Hairloss

[kryptychyck]

Hello,

I am currently experiencing thinning of my hair. You would not know it from my picture, but I have been noticing more scalp and less hair.

Has anyone here also experienced this? You can PM me if you do not feel comfortable posting here.

I have just started treatment for an enlarged thyroid. I have only been on the Levoxyl for 1 month. I have to get another blood work up done in about 3 weeks and I go back to the endocrinologist at the end of March.

If anyone here has experience with this - is there anything I can do to help this situation? Will this medicine help stop it? Will my hair start to grow back?

Is it possible I have PCOS?

 

[janie1234]

Yeah, . . but I don't know what PCOS is. For a long time I thought I had lupus, . . .I sorta still think I do. I've had blood work done and they all came back normal. Does your mother by any chance have thinning hair? I think it is genetic on the maternal side. My mom has thinning hair. This could be why I do. I seem to be showing more scalp on the front.Right now I use this shampoo I got from Whole Foods some organic thing for thinning hair and I also take a hair, skin, and nail supplement. I also don't use a hair drier or curling iron all the time although I don't know if all that stuff affects your hair, . . . oh and I'm also a hair dye virgin. I never color my hair. Glad to hear that your seeing a Dr. though. I hope all turns out okay.

 

[Kimenem]

I've gone through 2 periods of shedding and it's NOT fun. My hair hasn't fully recovered from the 2nd shed over a year ago and though I see new hairs coming in, I don't think it will all come back. I use Nioxin products and they come highly recommended. They also have a vitamin that I used for awhile. I also read the Evening primrose oil is good for people with thyroid issues. If you go to about.com and check out thyroid, you should be able to find it. The main woman there said at one point, her pony tail was as thin as a pencil. After a year using the oil, she had a very nice full head of hair. I would bet it's the thyroid.

 

[complik8td]

Hair

I've been using Nioxin for a couple of months now. It does come with a lot of high recommendations from hairdressers, but I'm honestly not that wild about it. It will NOT give you thicker hair.... the statement on the product is something like "perceived change." I probably won't buy it again when I run out. It's time consuming to put all that stuff on the hair. What I like least @ the product is that when my head sweats from exercise, the wet spots in my hair will dry to a hardened state. I can't even try running my fingers thru it! I'm guessing the stuff just builds up on the hair.... I dunno. I wish there was a cure for thinning hair, but I don't think there is any.... yet.

 

[Kimenem]

Hmmmmm....I like Nioxin. I use the #4 system because I'm so paranoid. I use the cleanser, scalp therapy, follicle booster and scalp treatment. I haven't noticed it getting hard if I sweat. But, I guess it may depend on which system you use. I've noticed a difference since I started using the scalp treatment and follicle booster. Of course, my hair may just be growing back on it's own too.

 

[RapidBreath]

you could have PCOS

its easy to find out, get your FSH levels and your testosterone levels checked as well as your fasting glucose. What you are looking for is low FSH and high testosertone and or high insulin. If you are insulin resistant you can have the androgenization (hair in places it shouldn't be and hair loss on the top of the head) without the cysts or even a waaay low FSH level. I have that.

I use horsetail for the hair on the top of my head and I use saw palmetto to help with the hair on my belly/chin/throat area. It does make me softer/more feminized so that means its a little harder to lose fat and gain muscle, but I was looking like a hairy fat dude anyway. Ickles. The other side effect of saw palmetto is that it does slow down the bowels (sorry to be gross ) Both of these are over the counter herbs you can buy at your health food store or drug store or even online. With your thyroid issue I would be hesitant to have you try something before you get your hormone tests. Sometimes fixing one gland can fix the other issues as well. Another yucky symptom of PCO is fat deposits like a dude with a beer belly and depression. Laser hair removal only works on dark hair over light skin and even then its expensive and you have to get it done more than once- mine was not permanent. They may want to put you on birth control pills which can even out your cycle but do induce insulin resistance.

Food: Hydrogenated oils induce insulin resistance. High Fructose corn syrup is especially potent in me, it blocks the hormone that tells my brain-stop eating stupid I'm full! I even have to watch it with fruits. And aspartame gives me major headaches. You may want to avoid soy and estrogen sources like yams if you are estrogen dominant because in women excess estrogen is converted to testosterone. That means no soy protein. And most whey proteins have soy in them.

PCO is a cluster of symptoms that are a result of bad insulin receptors. The best way to bring down some of the symptoms is to lower your carbohydrate intake. I aim for 60 grams a day but often see 100 grams. When I have too much sweets I take gymnema sylvestre, which is known as 'the destroyer of sugar' it is a potent herb and not to be taken lightly. Some people respond well others can go hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). Never take that without food.

