About 3 years ago (current age 39, female), I began having menstrual irregularities (excessive bleeding). Tests didn’t show any distinct hormonal/structural reasons, but I was under extreme stress. One doctor suggested I try Synthroid to decrease my TSH (it was normal – 3.6 – but I didn’t know better). Within 2 months of being on 50mcg of Synthroid, I began losing MASSIVE amounts of hair on my head (and most of my body). I’d never had hair loss before – in fact, I had a LOT of hair.
I immediately informed my doctor of this but she said my body would adjust. After 6 months of continued hair loss (and no improvement with my health otherwise), I stopped taking Synthroid. That was in October 2010. But my hair loss has NEVER stopped since and when I once had so much hair, I now have very thin, brittle hair that falls out by the handful daily. The loss looks diffuse, but the most visible parts are my sides and the nape of my neck. I have been to numerous endocrinologist/dermatologists/hair specialists and no one knows why this is continuing. I am not on any medications, and all my hormones look fine. My menstruation has also gone back to normal – so I don’t understand? I’d appreciate any input!
My hair is less than 50% of its original thickness and the scalp can easily be seen through the front and sides of my hair under regular light. I cannot go out without using Toppik, but it can easily be seen as there is very little hair to hide the fact that I’m wearing a cover-up. My hair texture has also changed DRASTICALLY to dry, brittle, and cobweb thin in areas.
Click the photos to enlarge:
It is not unusual that when a thyroid condition is fixed and properly regulated, that the hair does not return to it per-disease state. I wish I had good news to tell you, but honestly, only time will tell if your hair will regrow. As to your continued loss, I don’t have a clue. With female hair loss, there are so many possible causes, that suggesting what it could be via the web with no examination would be a complete guessing game.
I realize you’ve been to numerous doctors, but I’m not sure what help I could offer at this point. There is a list of common blood tests here that could possibly lead to a reason for your loss. But TAKE CAUTION: these tests may point to a possible source but may NOT provide a treatment or a cure. You need to speak to a doctor and come up with a Master Plan to treat the hair loss. Lab tests do not mean anything if you cannot do anything about the results.
