B12 are you taking? How much is in the supplement and what brand is it?
If you're not vegan or vegetarian then you should be pushing for B12 injections and loading doses.
B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...
If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.
If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.
cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...
amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...
Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:
amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...
Contains B6 as P5P an active form:
bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...
healf.com/products/basic-b-...
Explanation about the different forms of B6:
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
B complex comparison spreadsheet:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Hey I’m a meat eater, and I’m taking 2,400 of better you spray I probably did back in July but I’m feeling ok now, altho I do feel alittle tiny bit shaky or nervous not sure which in the morning whe. I wake up but that soon goes when I’m moving about
If you're a meat eater then there's something wrong with how you're absorbing B12.
Ask GP to check you for coeliac disease, then push them hard for B12 injections. Your level has barely moved on supplements even.
Head over to the pernicious anaemia forum here on HealthUnlocked for further advice about getting injections prescribed. healthunlocked.com/pasoc
Once you've been on injections a week you can start a good methyl B complex.
Of course getting your labs normal is important. After that, I found straight Biotin to provide perfect results. It took a while to zero in on the minimum effective dose. Starting with a high dose which immediately stopped hair loss, then gradually reducing the dose every bottle or two. At 10,000 1x per day I started shedding again My perfect dose is 10,000 (mcg?)AM and 10,000 PM. This is likely different for everyone. I wish you all the best.
When u say normal is that normal range? Or optimal?
Normal range; nothing crazy out of wack which could indicate there is a specific cause.
I’ve just ordered some clean biotin supplements at 10,000 I’ve read that u can’t take too much because it’s a water solvent anything my body doesn’t need will just go, so gonna give this a try too!! Also pending labs results mid December
The argument that you can't take too much because something is water soluble is nonsense.
Think about ordinary salt?
Or sugar?
Or potassium cyanide?
All are soluble. All cause problems in excess with the excess of the last being "any"!
Being water soluble simply means the body has a potential to excrete any excess. It doesn't stop harm being caused on its way through. Whereas with fat soluble substances (like vitamin D), if we end up with an excess, that can remain in our bodies for very long periods.
I suggest this document about biotin might be of some interest:
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/B...
Thank you for this info I thought I was clued up on this clearly wasn’t looking at the right info!! Thanks again 😊
I'm so sorry you're experiencing such bad hair loss.
I have hypothyroidism and have had hair fall for almost a decade. I've tried EVERYTHING; functional medicine doctors adjusting my thyroid meds (I'm taking Armour), switching to compounded T4/43, adjusting my dosage and, of course, taking all necessary nutritional supplements and nutrients. Nothing has helped. I had some minimal but positive results by increasing my protein and decreasing sugar, but I've still lost at least half the hair on my head since my diagnosis.
My vitamin/mineral blood test results are optimal and I eat very clean. I exercise regularly and my weight is optimal (I'm 5'2 and 115lbs).
I've even tried alternative hair treatments like PRP and red light therapy.
I'm not under any stress (other than my hair loss!); the problem is the Armour thyroid medication. Don't get me wrong -- I appreciate that I feel so much better on it rather than on Levo alone, but there's something about it that causes hair loss and this is a well-known problem among many users who don't have significant stress or nutrient deficiencies. Blaming biotin is frustrating because most hair loss is not from a biotin deficiency and most people consume enough unless they're vegan. Even then, it has to be severe to cause hair loss, but regrowth will only improve if it was unrelated to any other cause, like the thyroid.
Again, this is a common problem among people who take NDTs like Armour/Naturethroid, Levothyroxine, compounded T3 & T4, etc. -- it's caused by the medication. It could be because even if our thyroid labs appear optimal, we're still hypo or hyper; or there's something about exogenous thyroid hormone treatment that messes with hair follicles, because they are directly altered by the thyroid. I also think there's an additional estrogen-related problem, because the situation worsens when we hit menopause, and thyroid hormones alter estrogen (which also affect hair).
I'm sure somehow there's an answer somewhere, I just don't know how to find it before I lose the rest of my hair
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Hair loss
Hello all!
I was diagnosed a month ago and am on 50mcg levothyroxine plus folic acid tablets. I...
Definite hair loss improvement
So about 4 months or over since I had the meds increased to 75 by GP. The masses of hair loss I was...
Hair loss
Have any of you had such a lot of hair loss that you need a wig? Or, does it stop at some point?...
Hair Loss
Hello
I am new to this site but was wondering if anyone could give me some advice.
When I was 17...
Help with hair loss
I just wanted to share my experience of a home remedy for hair loss and hope readers fine this...
Hair loss due to Propylthiouracil 
