How much Hair Loss is normal ???

[scrummy]

Hi All,

I am feeling a little insecure at the moment as I seem to be losing alot more hair than usual.

Everytime I brush my hair I lose a fair amount and then as the day goes on I lose the same amount again several times.

No bald patches (thank goodness), but it is definately thinner (I have always had very thick hair so I am noticing it).

This is the worse side effect of being hypo for me as on an emotional level I always felt I can cover up the weight gain with careful dressing and bad skin with clever makeup but the hair loss is very upsetting as I suppose its been my saving grace.

I had a chest infection about 6/8 weeks ago and have read that hair loss can follow an illness.

Generally, health wise I am coping fine, I follow an gluten free diet, take Armour. I probably do too much but with the business and kids its hard not too!

My husband recently commented that I should be four sizes smaller based on what I eat, but I guess all us Hypo's know what that feels like. Right?

I used to be a really lovely slim girl and now feel like an old flabby hag with crao thinning hair! (I hate this thyroid business)

Any words of encouragements would be gratefully appreciated....

What supplements should help, should I go to the GP about it,.....or even better, How much hair do you lose????? (Please tell me your exp.)

Merry Christmas

Scrummy xx

[Nancy LC]

Are you taking thyroid meds? If you're low on thyroid, that's the best way to deal with all these problems.

I think you have a 30% shot at improving your thyroid with the right diet, but I truly haven't heard anyone say they've made their thyroid work better with any supplements.

[Gostrydr]

Scrummy,
I have seen through blood work peoples thyroid numbers improving with Guggul.

But if is is severe you will need some meds.

Also try this. Go to Walgreens or some drug store and get this shampoo Nizoral or the Private label ketocanazonol. It used to be by prescription only ,but it now is available OTC. Also buy yourself some selenium based shampoo, Walgreens has that in a private label as well.

Use the Nizoral every day as instructed. On the 3rd day use the selenium based shampoo only.

I have seen some research that this comblo can help halt hair loss. they are not sure the mechanism on how this works,but it has some promising results.

But get your thyroid up to par
Good luck

[ysabella]

Have you had your thyroid checked? Are you on meds? You're leaving us hanging, here!

It's hard to say how much hair loss is 'normal.' It definitely sounds like it's bothering you, though. I hope it stops soon. I had some after giving birth to my son this year, and now he pulls on my hair so often...nobody told me that's the other reason women lose hair after having a kid! :p

Meanwhile, there are some good hair styling products that help give a thicker texture, so maybe playing around with those will help in the meantime?

[scrummy]

Sorry, I thought that I had put I take Armour for my thyroid. My current dose is 120mg.

When I went on a gluten free diet (a while ago) I reduced my dose and felt fine but all the achy joints came back so I went back on the same dosage now as before.

My hair is very long so I wondered whether it looks loss than it really is, if you see what I mean. Although its my hair line that I notice the most.

I do get tired when I do too much but generally I can cope with my lifestyle since the meds and diet are fairly much sorted.

I am not losing any weight and still have hair loss, the dark circles are still ever present under my eyes too.

However, the hair loss is what really gets me down. I don't know if I should get my hair chopped a little shorter...

[DrH]

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing hair loss. Based on the hair loss, coupled with the fact that you said that you should be four dress sizes smaller based on what you eat, my first thought was you need to increase your medications. I lost hair in clumps prior to starting Synthroid and Cytomel. However, I have not lost any since.... Maybe you should go see an endocronologist? Best of luck to you! Jill



Hi All,

I am feeling a little insecure at the moment as I seem to be losing alot more hair than usual.

Everytime I brush my hair I lose a fair amount and then as the day goes on I lose the same amount again several times.

No bald patches (thank goodness), but it is definately thinner (I have always had very thick hair so I am noticing it).

This is the worse side effect of being hypo for me as on an emotional level I always felt I can cover up the weight gain with careful dressing and bad skin with clever makeup but the hair loss is very upsetting as I suppose its been my saving grace.

I had a chest infection about 6/8 weeks ago and have read that hair loss can follow an illness.

Generally, health wise I am coping fine, I follow an gluten free diet, take Armour. I probably do too much but with the business and kids its hard not too!

My husband recently commented that I should be four sizes smaller based on what I eat, but I guess all us Hypo's know what that feels like. Right?

I used to be a really lovely slim girl and now feel like an old flabby hag with crao thinning hair! (I hate this thyroid business)

Any words of encouragements would be gratefully appreciated....

What supplements should help, should I go to the GP about it,.....or even better, How much hair do you lose????? (Please tell me your exp.)

