Change of Levothyroxine brand (to Teva) possibly causing hair loss?

[Cookerybookaddict86]

I may be clutching at straws here but I'm wondering whether anyone else has experienced hair loss on the Teva brand of Levothyroxine?

My 20 year old daughter has a diagnosis of (secondary) hypothyroidism and takes 10mcg of Liothyronine plus 50/75 mcg of Levo on alternate days. She was very ill when diagnosed 2 years ago but but is now much improved with no hypothyroid symptoms other than hair loss which started, quite suddenly, about 3 months ago. We have booked a dermatologist's appt for a few weeks' time but in the meantime we're trying to figure what might be causing this hair loss. She was switched to Teva Levothyroxine a few months ago when we forgot to request a non Teva brand as we have done previously, so I'm wondering whether this might possibly be the cause as I know other people have had issues with this brand.

She's already seen the GP who agreed (very grudgingly!) to test her vitamin D and Ferritin levels. The vitamin D came back at 88, and the Ferritin was 46 (range 10 - 291) which is on the low side of normal. When she was very ill 2 years ago, she had an iron infusion which immediately raised her Ferritin from 12 to 282 however her levels been slowly dropping since then despite a diet rich in red meat and liver etc, and I'm also wondering whether this might be connected to her hair loss as well?

Our GP has refused to do any further blood tests, so I've ordered a full iron panel and a female hormone profile (to include a full thyroid panel) via Medichecks. Her FT3 and FT4 were last tested in May and seemed okay - they were slightly at the lower end of the range but as she feels well, her Endo didn't think she needed an increase in dosage:

FT4 - 12.9 (10.5 - 21)

FT3 - 4.7 (3.5 - 6.5)

I would be really interested to hear if anyone experienced anything similar with Teva or has any other suggestions as to what can be causing this hair loss. Thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Well it could be the brand

Teva does upset many people

But it could be that she needs dose increase

Last test in May

Was it done as recommended? 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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

Low vitamin levels suggests perhaps she may need to change Levo or T3 dose

Suggest she get retest of thyroid levels

Is her hypothyroidism autoimmune?

What were most recent vitamin D, folate and B12 results

What vitamin supplements does she take?

Many, many thyroid patients find they need to take vitamin D, separate magnesium and separate vitamin B complex daily

Some also need separate B12 as well, especially initially

And significant numbers struggle to maintain GOOD iron and ferritin levels

Does she eat plenty of red meat, liver or liver pate once a week and other iron rich foods

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

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[Cookerybookaddict86 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, SlowDragon, very helpful advice!

Her hypothyroidism is secondary rather than auto-immune, or least this is what her endocrinologist said.

She's going to do more blood tests with Medichecks next week including another thyroid panel which will hopefully shed some more light on her hair loss.

[Wua13262348 in reply to Cookerybookaddict86]

Secondary hypothyroidism per a renowned UK endocrinologist speaking on a YOUTUBE video for The Pituitary Foundation, states that it always starts with problems with growth hormone. Secondly, gonadotrophins. So, it is good that you are going to test her female hormones. Thirdly, it affects the thyroid. Fourthly, the adrenals. In that order.

Vitamin B2 , per Pernicious Anaemia site in Australia, and b12 oils.com, is key to the thyroid functioning properly, and if vit B2 not high enough, Vit B12 will be biologically inactive regardless of what a serum or active B12 test says. It is not as simple as that. You'll need to read it for yourself. If she is taking a B vitamin complex and there is enough B2 in it, her urine should be bright yellow. Otherwise, she needs more B2.

I think they imply that not until B12 and B vitamins and thyroid are optimal, will you be able to get Vit D and iron properly sorted. You need to try to optimise the core vitamins , but it may be difficult for reasons explained on the site.

[redhead41]

Both T4 and T3 are too low. Vit d is probably also low but you need the units. If they nmol/l then normal is nearer 200-250

[Shredder29]

I was on the Teva brand alongside liothyronine. I didn't feel brilliant on Teva and my hair seemed brittle. When I switched I felt better. I know take Eltroxin alongside Liothyronine