Hypothyroid - Hair falling

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Hypothyroid - Hair falling
5
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 4:10pm


I'm hypothyroid with the antibodies present. I've been on medication for one year and I'm at a TSH level between 1 - 2, however, I'm still sleepy all the time and my hair is falling out. Why is my hair falling out if I'm on the right amount of replacement hormone?
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 8:09pm
Hi and welcome - Perhaps you need the addition of T3. Most people don't but some people just don't feel normal until they start taking it. It is something that is metabolized very quickly by our bodies so you have to take it a few times during the day. Most doctors don't prescribe it but Synthroid only contains T4 and out bodies' naturally make both T4 and T3. Cytomel is a brand name of synthetic T3. Perhaps you can talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask if this might be a good idea for you! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 8:30pm


Hi Cathy,

I've asked two doctor's about T3. One responed that T3 is just a myth and studies have been done in which there was know difference in the people that took T3 as compared to the people that took T4. The other doctor would not let me try T3 because he thinks I'm too sensitive to the T4 (when I started a higher dose, my heart was racing for the first month). So, how do you tell these doctor's to at least try the T3 in combination with the T4?

Danielle

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 11:19pm
Hi Danielle - Well, you can tell the one who read that study that the people in the study weren't taking the right dose of T3 for it to make a difference. I have some stuff to do tomorrow but in the late afternoon, I'll try to find the article for you that talks all about it. You may be able to persuade your doctor to look at it. The one who thinks it's a myth is not too smart!! LOL! So I don't think there's anything you can do there. Your other option is to try to find a doctor in your area that uses T3 and is familiar with it. But I'll get you that article tomorrow. Cathy :)

Here is is: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/t3controversy/a/jamaresearch_2.htm

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 9:30am
I agree with Cathy! I've only been on Cytomel a week. I take it once or twice a day (depending on how I feel) and OH BOY, has it made a difference! It is too early for me to say how it is affecting my hair loss (ya know, that takes awhile) but I am no longer sleepy. Myth? Please! I was told I'd notice the change immediately but I thought nooo... however the Endo was right! It's a short-life thyroid horomone and yup it kicks in quickly! In six weeks my dosage will be evaluated. She said she does things in baby steps... I almost always take two a day.

Sherry

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 4:03pm
Sherry - that's great to hear that you're feeling better. And it's always good to get some info from someone who is actually living with the medication than from someone who is just reading about it!! Cathy :)