HAIR TRANSPLANT FORUM

An early statistics shows that 10,000,000 people over the world are suffering from a Thyroid Disease (usually low thyroid-hypothyroid ).
Hair can be considered a barometer of health because hair cells are some of the fastest growing in the body. When the body is in crisis, the hair cells can shut down to redirect energy elsewhere. The types of situations that can cause hair loss include hormonal changes, poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, a variety of medications, surgery, and many medical conditions, but noticeably, thyroid disease.
It is widely believed that thyroid sufferers lose hair due to decreased metabolism in the scalp follicles, resulting in early release of the shaft, root and all. sometimes the hair becomes just too brittle, and there is a great deal of loss from split ends and breakage. As you know, thyroid is intimately involved with hair function, witness that early graying and loss of outer eyebrows, is a cardinal sign of low thyroid in oneself or in the family.
Many people notice rapid hair loss as a symptom of their hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Some people actually say this is the worst symptom of their thyroid problem -- this thinning hair, large amounts falling out in the shower or sink, often accompanied by changes in the hair's texture, making it dry, coarse, or easily tangled. Interestingly, some people have actually written to tell me that their thyroid problem was initially "diagnosed" by their hairdresser, who noticed the change!

As far as what can be done, the first and primary step is to restore full normal thyroid function. Consider that in general the body's wisdom directs it to conserve energy when possible, from nonessential areas, shunting repair and regeneration power to those functions considered more essential. Another mechanism is that when thyroid function is low, intestinal absorption and utilization of vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional cofactors is compromised also. Not only are there not enough of the raw materials available, but the enzymes and sometimes temperature required for optimal chemical reactions is lessened.

As to restoring full function, don't be misled into utilizing the TSH test alone as a terrific barometer of full restored function. This one laboratory determination is in no way up to that important task, regardless of what you may have been told by your doctor or HMO. A great many thyroid sufferers need more thyroid hormone replacement than most current endocrinologists are comfortable with giving.

We have seen people whose hair loss is only finally reversed, after years of unsuccessful treatments, with a fairly high dose of thyroid medicine, resulting in a very low TSH. Sometimes it is a mixture of thyroid pills (T3, T4, and/or natural all combined) that eventually does the trick.

First step!
1.Get an Evaluation. First, to deal with hair loss, before assuming it's your thyroid, always have any hair loss evaluated by a dermatologist or hair loss expert to rule out any other causes -- such as infection. For a hair loss specialist, visit the American Hair Loss Council to find a doctor who focuses on hair loss.
2. Be Patient
If you're experiencing hair loss and are just starting treatment for a hyperthyroid or hypothyroid condition, it's likely that for most of you, the loss will slow down, and eventually stop, once hormone levels are stabilized and in the normal range. This may take a few months, however. But rest assured, I've had many thousands of emails from people, and have yet to hear from anyone who lost all his or her hair, or became bald, due to thyroid disease. But people -- including myself -- have experienced significant loss of hair volume. In my case, I'd guess at one point, I lost almost half my hair. I had long, thick hair, and it got much thinner at various times.

Do you take medication for this? Did your hair recover? My over all hair texure has changed since I was 20 and I've probably lost over 1/4 of my hair. Added to this, a lot of hairs have come out root, bulb, and all. I just assumed it was the onset of mpb since both my bro and dad have thinning hair. However, I spoke with them and their hair never became dry and brittle like mine, even when they were experiencing mpb. It would probably be worth consulting a derm. just to know, huh?

Drew, how are you?! It is good to hear from you. Since I have been promoted I do not get a chance to speak with my patients on a regular basis.

Thanks for the post....yes,I believe forhair is taking medication for his thyroid. This has just been recent though, so there has been no change yet. Sometimes it takes the doctor 6 months to a year in order to 'get the dosage' correct.

I believe it couldn't hurt to consult with a dermatologist. They can tell by a simple blood test if your thyroid is not right. Worth a try!!