Merry Christmas

Scrummy xx

[Nancy LC]

Are you still Gluten free? I think it takes 6 months or more to help out the thyroid so don't reduce the meds until you feel like you need to.

[scrummy]

Are you still Gluten free? I think it takes 6 months or more to help out the thyroid so don't reduce the meds until you feel like you need to.

I think thats where I went wrong.

[nawchem]

When when my hair was falling out my dr told me to style it as little as possible and to use rogain. I have long hair too, when my thyroid isn't right if I lightly pull on the ends hair will just keep coming out. I'll also see it on the carpet, my carseat and even on my chair at work.

Maybe get a thryoid test and see where you're at and don't decrease your meds until you have empirical evidence that the gluten diet has affected your thyroid levels. Or you'll end up kind of bald like me.

I've read that our natural thyroid output is decreased in the winter so you could need a tiny bit more medication around this time of year.

[scrummy]

I've read that our natural thyroid output is decreased in the winter so you could need a tiny bit more medication around this time of year.

That is very useful info - Thanks. :)

The hair loss is mainly around the hairline at the front and it is definately alot lighter generally. Everytime I brush I lose a little.
I have noticed the softer and finer hair around the hair line which can be wispy has gone completely which makes my hair line look quite harsh. On very close inspection I can see new hair growth. (or maybe I am imagining it!!!)

I am going to stick to the meds regardless of gluten free diet as I have found that I can control energy levels via diet but not the achy joints at the moment, but I suppose its early days.

I will wait the suggested six months being gluten free before I consider reducing medication. I will, however, support this with a blood test too.
Although blood tests do not ever seem to work for me anyway as the ranges the lab uses are totally out of date.

[Nancy LC]

I will wait the suggested six months being gluten free before I consider reducing medication. I will, however, support this with a blood test too.
Good idea. :)

[scrummy]

Good idea. :)

Thanks for all your help Nancy xx

[ditzy]

I had the same issues, major hair loss, especially at the hairline. Babyfine hair coming back in.... When my meds got stable and my TSH levels were about 1, the hair stopped falling out. I did also take evening primrose oil. Whether it helped or not, I'm not sure.

(((Hugs)))

[scrummy]

I had the same issues, major hair loss, especially at the hairline. Babyfine hair coming back in.... When my meds got stable and my TSH levels were about 1, the hair stopped falling out. I did also take evening primrose oil. Whether it helped or not, I'm not sure.

(((Hugs)))

Thanks xx

I'll take some Evening Primrose Oil too! Anything that may help has got to be worth a go!

[Nae]

I had the same problem, they started me out on synthroid and i had heavy hair loss!, i freaked out to put it lightly :help: hit the internet quick and found out about armour and emeditaly got switched to it, the hair loss slowed but it was notible still even after they raised my levels, so once more i looked up on the internet and found some intresting things i started to take and i am having hair come back! I take evening primsrose 3 times a day green algae once a day , omega 3 fish oil and a product called nu hair most recently and i might add to my suprise the evening primrose got rid of a bad case of dandruff almost emediatly. and i started hair growth excelerated by the nu hair product i got at the local cvs pharmacy i have hair now that is one inch long within 3 weeks all along the crown where it was falling out

[scrummy]

can you supply a link to the nu hair product...

[missaec]

I have heavy hair loss as well. It comes and goes, really. Especially after a few months on low-carb or when I'm off the wagon for a couple of months. In addition to any thyroid medication I recommend taking Biotin. It's always helped to curb my hair loss.

[Nae]

yeah, i can give you the link to it, i stumbled on it when i found a coupon for 5 bucks off the product in my local paper for cvs our local drug store, i was desperate at the time and willing to try anything.. Hair loss for a girl as you know is the most horrible part of thyroid and i am definatly willing to try anything that will help if anyone has any other suggestions

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=119822&previousURI=/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/search?ActiveCat=499^Query=nu+hair

Im new to the whole carb thing as well, im willing to listen and learn what everyone else has done for thyroid and weight loss i joined cause i cant do it on my own anymore. hopefully i dont get in trouble for posting links, not to sure on the rules yet >.<

[Nae]

to be completely honest, i was finding alot of hair on my brush daily handful! after about a week of this regimine of evening primrose,omega 3 fish oil,green algae and nu hair, less and less hair was in my brush, I dont know wich product is helping the most, but thats what i do to keep track of my hair loss. everyday clean your brush and look at the amount you find, after i started taking what i take, less and less showed up til to my shock and happiness i found only 6 hairs one day. about two weeks later i noticed the small hairs coming up. i got really excited! i can say the green algae helps with the constant tiredness i feel as well. ive only had my blood work done twice so far as i was just recently diagnosed a few months back. its a battle always, and im still learning