I have insulin resistance, the thinning hair on my head, the sensitivity to sugars, I'm prone to hypoglycemia, I tend to have too low blood pressure, and I was obese. I found that cardio exercise was key. Turns out that the one thing which immediately improves insulin resistance is cardiovascular exercise. I was told this by Kaiser at my pre-diabetes class. This is why I'm a little over zealous with the cardio. I do six days a week. I don't freak out if I miss one but I do try to get it because it seems to make a major difference in how I feel.

Sorry for the way long post.

Alisha

 

[complik8td]

Hmmmmm....I like Nioxin. I use the #4 system because I'm so paranoid. I use the cleanser, scalp therapy, follicle booster and scalp treatment. I haven't noticed it getting hard if I sweat. But, I guess it may depend on which system you use. I've noticed a difference since I started using the scalp treatment and follicle booster. Of course, my hair may just be growing back on it's own too.

I'm using the same system as you. I neglected to clarify though, that it's likely the Nioxin styling products that are making my hair feel hardened in spots after sweating and not the shampoo, scalp therapy, etc. The styling products also make blow drying my hair very difficult. My arms get a good workout from that! haha. JMPO, I feel that using this system is just too much of an ordeal... I don't want to spend all that time!!

Sorry for the way long post.

Alisha

Wow Alisha!! You are dealing with a lot! Good for you that you found what works best with your condition.

 

[Redeye07]

I have just started treatment for an enlarged thyroid. I have only been on the Levoxyl for 1 month.

Hair loss/thinning is a symptom of thyroid disease and also a side effect of thyroid medication.

After I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and started taking levothyroxine, my hair fell out in handfulls for about 6 months. I was horrified. The hair loss bothered me more than the thyroid disease itself.

After 6 months, I noticed less hair loss, and now, 3 years later, I'm still losing more hair than normal. Some of my hair has grown back, but not all. Thank God I had really thick hair to begin with.

 

[twinkletoes129]

Isn't that funny, before I read your next paragraphs I was wondering if you might have a thyroid problem. And then you said you have an enlarged thyroid and are on Levoxyl. (I haven't read all the other posts so if I repeat something somebody else said forgive me). I agree with Redeye07, the hair loss can be a symptom of your thyroid disease or a side effect of the medication. Do you remember when the hair loss started? Did it start before taking Levoxyl or after? That might help you suss out what's the culprit. If you think it may be the Levoxyl let your doctor know, maybe they can try a different brand of synthetic T4 that might not have this effect. I hope everything works out.

 

[LauraMax]

There are some vitamin supplements you can take as well. Biotin is great for hair growth, also Omega 3s. I've heard glucosamine as well, but I'm not taking that (yet, I'm thinking about starting it as a preventive measure for joint pain). Ookisa is supposed to be an excellent system for thinning hair--I've heard some great reviews. Also Phytologie makes some great hair supplements, the vitamins are called phytophanere. But the latter two are pretty pricey. The biotin, omegas & glucosamine you can get at your local drugstore pretty cheap.

My mother is almost bald--you could see her scalp by the time she was my age, so I'm pretty paranoid about this & started the biotin & other supplements about 7 years ago. So far, so good.

P.S. I've been on thyroid meds for 20 years, & from what I can tell they haven't caused hair loss. But my doc has told me that hair loss is a symptom of thyroid condition. So maybe the meds will help rather than hurt.

 

[kryptychyck]

Isn't that funny, before I read your next paragraphs I was wondering if you might have a thyroid problem. And then you said you have an enlarged thyroid and are on Levoxyl. (I haven't read all the other posts so if I repeat something somebody else said forgive me). I agree with Redeye07, the hair loss can be a symptom of your thyroid disease or a side effect of the medication. Do you remember when the hair loss started? Did it start before taking Levoxyl or after? That might help you suss out what's the culprit. If you think it may be the Levoxyl let your doctor know, maybe they can try a different brand of synthetic T4 that might not have this effect. I hope everything works out.

Hi,

I noticed the hairloss started a few years ago. At first, I didn't want to believe it, but it really accelerated the past 18 months. I was not on any medication until last month. I will definitely bring that up with the doctor to see if the medicine is accelerating it even more. Thank you for making that point!

Perhaps it is just the condition?

