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 Thyroid & Hair loss
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JaniceS Member  Posts: 46 |
posted 11-25-2002 12:04 PM
  
My main symptom is my hair falling out. My Free T3 is borderline hypo (2.25, down from 3.13 last year). My dr. prescribed Armour starting out at 30 mg/day. I've been taking it for 2 weeks now, so it's probably too early, but does anyone know how long it will take before I could reasonably expect to see a change in the rate of my hair loss (if in fact it will affect it)? My dr. wants to up my dosage to 60mg/day, but I'm scared of going into a hyperthyroid situation which would make my hair loss worse than it already is. I haven't had any blood tests taken since starting on Armour. IP: Logged |
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Meep Senior Veteran  Posts: 1064 |
posted 11-25-2002 03:10 PM
30mg is a small dose of Armour, and it is very likely that you need more than that, especally in light of your low Free T3. (If you can include the lab range along with the result, it makes it easier to interpret. The lab range varies from lab to lab and 2.25 at one lab could be fine while 2.25 at another lab is very low.) It is not unusual to see people on 120, 150 or even 180mg or more of Armour, so bear with your doctor on this. Once your thyroid levels stabilize the hair loss should slow and stop, if it is thyroid related. there are other causes for hair loss that need to be considered, too that might not resolve by fixing you thyroid levels alone, such as anemia, and low dietary protein. Most likely, though, getting your thyroid leves up--especially the T3, will help. Hair loss with hyper is more likely to occur at very hi levels of thyroid hormones, but you will have other symptoms long before you start losing hair from being hyper, most likely. Relax, be patient, and work with your doctor on this. If you want to have your blood tested more often, discuss the fear with your doctor. T3 levels stabilize as soon as two weeks after a dose change, and testing often to make sure you don't go over at first will surely set your mind at ease. IP: Logged |
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JaniceS Member Posts: 46 |
posted 11-26-2002 10:38 AM
Thanks for the reply. I think it's a little confusing how the lab reported the ranges, but this is how it is written: Free T3 2.25 pg/ml 1.4 - 4.4 To me, it looks like I'm borderline since I'm in the overlapping area between hypo and normal. Any opinions? I had my iron levels tested. The iron levels were good, but the iron stores (ferritin) was low (21) where the range is 15 - 215. I've heard that low thyroid and low ferritin can sometimes accompany each other and I've read that ferritin should be at 70 for normal hair growth. I talked to the dr. last night. She was fine with testing me on the 30 mg before upping the dosage. I just hope I don't lose the majority of my hair before the thyroid med kicks in. Once the thyroid meds kick in, will what has been lost, regrow or will my hair alway be thin from now on? I'm getting worried. IP: Logged |
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Tree Frog Senior Veteran Posts: 2574 |
posted 11-28-2002 01:47 PM
Hi JaniceS, If you lost hair due to being hypo, the hair will grow back, but hair regrowth is slow so don't get discouraged. I lost half my hair and it is back. So called borderline hypothyroidism should be treated. IP: Logged |
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