1. Community
  2. Diabetes and hormone problems
  3. Hypothyroidism

Hair loss

Posted , 5 users are following.

Tutu123
Tutu123

Hi, I have been taking Levo for 8 years and noticed my hair was starting to thin. A couple of weeks ago I started making the transition to liothyronine and levothyroxine combined to see if this helped. Unfortuantley, my doctor didn't realise I still had a load of Levo in my system so I have been over replaced for a while and just trying to calm the dose down now. I am finding that I am still losing a lot of hair, if not more than before. Did anyone find their hair loss got worse before it got better when switching to T3? Does hair loss generally get better with T3 alone and cutting out Levo altogether? Any advice would be helpful as I am very much in the dark sad

2 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 Tutu123

    Posted

    Hi caz, I can't answer your question directly, but did you know anaemia can cause hair loss? There are several types of anaemia caused by a deficiency in any of the following: iron, B12, or folate. All of which cause hair loss. The double whammy is: if your thyroid levels are low you won't process the available iron properly, and if your iron levels are low you won't process thyroid medications properly. There are a lot of vitamins and minerals that thyroid patients are often low in, namely iron, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, potassium, magnessium, selenium, zinc, calcium (hopefully Shelley will let us know if I've missed any). So do get tested for these. Remember to ask your GP for a printout of the results. If you post them here (with the range that's next to each test) we can help you interpret them. In the meantime, avoid strong shampoos - baby shampoo is good. All the best.
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      thanks for your message-  I've looked into the above recently and I'm waiting on blood tests for all of this so hopefully will know more on Wednesday. I also have no idea whether I'm on the right dose yet. Feeling so tired but my hands feel on fire so I don't know what's going on my body is telling me something isn't right :-/

    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara I've just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid started and joined this site yesterday which is really useful. I noticed you mentioned lack of vitamins. I currently take vitamin c and vitamin b complex. Should I be taking more of a multi vitamin to include the onesyou mentioned like iron? Thanks 
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 isabel36588

      Posted

      Hi isabel and welcome, I take a multivitamin and have done for many years and seem to have managed to avoid being low in most of them, ferritin being the exception. Low ferritin (below 90) means thyroid meds aren't processed properly and vice versa. I would recommend you look at a good thyroid website. I'll PM you the ones i like. Start with the first one on the list as it's particularly easy to read. All the best.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara thanks yes that would be helpful if you post me the ones you like I did think of going to see a herbalist as well. I have been on the thyroid UK site will have another look.  Thanks 
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 isabel36588

      Posted

      Hi Isabel- always best to get the nutritional stuff tested first before taking supplements. With regards to iron, don't take this at the same time as your thyroid tablets, or it will prevent them from working! I usually take thyroid tablets in the morning and supplements in the evening (leave at least a four hour gap if you are taking supplements).
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi caz

      yes I take the lexothyroxin first thing and currently take my vitamins in evening the only ones I currently take which I have been on for a while are the b complex and vitamin c. Assume ok to carry on with these? Will Dr test for vitamin levels or would I have to go elsewhere? Went on thyroid UK and mentions a book the thyroid solution who suggests levels of vitamins. Thanks Isabel 

    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 isabel36588

      Posted

      Hi Isabel, I was told my GP practice could test for most of the items Barbara listed with the exception of vitamin d and selenium. I was initially refused all if them, but then saw a different doctor who agreed to do it. Take some info with you from thyroid uk website as back up- makes it harder for them to say no! If not thyroid uk has a list of places you can get the tests done privately but can be pricey x
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi caz 

      thanks for that my Dr seems to be good so far due to see her as having results of some other blood tests taken as not sure why after taking Levo for a week having faster pulse particularly in the morning before I take medication and faster after as she said such a low dose shouldn't affect me. I've read if hypo pulse rate is lower and I'm not so tired now all very confusing! Yes I'll take some information with me on next visit from thyroid UK thanks 

