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Hair Loss - Is this Normal Side Effect of PTU?
I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid in February 2008 and started taking PTU in relatively small dosages 50 mg three times a day. I have had some adjustments made to my medication since I started becoming hypothyroid last month as a result of treatment. Right now my dr says my thyroid levels are normal. However, in the past several weeks I have noticed that I have a lot of hair shedding and it is freaking me out. I am 30 and have always had a lot of hair, but this rapid amount of hair loss is stressing me out. Has anyone experienced this? Does it go away? Is it the PTU or changes in the thyroid levels? I've heard that evening primrose oil is helpful in combating hair loss and ran out and bought some today. Please tell me if you've had a similar experience.
Just wondered if you know what your Free T4 and Free T3 and ferritin levels were when taking the PTU for an extended period. What was your daily PTU dosage?
I know this is an old post but I thought I'd put my two cents in. I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2008, took PTU and then it went in to remission in 2010. Came back in 2016 and started taking PTU again. After about 9 months my hair started falling out. Doctor thought it was probably the PTU and took me off it. After about 3 months of thinking I was going to go bald, the shedding stopped. Fast forward to January 2018. Started taking PTU again (obviously I forgot the hell I had been through with my hair?) and in April it started falling out again. Got off the PTU lickety split. Still losing hair but I'm hoping it will be the 3 months and then it will stop like before. Definitely not going back on PTU again. I found that CBD oil works wonders for hyperthyroid.
Then, for sure, that was a Total T3 test, not Free T3. Yes, low Free T3 is a cause of hair loss, so you really need to know Free T3 along with ferritin. So you should try to get both of those done.
The information you posted was Total T3, based on the range shown. Just to be sure, what were the measurement units shown for that test? Was it ng/dl or pg/ml?
The multi vitamins are good. Sorry, but I have no information about any benefit from the primrose capsules.
The picture will be much clearer when you have the Free T3 and ferritin results.
The picture will be much clearer when you have the Free T3 and ferritin results.
2 Comments
They said free t3 is the same information that was given to me.
And I have to wait to get my ferritin blood orders.
So do you think my free t3 affects my hair loss?
And I have to wait to get my ferritin blood orders.
So do you think my free t3 affects my hair loss?
They said free t3 is the same information that was given to me.
And I have to wait to get my ferritin blood orders.
So do you think my free t3 affects my hair loss?
And I have to wait to get my ferritin blood orders.
So do you think my free t3 affects my hair loss?
Your Free T4 is good. That appears to be a Total T3, not Free T3. The difference is that Total represents all T3, most of which is bound to protein and thus biologically inactive. Only the small portion that is not bound to protein, thus Free , is active. You should always make sure they are testing for Free T4 and Free T3. I even go as far as quizzing the lab attendant about what tests are going to be done. You would be surprised how often they operate on auto pilot and don't do the test you wanted. .
If your Free T3 is in the same part of its range as your Total T3, then it would be okay. But you really need to know. TSH causes no symptoms. It is just an indication of your thyroid hormone levels and is affected by so many variables that it is not even very good at that.
Also, since ferritin has such an effect on hair you need to find out about that and supplement as needed to optimize to about 70 min. Note the following info from another source.
"Research has shown that a large proportion of women reporting hair loss had low ferritin levels, compared with the levels generally found in women without hair loss, and interestingly in men. The main reason for this difference is due to the loss of blood during menstruation, which is just enough to cause a gradual depletion of iron stores, particularly in women who eat little or no red meat.
Low iron intake has been known for some time to be a potential problem for millions of women, but it is only now that it is recognised that this factor can contribute to increased hair shedding, and that this condition is really quite common.
In fact, in a recent survey of 500 women, it was found that a staggering 33% reported hair loss. This was observed as an increase in the amount of hair shed or a reduction in the length grown, both of which contribute to a reduction in hair volume if the problem persists for any length of time.
So if you believe your hair has less volume than it did a few years ago you can at least console yourself with the fact that 1 in 3 women also consider themselves to be in the same position. If your diet has little or no red meat and/or you suffer heavy menstrual bleeding then this increases the likelihood that a dietary imbalance is causing the problem.
Correcting the imbalance can increase the length of hair growth
Research has shown that if the iron deficiency is corrected and the serum ferritin level is raised to a certain 'trigger point' then hair growth will start. In fact, what actually happens is that the growing stage of the follicles is lengthened so there are, at any one time, more hairs in the growing stage.
This means that hair volume will start to increase and any excessive shedding will reduce. But this takes several months because ferritin levels can only be raised gradually and once the 'trigger point' is reached and hair growth starts, it takes 2-3 months for the shedding to reduce and another 3-6 months for the new hair to reach a length that contributes to hair volume."
If your Free T3 is in the same part of its range as your Total T3, then it would be okay. But you really need to know. TSH causes no symptoms. It is just an indication of your thyroid hormone levels and is affected by so many variables that it is not even very good at that.