 

[kryptychyck]

I've gone through 2 periods of shedding and it's NOT fun. My hair hasn't fully recovered from the 2nd shed over a year ago and though I see new hairs coming in, I don't think it will all come back. I use Nioxin products and they come highly recommended. They also have a vitamin that I used for awhile. I also read the Evening primrose oil is good for people with thyroid issues. If you go to about.com and check out thyroid, you should be able to find it. The main woman there said at one point, her pony tail was as thin as a pencil. After a year using the oil, she had a very nice full head of hair. I would bet it's the thyroid.

I am definitely goiong to look into this - thanks for the suggestion. OMG thin as a pencil!!! I feel for her truly!

 

[NY25]

I don't have thyroid issues, but this has happened to me, as well. I started taking a Bioton supplement (2500mg daily). I also started using Aveda Scalp Benefits shampoo and conditioner, which I like. I have also read that taking many sleep medications (Ambien, etc.) can lead to hair loss, although the manufacturers don't disclose this detail. I noticed my thinning started shortly after I started taking that, so I'm trying to limit my use as much as possible. Some of it can just be age, as well - peri-menopause.

 

[kryptychyck]

Thank you

its easy to find out, get your FSH levels and your testosterone levels checked as well as your fasting glucose. What you are looking for is low FSH and high testosertone and or high insulin. If you are insulin resistant you can have the androgenization (hair in places it shouldn't be and hair loss on the top of the head) without the cysts or even a waaay low FSH level. I have that.

I use horsetail for the hair on the top of my head and I use saw palmetto to help with the hair on my belly/chin/throat area. It does make me softer/more feminized so that means its a little harder to lose fat and gain muscle, but I was looking like a hairy fat dude anyway. Ickles. The other side effect of saw palmetto is that it does slow down the bowels (sorry to be gross ) Both of these are over the counter herbs you can buy at your health food store or drug store or even online. With your thyroid issue I would be hesitant to have you try something before you get your hormone tests. Sometimes fixing one gland can fix the other issues as well. Another yucky symptom of PCO is fat deposits like a dude with a beer belly and depression. Laser hair removal only works on dark hair over light skin and even then its expensive and you have to get it done more than once- mine was not permanent. They may want to put you on birth control pills which can even out your cycle but do induce insulin resistance.

Food: Hydrogenated oils induce insulin resistance. High Fructose corn syrup is especially potent in me, it blocks the hormone that tells my brain-stop eating stupid I'm full! I even have to watch it with fruits. And aspartame gives me major headaches. You may want to avoid soy and estrogen sources like yams if you are estrogen dominant because in women excess estrogen is converted to testosterone. That means no soy protein. And most whey proteins have soy in them.

PCO is a cluster of symptoms that are a result of bad insulin receptors. The best way to bring down some of the symptoms is to lower your carbohydrate intake. I aim for 60 grams a day but often see 100 grams. When I have too much sweets I take gymnema sylvestre, which is known as 'the destroyer of sugar' it is a potent herb and not to be taken lightly. Some people respond well others can go hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). Never take that without food.

I have insulin resistance, the thinning hair on my head, the sensitivity to sugars, I'm prone to hypoglycemia, I tend to have too low blood pressure, and I was obese. I found that cardio exercise was key. Turns out that the one thing which immediately improves insulin resistance is cardiovascular exercise. I was told this by Kaiser at my pre-diabetes class. This is why I'm a little over zealous with the cardio. I do six days a week. I don't freak out if I miss one but I do try to get it because it seems to make a major difference in how I feel.

Sorry for the way long post.

Alisha

Thank you for sharing this with me/us, Alisha. Wow - you are so knowledgeable on this subject and I am grateful for this post. I am going to look into all of your remedies too. Yes, I will definitely check with the doctor before I ingest anything.

I definitely avoid HFCS and hydrogenized food altogether anyway. I typipcally do not eat sweets or other foods like that and my carbs generally come from whole grains or fruit and vegetables. I also stopped taking soy protein and drinking soy milk about a year ago. I read about those phytoestrogens and I decided that I should switch to whey. Unfortunately, I just read the ingredients on my shampoo and conditioner bottles and there is some soy in there! I am not sure if that matters, but I know the skin absorbs things. I am going to look into that Nioxin that some of the other posters discussed.

My testosterone levels were high for a female. I do have a thicker mustache for a female - I take care of that with waxing and creme remover. I have difficulty with weightloss and my moods were a bit all of the place. The Levoxyl has settled my moods, which is nice - I feel normal! I think am gradually losing weight, but I have also started back to exercising regularly and my diet is back on track the past 2 weeks. My TSH levels were on the low side, but in the normal range and the other hormones related were also in the normal range. The only thing that signaled the doctor to a thyroid issue was a slightly abnormal ultrasound of my thyroid. He decided to prescribe medicine because I have a significant family history of thyroid disease.