I've been on Levothroid for 5 years for hypo. Funny thing is my TSH never stabilizes. I'm on 100mcg and have tested from 1.9 to 5.9 in the last year alone at different times I've had my TSH tested. I mentioned T3 supplementation to my primary care doc, but he just looked at me funny.
How does one get T3 prescribed? It could be the missing ingredient in stabilizing my TSH, and my hairloss. Thanks for any input

Maybe find another doctoer who will listen to you?

That was my question. Most western Docs prescribe T4 only for hypo, and won't prescribe T3 if blood tests don't indicate a need. My HMO takes this approach. Is this something you have experience with, Forhair, or have you been taking T4 only. What was your TSH before being treated?

I took the T4 for 6 months and i stopped after doing a blood test that showed that my levels are ok. the ignorant doctor tolled me to stop if the blood test will be good and then after 3 months do another B.T to see if the thyriod is bad again...
during the time that i took the T4 i lost weight, i had a lot of energy, my hair looked better, and overall i felt fantastic...
I'm back now to T4.

What was your TSH before being treated?

I think it was 8.000

I JUST FOUND THIS SITE...IT'S VERY INTERESTING. I HAD GRAVE'S DISEASE DIAGNOSED 7 YRS.AGO...VERY VERY SICK. I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO ALL THE DETAILS BUT I HAD EVERY SYMPTOM. I HAD RADIOACTIVE IODINE TO MY THYROID & NOW 7 YRS. LATER...I SWITCHED BACK TO SYNTHROID IN FEBRUARY & EVERY BLOOD TEST HAS SHOWN HYPERTHYROIDISM & MY DOSE HAS BEEN DECREASED EVERY 2 MOS. I FEEL TERRIBLE. I HAD THICK SHINY HAIR & IT CONTINUES TO FALL OUT FROM THE ROOT. I HAVE LOST ABOUT 75%. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? I JUST CAME FROM THE LAB...CALLED MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST TODAY & TOLD HIM HOW TERRIBLE I FEEL. HE SENT ME FOR ANOTHER TSH, T3 & T4 ALONG WITH A CBC & IRON BLOOD TEST. I AM VERY CONVERNED ABOUT THE HAIR, AS WELL. [/i]

there are many different causes of hair loss. one is medication. another is disease. the most common is male pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia.

a low thyroid and a high thyroid can cause diffuse hair loss. the first thing for you to do is to get the thyroid under control. this should resolve the problem. of course you should check other things that can cause hair loss such as increase male hormones in your system. the culprit in women is usually Dyhydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. you can have this checked. anemia and low iron counts can also cause hair loss. it is a good idea to make sure these are no the cause.

in your case, the Thyroid seems to be the problem since your thyroid levels are high at this time.

Hey,

Do you have any thyroid problems info? Any generic details on thyroid problems..

Pick, what do you mean thyroid problems? you mean like the signs or side effects that comes with thyroid disease?
If yes, then here is the list:

