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Hypothyroidism and Hair Loss

Good day doctor, I was reading a short article about hypothyroidism, and I was left with a few lingering thoughts. Perhaps you might be able to answer my questions:

a) Would you say that hair loss due to hypothyroidism is a common or a rare incidence among those who suffer from hair loss?
b) Or, among the various symptoms of hypothyroidism, is hair loss a common or rare occurrence?

I understand that there may not be good statistics to answer these questions, but perhaps you might be able to shed some light, based on your experience.

Hair loss is one of many symptoms of hypothyroidism, but the frequency of it is not reported. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism usually have other symptoms along with hair loss, including weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, weakness, constipation, and depression. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made through blood testing for the level of T4 (the main thyroid hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

Most of the patients in our practice suffer from male pattern baldness (MPB). Patients concerned about hair loss should have a miniaturization study to determine if the pattern is consistent with MPB or if there is an underlying medical condition causing the hair loss.


2008-02-12 14:16:27Hypothyroidism and Hair Loss

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Will a Hair Transplant Increase Propecia Efficacy?

Dear Dr Rassman,
You’ve said before that Propecia and Rogaine work best where there is still some hair left, not in completely bald areas of the scalp. If that’s the case, can having a hair transplant to a previously bald area actually increase the efficiency of the medicines in that area too ?

Norwood 7I think you’re confused. It is true that Propecia and Rogaine do not work in completely bald areas, but drug impact and surgical results are independent of each other. In a person with a slick bald area, the difference will come from the hair transplant and not the medication. If the hair grafts were transplanted successfully and from the donor area, those grafts will not require medication to grow. Remember, the donor area is the back horseshoe-shaped area as seen in the diagram at right. This area is permanent in most men (unless disease is present) and that is why it is used in transplantation.

Propecia and/or Rogaine can compliment the transplant for those that still have thinning areas. Sometimes, the goal of Propecia or Rogaine is to slow down further balding in the areas that you still have some hair. So to answer your question — no.

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I Am A Female Taking Finasteride (Propecia) And I Have Anxiety and Panic Attacks.

Hi,
I am curious. I have been taking Finasteride (1mg) for about six months now. I am a female of 46 years old.
I see that most of the comments are from men and that is why I am wondering if women can experience similar symptoms. I have already suffered from anxiety and panic attacks in the distant past but since six months they have come back and are much worse than ever before. I feel anxious all the time, I am not sleeping and I have panic attacks daily. I am wondering if it is the meds doing that? Could another woman tell me if this could be a possible reason for my extreme symptoms please. It is the only thing I can think of at this time. I am very upset and feel just awful every day. Those attacks are limiting my life and making feel so depressed. I had them under control before but cannot control them today! I am almost hoping it could be the Finasteride I am taking because I have read all the comments on this forum and many people have experienced the same as me. I appreciate any guidance. Thank you.
Marianne

stop

First and foremost you need to go back to your doctor and discuss these issues.

Finasteride is NOT to be taken by women.

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Will finasteride drop my high sex drive?

I have sex multiple times a day, 2-3 days a week, and masturbate quite regularly. How would this impact me while on fin?

The frequency of masturbating or sex, should have no impact of your hair loss. Some men have an increased sex drive when taking finasteride while more report going the other way.


2020-12-07 12:16:40Will finasteride drop my high sex drive?

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I am in a panic as maybe I have DUPA?

I’m 18 and I’ve had diffuse thinning for the past 3 years. Yes it sucks but it’s slow and still have decent amount of hair. I’ve noticed for the past 3 years that when ever I get a hair cut, my hair is easy to pull out. Same with sides and my back. Is this DUPA? I’m really worried because I hope it isn’t. I took pictures with the flash and it’s still thick. Also when my sides grow out, I try pulling on it and it doesn’t come our. WTF.

I am the doctor who defined DUPA and it is rare. You need to have a microscopic examination of your donor area if you want DUPA eliminated as a diagnostic possibility. Most hair transplanted doctors offer this.


2019-03-27 09:43:09I am in a panic as maybe I have DUPA?

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Will Mild Gynoecomastia Resolve if I Come Off Finasteride?

I’ve been taking fin for 16 days and developed some gyno in my left nipple (small lump, swelling), unlucky me I guess. If I come off the drug will the swelling go away?
Yes it usually will, if it was caused by the finasteride.


2019-07-03 08:32:51Will Mild Gynoecomastia Resolve if I Come Off Finasteride?

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I can’t decide if I am a good candidate?

I’m 35yrs old living in South East England. Started receding about 10yrs ago and never done anything to prevent it. Only recently started considering a transplant as I’m now starting to be able to afford it.

Your worst-case balding pattern is a Norwood Class 5A pattern. These patterns are suitable for a surgeon to work with because they usually don’t progress to a Class 6 or 7 pattern (no guarantee of course). The key is to get a good assessment of your donor supply (donor density and hair thickness), and then., if you use a good, honest, artistic surgeon, you can get a good estimate for the work. There are many good UK Surgeons who can do this with creative and artistic skills.

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Will Propecia Protect My Hair from Loss Following Underbite Correction Surgery?

Dr. Rassmann,

I am 21 year old male and I recently had surgery to correct an underbite. I started propecia shortly after my surgery. Will the propecia protect against possible shock loss after the surgery? I’m concerned because I saw in earlier posts that in balding men with shock hair loss, the hair does not usually return.

Propecia is taken for treating androgenic alopecia, not for shock loss following underbite correction surgery. Hair loss after general anesthesia or medical issues is not related to androgenic alopecia.

If you were prescribed Propecia to treat your genetic hair loss, it might protect you… but I wouldn’t recommend the medication solely for protecting from a temporary shock loss.