I will discuss the possibility of PCOS and insulin resistance with the doctor when I go back to see him. Thanks for sharing all of this - I was unaware of all these factors.

Good luck to you!

 

[kryptychyck]

I don't have thyroid issues, but this has happened to me, as well. I started taking a Bioton supplement (2500mg daily). I also started using Aveda Scalp Benefits shampoo and conditioner, which I like. I have also read that taking many sleep medications (Ambien, etc.) can lead to hair loss, although the manufacturers don't disclose this detail. I noticed my thinning started shortly after I started taking that, so I'm trying to limit my use as much as possible. Some of it can just be age, as well - peri-menopause.

I don't take any sleep aids - I will look into the Aveda and Bioton too. Thanks!

 

[kryptychyck]

There are some vitamin supplements you can take as well. Biotin is great for hair growth, also Omega 3s. I've heard glucosamine as well, but I'm not taking that (yet, I'm thinking about starting it as a preventive measure for joint pain). Ookisa is supposed to be an excellent system for thinning hair--I've heard some great reviews. Also Phytologie makes some great hair supplements, the vitamins are called phytophanere. But the latter two are pretty pricey. The biotin, omegas & glucosamine you can get at your local drugstore pretty cheap.

My mother is almost bald--you could see her scalp by the time she was my age, so I'm pretty paranoid about this & started the biotin & other supplements about 7 years ago. So far, so good.

P.S. I've been on thyroid meds for 20 years, & from what I can tell they haven't caused hair loss. But my doc has told me that hair loss is a symptom of thyroid condition. So maybe the meds will help rather than hurt.

Thanks Laura -I am going to look into your suggestions as well. It is scary!!! There are no magic pills or easy solutions for this issue. I read that Rogaine is only helpful to about 25% of women. There are some prescriptions out there - can't remember the names - that could help as well. They are anti-androgen meds. They are used for diabetes and what not.

I hoping that time will solve this - enough time for the medication to get in there and do its thing. But I will definitely be bringing up al lof these points to the doctor. I am goiing to see about those vitamins you suggested. Thanks!

 

[Kimenem]

When I was freaking about my hair, I took Laura's suggestion and bought the Ookisa. They have a trial period where all you pay is the shipping. However, if you keep the products or at least don't return the unused portion, you will be charged $99 and again every 60 days. I ordered and received it after a few weeks but just couldn't stand that price so I sent it back without even trying it.

I also take Biotin, the primrose oil, and a HSN supplement called Natrol Biosil. I read about it in a fitness magaznie and it's supposed to be good. I think I got it a the vitamin shoppe online.

 

[Snitker]

hair loss

My hair will start to fall out if I don't eat enough or get to thin. (That hasn't been a problem in a very long time!) The thyroid meds should help. In addition to a multivitamin try the hair, skin, & nail vitamin, MSM, and Biotin. They can all be found over the counter at Wal-Mart or wherever you like to shop. Perhaps you could talk to your pharmacist about shampoo recommendations. The Nioxin is alway highly recommended by hair dressers, but they sell a knock off version at Sally's Beauty supply for a lot cheaper. HTH!

 

[hottiescientist]

Yeah, so though my mom and my sister have PCOS, tests don't indicate that I have it even though I have frontal baldness and before months of electrolysis excessive hair on my face, mostly my chin. Every dermatologist or gyn who looks at me is convinced I have it. If you're worried you should go to your doctor and check your levels. If you want to do things on your own, diet is first and decreasing stress (I've had no luck on the second). Everyone already mentioned in -- biotin, iron, omega 3s. Massage your scalp to get blood flow and try to avoid sulfates in shampoos and parabens and SLS stuff. There's a theory floated that these small molecules get inside and stunt growth -- don't know if I believe it but I've been switching to more organic stuff anyway.

 

[lisab99]

My mom had this issue - hair started coming out rapidly - and went to a naturopath who suggested iodine. Now - before everyone jumps all over me. . . .yes, the medical association is very strict saying that we should not supplement iodine. I supplemented it during my chemotherapy and had no problems. And my mom supplemented for her hair loss and had no problems. It wasn't a lot of iodine. . . .

However - it worked. Her hair loss stopped. I am wondering, since the thyroid and iodine are connected if I'm not mistaken, that this is some of the issue. Perhaps see a naturopathic doctor who can tell you how much to take. I try to take the "natural" stuff first before the presciption stuff. But that's just me - after poisoning my body with chemo and radiation, I'm pretty cautious about putting any kind of man-made chemical. I love my naturopath - really helped me survive the cancer treatment - so it's really something to look into.