Help , my hair is thinning

mumps

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I'm currently awaiting the result of a blood test. It seemed like an obvious start point and I have what, apparently, is THE "red flag" sign of the outer third of my eyebrows have gone missing on me.

I've also got some books through that I'm currently reading re iodine deficiency (as apparently that can create hypothyroid type symptoms). "The Iodine Crisis" by Lynne Farrow is a book I'm currently reading and its making a lot of sense to me.

I gather a noticeable number of people with thyroid problems get an (apparently) clear test result back anyway.

As I said I got my result in 24 hrs, it made such a change to get the med, I felt so much better, had so much energy and the improvement to my hair, skin and nails was definitely a bonus.

I was advised not to take any iodine, I think it can cause problems depending on the cause of the hypothyroidism but it was ten years ago and I can't remember now but just remember the doctor saying it wasn't a good idea for me.

One thing is that they start you on a low dose of levothyroxine and gradually work up to the dose you need so it can take a while to feel the benefit, in my case I did feel better almost instantly but obviously that continued to improve as the dose increased.

Do you know how long you are going to have to wait for the result?

LittleOne

I know you say you don't wish to take tablets, but I would reccomend Holland and Barretts 'Vitamins for the Hair'


I lose a lot of hair during stressful times. I've had blood tests and seen a skin specialist and all tests came back ok. Since I've been taking them my hair has definitely thickened up again and feels healthy. I bought them after reading such great reviews online and haven't been disappointed.

Katalina22

You'd better try hair thickening shampoo, the last I bought was efficient and with the serum, you will have speed result.

no1catman

Androgentic alopecia covers both male & female pattern baldness - there is a difference between the two.


There is a charity for sufferers which people may find of interest - they also have local support groups for different areas of the country.


www.alopecia.org.uk


It's a huge challenge, to find something to 'work'. Has anyone tried the fibres? That is - kera fibre and/or toppick (?) ?

Februarycat

My hair is very fine and recently looks thin at the front and sides and breakage. I have been using Herbal Essences Uplifting Volume shampoo in Orange scent this last few weeks and have noticed it makes a difference and my hair looks more thicker at the front, but I do wash my hair every day which probably does not help with the breakage. I think I maybe need to get a blood test done to check for thyroid problems

moneyistooshorttomention

mumps wrote: »

As I said I got my result in 24 hrs, it made such a change to get the med, I felt so much better, had so much energy and the improvement to my hair, skin and nails was definitely a bonus.

I was advised not to take any iodine, I think it can cause problems depending on the cause of the hypothyroidism but it was ten years ago and I can't remember now but just remember the doctor saying it wasn't a good idea for me.

One thing is that they start you on a low dose of levothyroxine and gradually work up to the dose you need so it can take a while to feel the benefit, in my case I did feel better almost instantly but obviously that continued to improve as the dose increased.

Do you know how long you are going to have to wait for the result?

I think they said the result would be back Friday? I'm basically thinking that, if I havent heard by Monday, I'll give them a ring as to when its convenient to come in and pick up the printout of my results.

I've found some of "the" recommended type of iodine today and bought it - so would be interested if you recall the reason you were told not to take any. The book I quoted is an American book - but I'm imagining conventional British medical thinking is much the same and I gather the conventional medics. don't like the idea of iodine and it used to be commonplace for many years and then pretty much vanished after one faulty study (think it was somewhere around World War 2 time???). Am still reading that book at the moment. So - before taking any action (apart from the fact I've started taking an iron supplement) then I shall finish that book and the others I have and see what the printout of the test result says and then it should be clearer how to proceed.

The book talks about seeing a doctor who specialises in this sort of thing (ie using iodine) and somehow I can't see me being able to find one like that even in a bigger place in Britain - never mind way over in West Wales. So I'm probably not going to have a lot of option but to work things out for myself...

The one thing I'm telling myself clearly is that I've noticed some other women with this hair loss problem and none of the ones I've ever seen with it look healthy generally - and that is inclining me to think that it must be a health problem (rather than "one of those things"). So - it's down to identifying what that underlying health problem is. Of course if anyone has this problem and skin is glowing with health/they are slim/feel absolutely fine generally - then do let me know it's possible to be healthy and yet have this...

mumps

Well I was like the living dead in the months before I got diagnosed. My skin was very dry, my hair was thin and dry, my nails were breaking and I was putting on weight but not eating more than normal. The worst thing was the tiredness. I was walking up the hill where I live today coming back from the library with a bag of books and thought, "Ten years ago I would have been exhausted and now I am just marching up the hill with no problems." The difference is levothyroxine.

I can't remember the reason for not taking iodine except that I seem to remember him saying there were various reasons for hypothyroidism and for mine it wasn't a good idea. He said it because I do like some foods that are high in iodine and mentioned this and he said to be careful.

On googling it I can see articles saying if hypothyroidism is caused by an auto immune condition then idione can make it worse. I'm not sure if that is the case, I am always wary about believing everything I read on the internet, I was so rundown and exhausted when I got the diagnosis I don't think I was taking everything in. I haven't really worried about it since as I feel so well on my levothyroxine I just don't question it.

moneyistooshorttomention

I wouldnt go as far as describing myself as "like the living dead". I do notice hair problems, puffy face, the odd bit of "brain fog" (whereas I'm used to being pleased at my mind being quite speedy etc). A bit of weight gain (bigger than I should be - but most people dont even notice). Energy could do with being a good deal better and I'm not happy at the high proportion of distinctly early nights I feel the need for - though its difficult to tell on that in some ways (ie because I'm used to deciding what I will do and then using my willpower to force myself to do a lot of it regardless of how I feel iyswim).

I don't give myself much leeway on letting myself off the hook on anything....LOL.

Baby_Angel

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Androgenic alopaecia is also know as "male pattern baldness"(although it can present more generally in women) and is both hormonal and genetic. Did the situation improve when you had the coil taken out?

It is only after removing it I noticed the heavy hair loss by then it was too late.

Poppie68

My daughter has hypothyroidism hers has been difficult to control over the years and her hair suffered because of it...It was thin and constantly greasy, after I bit of research I got her some Tgel shampoo which has had a massive impact, a noticeable thickening after a few weeks and no more grease...6 months later her hair is beautiful...A little pricey at around £7 from Boots but Amazon and eBay have been great to pick up the odd cheaper bottle... Maybe worth a try?