Hair loss in Graves disease: I have been loosing... - Thyroid UK

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Hair loss in Graves disease

maria_k profile image
5 Replies

I have been loosing a LOT of hair in the past month can anyone give me some tips? And I don't really understand why this is and typically how long this lasts, thanks in advance

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maria_k profile image
maria_k
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5 Replies
Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy

Are you on any medication?

debbiejoyce profile image
debbiejoyce

I also have graves disease and when i become hyperthyroid i know first by the amount of hairloss. Once they give me the correct dosage of carbimizole it seems to settle down xx

maria_k profile image
maria_k

I am on Carbimazole but my TSH is still quite supressed 0.01 while the T4 is borderline now at 22. We reduced the dose a bit now whereas in the past couple of months or so I have been both hypo and hyper but the TSH is taking a while to pick up.

I am loosing a LOT of hair and I am not sure what to do to stop it, can you share any tips?

Thanks a lot

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to maria_k

Hair growth is strongly affected by hormonal changes, so it's more than likely that your hair loss is caused by the high levels of thyroid hormone damaging the hair follicles. You are already taking the necessary step to deal with the hair loss by taking medication to stabilise your thyroid hormone levels.

Once your thyroid hormone levels have stabilised, the damaged hair follicles will hopefully begin the repair process, and new hair will start to grow. This will take a long time though (bear in mind that head hair grows at an average rate of half an inch a month). There's really nothing much else to be done except wait I'm afraid.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but know that you're not alone as many here have been through or are currently dealing with hair loss. It's a very typical symptom of thyroid disfunction.

alili252 profile image
alili252

Gamolenic Acid helped me stop the hair loss but i haven't seen much difference with the condition although I've heard it helps with that. Texture can be improved with a hair mask which i use every time i wash my hair or coconut oil and just being really careful with brushing and combing/styling. If your doctor won't prescribe you Gamolenic Acid then you could get evening primrose oil which I think has at least some of the same active ingredients but it's better to get a prescription as it's more concentrated.

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