Thyroid - Scared & Balding with no answers!!

by Michele
(Florida)

Hypothyroidism hair loss

I feel frustrated and alone. It all started about 10 months ago when I noticed large clumps of hair coming out in the shower. My hair was past my buttocks and quite thick and what I assumed was healthy. I wound up very sick and in the hospital in October and was diagnosed with HYPOTHYROIDISM. The doctors told me that is the number one cause of hair loss in otherwise healthy patients with normal hair.

So it is now February of 2010, and I have had 4 haircuts all together. My hair is shoulder length and there is no volume left to it at all. It is all slowly falling out. I can say with certainty half of the hair on my head fell out.

I have been to the dermatologist twice and my doctor several times as well, and no one can help me or give me any suggestions medically. My levels have evened out and came back normal so it is now regulating. I have to wait several months for my hair to stop falling out from what I've been reading and from what both doctors told me.

But that's just it! That is the confusing part....What can I do in the meantime before I wind up completely bald....My hair is falling out so much that I don't know how long I'll have before it's all gone.

This whole experience is scary and embarrassing...
Any suggestions or help...anything I would greatly appreciate it.

Editor’s Comments,

Hi there, sorry to hear about your condition but actually hypothyroidism is very common among women and yes the number one most noticeable issue with the condition is often hair loss.
When it comes to hypothyroidism, your number 1 priority is to stabilize your thyroids and get your system back in shape. From there, you should start to notice a gradual decrease in hair loss. It’s important to make sure that the cause of the hair loss is not aggravated by the certain thyroid drugs that you are taking. Most people do not know this, sometimes the hair loss is caused by thyroid drugs like Synthroid. If you are using this form of drugs and think that it’s causing the hair loss, you might want to discuss with your doctor for a possible alternative.

When your thyroid levels return to normal, you can start asking your doctor about taking hair supplements like vitamin b complex or hair follicle stimulators like Minoxidil 2% which can help improve hair growth rate. Evening primrose oil are also said to be effective with hair growth and help counter the effects of hypothyroidism so you might want to give it a try.

Of course, in order for any of the supplements or treatments to work, you will need to make sure you have good control of your thyroid condition. Hypothyroidism and hair loss require both your patience and persistence if you want to overcome it. So, hold on and your hair condition will surely improve over time.