General Question

[hotroks]

I am 23 and as of late I have noticed that my hair to starting to look thin and very dry, and my scalp seems to be very itchy all the time. After I showed with a dandruff shampoo it seems to go away but always comes back later, and I have been using for a good month. I am also feeling tired all of the time. I tend to eat well and stay in good shape with exercise but i still feel sluggish and my hair is starting to be a problem. My hair was very full and healthy a year ago and now it looks drastically different. I did some research and thought that maybe it could be a thyroid problem. I have not gotten any tests as of yet. I would like advice on what it possibly good be? Any ideas?

[gimel]

The first thing I think you should do is to use this link and identify all the symptoms you have.  Then I would take the checklist to the doctor and discuss it.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hypochecklist.htm

The nest step would be to request testing for free T3 and free T4 (not the same as total T3 and total T4), along with TSH.  If the doctor resists FT3 and FT4 tests, then you should insist and not take no for an answer.  Keep in mind that you are the customer.  If the doctor is still cooperative by this time, I would also ask to be tested for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab to determine the possibility of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.  Hypo patients frequently have low Vitamin D, B12, iron/ferritin, so tests for those would also be a good idea.

Keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor is willing to treat you clinically, by testing and adjusting free T3 and free T4 levels as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not blood test results.  If your doctor has a problem with treating you clinically in this manner then you are going to have to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.

[free3667]

Your symptoms sound like an under active thyroid called hypothyroidism. This would need to be confirmed with a physician who will run some labs to see how your thyroid is functioning. Those of us such as myself suffer from the exact symptoms and I have hypothyroidism. Its considered an autoimmune problem and given your age this is a good time for autoimmune disorders to rear there ugly head. Schedule an appointment with your physician. You may also have a vitamin deficiency, but only a physician can determine that. Best of luck