Also, since ferritin has such an effect on hair you need to find out about that and supplement as needed to optimize to about 70 min. Note the following info from another source.
"Research has shown that a large proportion of women reporting hair loss had low ferritin levels, compared with the levels generally found in women without hair loss, and interestingly in men. The main reason for this difference is due to the loss of blood during menstruation, which is just enough to cause a gradual depletion of iron stores, particularly in women who eat little or no red meat.
Low iron intake has been known for some time to be a potential problem for millions of women, but it is only now that it is recognised that this factor can contribute to increased hair shedding, and that this condition is really quite common.
In fact, in a recent survey of 500 women, it was found that a staggering 33% reported hair loss. This was observed as an increase in the amount of hair shed or a reduction in the length grown, both of which contribute to a reduction in hair volume if the problem persists for any length of time.
So if you believe your hair has less volume than it did a few years ago you can at least console yourself with the fact that 1 in 3 women also consider themselves to be in the same position. If your diet has little or no red meat and/or you suffer heavy menstrual bleeding then this increases the likelihood that a dietary imbalance is causing the problem.
Correcting the imbalance can increase the length of hair growth
Research has shown that if the iron deficiency is corrected and the serum ferritin level is raised to a certain 'trigger point' then hair growth will start. In fact, what actually happens is that the growing stage of the follicles is lengthened so there are, at any one time, more hairs in the growing stage.
This means that hair volume will start to increase and any excessive shedding will reduce. But this takes several months because ferritin levels can only be raised gradually and once the 'trigger point' is reached and hair growth starts, it takes 2-3 months for the shedding to reduce and another 3-6 months for the new hair to reach a length that contributes to hair volume."
1 Comments
Thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to answer my questions. It means so much to me as my doctor always seem to be in a rush and never really explain these things to me.
I will tell them that I want to know what my Free T3 level is.
And I am still waiting for my primary doctor to order the ferritin and possibly other blood orders that can be affecting my hair loss that's not thyroid.
I don't lose a lot of blood during my monthly menstrual period. I am on birth control pills. So I don't bleed as much as I use to. It only lasts for 3 to 4 days. It use to last for 7 days and it was heavy before my birth control. But now it's not too heavy.
I am also taking multi vitamins with biotin 5,000mg 3x a day. I hope this works.
Would taking this multi vitamins along with primrose capsules be okay? Or is it too much all at once?
Thank you so much again for helping me. I appreciate it so much.
Have a wonderful day! :)
- Carolyn
I will tell them that I want to know what my Free T3 level is.
And I am still waiting for my primary doctor to order the ferritin and possibly other blood orders that can be affecting my hair loss that's not thyroid.
I don't lose a lot of blood during my monthly menstrual period. I am on birth control pills. So I don't bleed as much as I use to. It only lasts for 3 to 4 days. It use to last for 7 days and it was heavy before my birth control. But now it's not too heavy.
I am also taking multi vitamins with biotin 5,000mg 3x a day. I hope this works.
Would taking this multi vitamins along with primrose capsules be okay? Or is it too much all at once?
Thank you so much again for helping me. I appreciate it so much.
Have a wonderful day! :)
- Carolyn
The first thing I suggest you do is to get tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3). Those tests will provide an indication of your thyroid status at present. Hair loss can be from either hyper or hypothyroidism, so it is important to know those levels. Also, ferritin is very important for hair growth, so you should test for that as well.
3 Comments
Thank you so much! I will tell my endocrinologist Tmrw morning!
They said my thyroid level is a bit low. So they are pulling me back from 3 ptu 50mg to only 2 a day now.
I will ask them now on how I can get tested of ferritin!
I will ask them now on how I can get tested of ferritin!
So I got the test results.
Free t4 is 1.3 Ng/dL. Standard range is 0.8 to 1.5.
Free T3 is 123 . normal range is 58- 159.
It seems like I am in the middle of these.
My TSH is 0.01 mL. Standard is 0.35 - 4.00.
So this is low. Is that why my hair is falling out?
I also have low White Blood Count.
I just want this rapid hair loss to stop. Its really scaring me and affecting my every day life. I hope it stops and starts to grow asap.
Free t4 is 1.3 Ng/dL. Standard range is 0.8 to 1.5.
Free T3 is 123 . normal range is 58- 159.
It seems like I am in the middle of these.
My TSH is 0.01 mL. Standard is 0.35 - 4.00.
So this is low. Is that why my hair is falling out?
I also have low White Blood Count.
I just want this rapid hair loss to stop. Its really scaring me and affecting my every day life. I hope it stops and starts to grow asap.
