Unexpected Hair Loss

[Julian]

I'd suggest taking another look at the thyroid problems, as it is genetic. (Although seems to be a lot more common in women, still something to consider. Especially if you're also experiencing other symptoms, besides just the hair loss.)

The blood test that you took, was it a full panel (tsh, ft3, and ft4, at the very least?) or just a tsh test? If they only tested your tsh, then your doctor is clueless and knows nothing about thyroid disorders. Also, while the lab reports might say that 0.4-4.5 or something is a normal range for tsh, it's more accepted by people who know what the fuck they're talking about that 0.3-3.0 is a better range, and that anything over 2.0 can be suspect. The reason they don't change it is because it would make like 30-40% of the US hypothyroid or something, which just shows how useless a tsh test by itself is.

The actual tests that should indicate whether you actually have any kind of thyroid problem are the Free T3 and Free T4's. So unless they also tested your FT3 and FT4 levels, I wouldn't cross thyroid problems off your list. And if you do get those tested and it's the problem, I'd suggest looking for a competent endocrinologist.

Here's a good resource: http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[Rhinox]

You wearing a hat or anything? I've heard rumors that that can have an effect on hairloss (seems true in my brother's case).

If not, start wearing one to hide your shame.

fiction

[Pilfer]

Similar situation happened to my brother recently random bald spots starting out size of a dime and continued to grow till it was really noticeable. Went to the doctor for thyroid tests etc. and nothing came back with any results. They told him it was alopetia. They gave him cortisone shots in the spots and a month or two later his hair grew back.

[Airenn]

You might have iron deficiency.

As a tagalong to this -- This. It's probably not related to the hair loss, but the freezing hands/feet thing as well as the plumbing issue can be related to iron deficiency. Taking a small dose a day won't hurt you, but I would try it to see if it clears up these issues. It if helps with the hair, then there you go, but don't get your hopes up for everything to be solved by one little thing.

[Julian]

I did not see the part about cold hands/feet. That's definitely a possible symptom of hypothyroidism. See previous post.

[Tyr]

I'd suggest taking another look at the thyroid problems, as it is genetic. (Although seems to be a lot more common in women, still something to consider. Especially if you're also experiencing other symptoms, besides just the hair loss.)

The blood test that you took, was it a full panel (tsh, ft3, and ft4, at the very least?) or just a tsh test? If they only tested your tsh, then your doctor is clueless and knows nothing about thyroid disorders. Also, while the lab reports might say that 0.4-4.5 or something is a normal range for tsh, it's more accepted by people who know what the fuck they're talking about that 0.3-3.0 is a better range, and that anything over 2.0 can be suspect. The reason they don't change it is because it would make like 30-40% of the US hypothyroid or something, which just shows how useless a tsh test by itself is.

The actual tests that should indicate whether you actually have any kind of thyroid problem are the Free T3 and Free T4's. So unless they also tested your FT3 and FT4 levels, I wouldn't cross thyroid problems off your list. And if you do get those tested and it's the problem, I'd suggest looking for a competent endocrinologist.

Here's a good resource: http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

As a tagalong to this -- This. It's probably not related to the hair loss, but the freezing hands/feet thing as well as the plumbing issue can be related to iron deficiency. Taking a small dose a day won't hurt you, but I would try it to see if it clears up these issues. It if helps with the hair, then there you go, but don't get your hopes up for everything to be solved by one little thing.

Thanks very much for both posts. I left my blood test at home or I'd check now.


EDIT: Nice, i actually have the envelope with me. I don't know my way around this stuff so I'll just post the information I see. The test did T4, T3, and TSH, and they're listed as follows:

T4 (CL) -- 8.5 (micg/dL) -- Reference Range = Adult: 4.0-12 (other references listed, but I'm guessing this is the only one relevant)

T3 (CL) -- 1.0 (ng/mL) -- Reference Range: 0.5-2.1

T.S.H. (CL) -- 1.1 (micIU/mL) -- Reference Range: 0.3-6.2

Those numbers look normal, no? I'm looking up the FT3/FT4 stuff in the link now.

[Tyr]

Here's a good resource: http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

Hypothyroidism can produce a large variety of symptoms including low body temperature, cold extremities, weight gain, fatigue, need for excessive sleep, muscle aches and stiffness, reduced cardiac function and edema, dry skin, constipation, scalp and eyebrow hair loss, high blood pressure, depression, and mental slowness. In some persons, the body reacts to thyroid insufficiency by producing excessive adrenaline, causing a different clinical picture with anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and hyperactivity.

Well, fuck. If "reduced cardiac function" means bad circulation, then bold that too...

But this is my worry -- I suspected a thyroid problem, or "something" being wrong, and my blood test shows nothing being wrong (or so it seems -- disregarding your mention of FT4/3). So where that leaves me is thinking what the fuck, how do I match so many of the symptoms, have a reasonable assumption of a thyroid problem given my mother dealing with hypothyroidism, and still drawing blanks? In the end it has me sort-of hoping for this to be an issue, in some twisted way, so that at least I can work towards dealing with it with the proper medication and whatnot.

[Arcana]

It's lupus.

[Outlaw]

I would like to suggest a couple of things though they may or may not help.

Definitely take a multivitamin. Even if you have a good diet (which it sounds like you do) you can still miss out on key nutrients sometimes. I take several different supplements everyday and my hair and nails grow really fast. You also mite want to try a "probiotic" supplement. It contains the same natural flora (bacteria) that is in your gut and you need them to help you break down food. They can be kinda pricey though. You can also just eat yogurt cause it has most of the same good bacteria.

Do you have hard water? Hard water can be tough on the hair. You can get a filtered shower head. I heard about them a long time ago and decided to try one cause I have very hard water where I live. I'm not even joking when I say.. I don't know how I ever lived without it. The condition of my hair and skin has improved so much it's crazy.

[Julian]

Oh, they also did T3 and T4. Hm. Well, I was going to post my understanding of it, but I'll just quote wikipedia instead.

Most of the thyroid hormone circulating in the blood is bound to transport proteins. Only a very small fraction of the circulating hormone is free (unbound) and biologically active, hence measuring concentrations of free thyroid hormones is of great diagnostic value.

When thyroid hormone is bound, it is not active, so the amount of free T3/T4 is what is important. For this reason, measuring total thyroxine in the blood can be misleading.

So pretty much, T3/T4 is the total T3/T4 in your blood, both unbound(free, active and working) and bound(not free, inactive, still on the protein) FT3/FT4 is the best indicator because it just counts the active and working ones.

[Nephlite]

Similar situation happened to a guy a work couple months ago. Found out it was some type of bacteria infection that his father had and his grandfather had about the same age range. Wasn't harmful (except the hair loss) in his facial hair and head hair. Nothing noticeable from the exterior such as skin blemishes or anything like that. Think he did get some cortisone shots to counter-act the infection and he had to take some antibiotics. See a dermatologist yet? Might be that.