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 isabel36588

      Posted

      Isabel, are you aware iron shouldnt be taken within 2 hours of calcium? Some say 4 hours. Suggestion: take thyroid meds in morning, an hour befire food (food impairs the absorption of thyroxine), if taking iron, take it with food at lunch (food helps body tolerate iron, vitamin c helps body process iron - so you could take your vitanin c and b complex at lunch too). Note: until your thyroid levels have built up (6-12 weeks) you can't really judge thyroid levels by basal pulse rate.
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940

      Posted

      Food also impairs the absorption of thyroid meds, so take an hour before breakfast. My GP did all the vitamin and mineral tests, Iincluding vit D, on the NHS.
    • isabel36588
      isabel36588 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara no didn't realise that good to know yes I take vit  c and b complex later in the day with food either lunch time or tea time and yes I take Levo in the morning an hour or more before food  will ask gp about vit tests. Yes Dr and info says takes time to build up thyroid levels think I was being optimistic and  hoping to feel better sooner without feeling wired! 
  • gill43753
    gill43753 Tutu123

    Posted

    So sorry to hear that,as you sounded like you were doing well, when you replied to my query about combined T3 and T4. I'm still very much overheated,and taking reduced T4. My hair was really coming out when my T4 was too high earlier in the year, but once I got that down,my hair improved. Early days for me on the combined, I'm afraid. Hopefully it will all calm down for both of us soon. Chin up. Gill
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 gill43753

      Posted

      Hi Gill, yes about a week ago I was feeling such an improvement (I was told to take T3 on its own for about four days to let the rest of the Levo leave my system), but as I started to reintroduce the Levo, the palpitations started again, hands are on fire and I'm gradually feeling more tired again. I'm starting to wonder if I should take T3 on its own and whether it's the Levo that's actually causing me to feel rubbish. It's so hard to tell and takes ages to adjust so I keep having to wait a few weeks before making any changes to the dose- the joys of thyroid eh?! I found the heat side of things went down when I was just taking T3 on its own, so maybe the combo is too strong for some people? Hope you start feeling better soon x
    • gill43753
      gill43753 Tutu123

      Posted

      Oh how right you are. I was also wondering if it was possible to take just T3, as Levo seems to make so many people feel rubbish, and I certainly have been worse generally since starting it 4 years ago.
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 gill43753

      Posted

      I asked my doctor if this was possible and he said it was something we could try, but he wanted to ease me in with a combination of the two first. Since reintroducing he Levo, my mood has plummeted and I feel so low today and the fogginess and tiredness is creeping back in. It's so disheartening sometimes
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hang in there it does get better. I believe Shelley is on T3 only. No doubt she will reply when she gets chance. In the meantime, try doing some exercise you enjoy to get the natural endorphins flowing to improve your mood. Swimming is good, or dancing. Anything that gets you moving that you enjoy will help.
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940

      Posted

      Remember to keep a medication and symptom diary to show your doctor.
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 barbara98940

      Posted

      Thanks Barbara, I will show GP a symptom diary - that would help (especially with me being so forgetful!). With regards to exercise, I have suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome/ME for a number of years and have always struggled with this. I am now convinced these symptoms were brought on by thyroid issues, but am desperate to try some exercise as I used to be very fit and active. Might wait until the Christmas break and ease myself in gently smile
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi caz, sounds a good plan to give yourself the best chance of success. Remember to start with very little exercise and build it up slowly. A gentle short walk for starters?
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara, I'm quite new to the site and would really be interested in getting shelleys opinion of T3 only and I wondered if there is a way I could message her directly? Wasn't sure of her user name either. No worries if you don't know! Thanks caz
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi caz, to contact shelley, read some other posts and find on shelley has replied to. Next to her name will be an envelope, click on that to PM (private message) her. If that doesn't work and your are on a mobile phone try turning it landscape. If that doesn't work, have look at your forum settings and make sure you have PMs enabled. If you register to receive email notifications you will get an email saying 'shelley had commented..' when she does so. Alternativelyn hopefully Shelley will spot this discussion.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.