1. Fatigue:
Feeling exhausted when you wake up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night is insufficient or being unable to function all day without a nap can all be signs of thyroid problems.
2. Weight Changes:
You may be on a low-fat, low-calorie diet with a rigorous exercise program, but are failing to lose or gain any weight. Or you may have joined a diet program or support group, such as Weight Watchers, and you are the only one who isn't losing any weight. Difficulty losing weight can be a sign of hypothyroidism. You may be losing weight while eating the same amount of food as usual ' or even losing while eating more than normal. Unexplained weight changes and issues can be signs of both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. (For More Information)
3. Depression and Anxiety:
Depression or anxiety ' including sudden onset of panic disorder ' can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not respond to antidepressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. (For More Information)
4. Cholesterol Issues
High cholesterol, especially when it is not responsive to diet, exercise or cholesterol-lowering medication, can be a sign of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Unusually low cholesterol levels may be a sign of hyperthyroidism
5. Family History:
If you have a family history of thyroid problems, you are at a higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself. You may not always be aware of thyroid problems in your family, though, because among older people, it is often referred to as "gland trouble" or "goiter." So pay attention to any discussions of glandular conditions or goiter or weight gain due to "a glandular problem," as these may be indirect ways of referring to thyroid conditions.
6. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems:
Heavier, more frequent and more painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism, and shorter, lighter or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions. (For More Information)
7. Bowel Problems:
Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with hyperthyroidism
8. Hair/Skin Changes:
Hair and skin are particularly vulnerable to thyroid conditions, and in particular, hair loss is frequently associated with thyroid problems. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes brittle, coarse and dry, while breaking off and falling out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry,and scaly. In hypothyroidism, there is often an unusual loss of hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow. With hyperthyroidism, severe hair loss can also occur, and skin can become fragile and thin.
9. Neck Discomfort/Enlargement:
A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties, a hoarse voice or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be symptoms of thyroid disease.
To help find out if your thyroid may be enlarged, try a simple "Thyroid Neck Check" test at home.
10. Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel/Tendonitis Problems:
Aches and pains in your muscles and joints, weakness in the arms and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands and tarsal tunnel in the legs, can all be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid problems. (For more.

drcole wrote:there are many different causes of hair loss. one is medication. another is disease. the most common is male pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia.

a low thyroid and a high thyroid can cause diffuse hair loss. the first thing for you to do is to get the thyroid under control. this should resolve the problem. of course you should check other things that can cause hair loss such as increase male hormones in your system. the culprit in women is usually Dyhydroepiandrosterone or DHEA. you can have this checked. anemia and low iron counts can also cause hair loss. it is a good idea to make sure these are no the cause.

in your case, the Thyroid seems to be the problem since your thyroid levels are high at this time.

Yes there are many different reasons for hair loss. Medical Scientists believe that MPHL (Male Pattern Hair Loss) is due to two reasons. First is inherited from the either sides of the family. Second is due to biological chemical called a dihydrotestosterone, commonly referred as DHT. DHT is a biological material in the body, which shrinks the hair follicle.

Male pattern hair loss is a widespread situation, where men encounter disappearing of hair on the scalp. This also results in receding hairline or balding on the scalp area of the head. There are number of medicines and the creams available for hair loss treatment.

I am treating my hair loss woth propecia Fin 1mg. The treatment of Propecia Generic Finasteride stabilizes the overall DHT level and help stop follicles. Generic Propecia contains the active ingredient Finasteride, a type II 5-alpha reductase drug that restricts the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

I'm 40 and have a hair loss problem since last 5 yrs. I tried many drugs, shampoos, gels and creams and finally I settled for Propecia Finasteride. As per my experience, Propecia is the best medicine for hair loss. It certainly has some side effects and these side effects disappear as our body gets used to the medication. I'm using Propecia for year and half. I too had some side effects like decreasing sexual desire in the beginning and as my body got used to it slowly, most of the side effects disappeared. As per my experience Propecia is long term medication and it should be continued at least for six months.

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One of the many causes of hair thinning or baldness is thyroid malfunctioning. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause severe baldness. Hypothyroidism is a condition when there is a deficiency of thyroid hormones in the body. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is characterized by excessive amounts of thyroid hormone in the body. In both cases, the hormonal level in the body gets disturbed or altered.

To stop hair loss caused by Thyroid disorder, it is important to seek proper medical help from professionals who can give you proper advice and medication. One also needs to take vitamins to effectively restore hair caused by thyroid disorder. Many patients have found vitamins to be an effective way of restoring hair after thyroid-induced baldness. Vitamins B, C, and E all nourish the hair, skin and fingernails. You can take them in supplement form, and can also massage the scalp with oils containing these vitamins.

Advisable hair loss treatment to stop hair loss:
Leimo bio cleansing shampoo
Leimo hair thickening conditioner
Leimo scalp scrub
Leimo scalp therapy
Leimo scalp serum

There are no shampoos that are FDA approved to reverse hair loss. There are no shampoos that reverse hair loss or stop hair loss.