Hi,
I was at one point hyperthyroid myself, but I was on Methamazole not PTU. My hair was falling out in clumps. Always have had long blonde hair. (thick) They told me it was a combination of being hyper thyroid+meds. So I started taking evening primrose oil capsules. I started taking one once a day for about 2 weeks, and then worked up to 3 a day. My hair came back and then come. i was sprouting alot of new hair. My hairdressor asked me about it. So in my experience it worked wonders. Hope that helps! :)
I was at one point hyperthyroid myself, but I was on Methamazole not PTU. My hair was falling out in clumps. Always have had long blonde hair. (thick) They told me it was a combination of being hyper thyroid+meds. So I started taking evening primrose oil capsules. I started taking one once a day for about 2 weeks, and then worked up to 3 a day. My hair came back and then come. i was sprouting alot of new hair. My hairdressor asked me about it. So in my experience it worked wonders. Hope that helps! :)
1 Comments
Hello!
How long did it take for you to get results when you took the primrose capsules for hair growth with your hyperthyroidism?
I am going through the same time and I am stressing out that my hair is falling out so much.
Thank you
How long did it take for you to get results when you took the primrose capsules for hair growth with your hyperthyroidism?
I am going through the same time and I am stressing out that my hair is falling out so much.
Thank you
Hi,
We were diagnosed with hyperthyroid close to the same time. I was diagnosed the end of January 2008 (this past January) and about the end of April my hair started falling out massively....I had long blond hair and it's very upsetting....I am a lot older than you but can understand that it's frustrating. I was busy with my daughter's wedding and did not have time to do research...now I will start. I am in the medical field and will look at some of the medical sites.
I know that hair loss is one of the side effects of PTU. What I am going to research is what the mechanism is that causes the hair loss. Then maybe I can figure out if a particular supplement or drug can prevent it. I can let you know what I find out.
You can talk to your Dr. about how long you need to stay on it and does he/she know of something to help stop the loss. From what I know, the hair growth should return when we go off of it.
Hannah In St. Louis
We were diagnosed with hyperthyroid close to the same time. I was diagnosed the end of January 2008 (this past January) and about the end of April my hair started falling out massively....I had long blond hair and it's very upsetting....I am a lot older than you but can understand that it's frustrating. I was busy with my daughter's wedding and did not have time to do research...now I will start. I am in the medical field and will look at some of the medical sites.
I know that hair loss is one of the side effects of PTU. What I am going to research is what the mechanism is that causes the hair loss. Then maybe I can figure out if a particular supplement or drug can prevent it. I can let you know what I find out.
You can talk to your Dr. about how long you need to stay on it and does he/she know of something to help stop the loss. From what I know, the hair growth should return when we go off of it.
Hannah In St. Louis
2 Comments
Hello!
I am 26. Got diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism 7 months ago. I took Methimazole and had good results. Then it gave me rashes all over my body and then I stopped taking it. It helped make my rashes go away. But then I started having really upsetting diarrhea. After stopping for 2 weeks my body rejected Methimazole and I had to rush to the bathroom every time I took.
I am now on PTU and every time I take it, I have the worst taste in my mouth. Eating before helps very little. Gum does the trick but I don't always have fun and seem to run out. I have to take ptu 3x a day.
I was wondering if you found out what supplements will help stop my hair from falling out. I also have graves disease and my hair was falling out regularly before I started treatment but this is just CRAZY!
IT'S CLUMPS OF HAIR FALLING OUT EVERYWHERE and I AM SERIOUSLY Freaking out and stressing out and crying. I'm terrified. I have never seen my hair become so thin! I have over 40 inches of long brown hair. Now its all gone.
They say it will grow back but I just need to know if I can stop this rapid hair loss. Please let me know if you found any supplements that can help!
I will buy primrose today.
Thank you for your help!
Please email me if possible.
I really appreciate any suggestions/help!
@***@****
Carolyn from southern California.
I am 26. Got diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism 7 months ago. I took Methimazole and had good results. Then it gave me rashes all over my body and then I stopped taking it. It helped make my rashes go away. But then I started having really upsetting diarrhea. After stopping for 2 weeks my body rejected Methimazole and I had to rush to the bathroom every time I took.
I am now on PTU and every time I take it, I have the worst taste in my mouth. Eating before helps very little. Gum does the trick but I don't always have fun and seem to run out. I have to take ptu 3x a day.
I was wondering if you found out what supplements will help stop my hair from falling out. I also have graves disease and my hair was falling out regularly before I started treatment but this is just CRAZY!
IT'S CLUMPS OF HAIR FALLING OUT EVERYWHERE and I AM SERIOUSLY Freaking out and stressing out and crying. I'm terrified. I have never seen my hair become so thin! I have over 40 inches of long brown hair. Now its all gone.
They say it will grow back but I just need to know if I can stop this rapid hair loss. Please let me know if you found any supplements that can help!
I will buy primrose today.
Thank you for your help!
Please email me if possible.
I really appreciate any suggestions/help!
@***@****
Carolyn from southern California.
My email got blocked off. But I guess I can just get a notification when someone replies.
Thanks again
Thanks again
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