Graves' Disease Support Group

Don't forget to add the Free T3 and the T3 the next time. It will explain further.

You mentioned in a previous topic that you changed Synthroid doses about two weeks ago.

It is quite possible for you that you would need to get the Free T4 up to mid ranges. Hopefully the TSH will get down to under 2.0 for you soon.

I am sure with all the recent Synthroid changes, as well as the cause of anxiety/panic attacks and now your hair, has something to do with it all. See what the Fre T3/T3 is as well.

Take care... ?

My hair was falling out a few weeks ago, due to levels changing and the synthroid. Being Hypo does this as well.
It will stop soon once you are better and in Normal ranges with labs. Euthyroid
I lost soooooooooooooo much I was scared. Didnt have tons to begin with, but it will get better as you seem to be coming to some point of being Hypo. Its just part of the course unfortunately.
I have noticed new baby hairs coming and growing around my forhead the last week and am soooooooooooo HAPPY.
Be positive its coming for you too soon.
Kelly

I agree with mmz...I think the FT4 plays a important role but the FT3 has a direct relation to how you feel emotionally and physically. I had terrible hair loss. I had bald spots on the top of my head. I used to have very thick hair but I had lost so much hair clips would not stay in. Nothing to grab onto.

I believe the supplements I took and getting my FT3 closer to range is what helped with my hair growing back. I dont have all my hair back yet but I do have about 75% back. I can wear hair clips again. I need them when I'm at work. I really think its important to include your T3 and FT3 as part of your monthly blood tests. It should just be part of your tests. I dont understand why your Endo isnt ordering them.

Mia So sorry this is happening to you. May be stress mayb levels. Also can be the Synthroid itself. (Google it most docs arent even aware that it is a side effect) I jst read a whole article on it b/c I am goin to discuss TT w/ a surgeon at Sloane kettern in NY whole only performs head and neck surgeries. I wanted to know all the details of Synthroid Levx and any other hormone replacement med. I find if Im any where near hypo my hair falls out in the clump load for months. I am in the same position u are in now w/ aniexty and hair falling out and MY LEVELS are hypo endo. This doent happen to everyone we jst may be the lucky few that experience hairloss in large amounts. Let me know how it works out Have a healthy new yr feel better soon

Hi Mia,
I lost lots of hair while hyper and hypo. It seems like I lost a bunch of it after the RAI. I noticed it slowed down considerably over the last 2 weeks and wonder if it's because I've been on Synthroid and my levels are getting better. I noticed little hairs coming back around my hairline and my hairdresser noticed lots of new growth so I am tickled pink.
Stress is definitely something that can make your hair fall out. Not just medications. Many times when your body is lacking in vitamins and minerals it can cause hair loss.

Drugs That Can Cause Hair Loss
Hope this helps took this from another board sorry its so long


I was asked if I could provide a list of a drugs that can possibly trigger hair loss. I would like to start the list off with my current nemesis, Synthroid. Synthroid is a common medication that is prescribed to treat hypothroidism. Apparently it is a pretty common side effect to experience hair loss from it for those individuals who are sensitive to the medication. I’m sure there are plenty of women taking the drug with no adverse effects to their hair, but it should not be overlooked as a possible contributing factor to your hair loss. The listed “side effects” section on drugs.com it indicates that the hair loss is “usually temporary,” and the “special warnings” section indicates that “it is temporary,” well is it or isn’t it? Of the several doctors I’ve spoken with they have confirmed that it does cause hair loss in some individuals, and not the temporary kind, at least not until the problem with the medication is resolved. Just as a low thyroid (hyopthyroidism) can cause hair loss so can an overdose of the medication Synthroid. The following are signs of over stimulation:

Abdominal cramps, anxiety, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, fever, flushing, hair loss, headache, heart attack or failure, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle weakness, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss.

You do not necessarily need to be experiencing all of these symptoms to have an overstimulated thyroid caused by your thyroid medication. I put it out there so that you can have this knowledge in case you begin to notice hair loss after starting the medication or having your dosage raised. That is another factor to keep in mind, if you have recently had your dose raised after years of being at a certain dosage level, it is possible that the increase in dosage was too much for you body. You should talk to your doctor or seek another opinion from an experienced and knowledgeable physician, an endocrinologist may be a good choice.

So without further ado here is the list of drugs that can possibly cause hair loss, also note this is not the complete comprehensive list, just the more common ones known.

From The American Hair Loss Association:

The drugs are listed by category, according to the conditions they treat, then by brand name first followed by the drug’s generic name in parentheses. In some categories, individual drugs are not listed. For these conditions, you will want to discuss the possibility of hair loss as a side effect of using any of the drugs that treat that particular condition, since many do contribute to hair loss.

Acne

All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including:

Accutane (isotretinoin)
Blood

Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including:

Panwarfin (warfarin sodium)
Sofarin (warfarin sodium)
Coumadin (warfarin sodium)
Heparin injections
Cholesterol

Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including:

Atronid-S (clofibrate)
Lopid (gemfibrozil)
Convulsions/ Epilepsy

Anticonvulsants, including:
Tridone (trimethadione)
Depression

Antidepression drugs, including:
Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Janimine (imipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Tofranil PM (imipramine)
Adapin (doxepin)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Ventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavin (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pertofrane (desipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Haldol ( haloperidol)
Diet

Amphetamines
Fungus

Antifungals
Glaucoma

The beta-blocker drugs, including:

Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
Timoptic XC (timolol)
Gout

Lopurin (allopurinol)
Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Heart

Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including those known as the beta blockers, which are also used to treat high blood pressure, and include:

Tenormin (atenolol)
Lopressor (metoprolol)
Corgard (nadolol)
Inderal and Inderal LA (propanolol)
Blocadren (timolol)
High Blood Pressure

See Above list of beta blockers under “Heart”

Hormonal Conditions

All hormone-containing drugs and drugs prescribed for hormone-related, reproductive, male-specific, and female-specific conditions and situations have the potential to cause hair loss, including:

Birth Control Pills
Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for women (estrogen or progesterone)
Male androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone
Anabolic steriods
Prednisone and other steroids
Inflammation

Many anti-inflammatory drugs, including those prescribed for localized pain, swelling and injury.

Arthritis drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs including:
Naprosyn (naproxen)
Anaprox (naproxen)
Anaprox DS (naproxen)
Indocin (indomethacin)
Indocin SR (indomethacin)
Clinoril (sulindac)
An anti-inflammatory that is also used as a chemotherapy drug:

Methotrexate (MTX)
Rheumatex (methotrexate)
Folex (methotrexate)
Parkinson’s Disease

Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa)
Thyroid Disorders

Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid
Ulcer

Many of the drugs used to treat indigestion, stomach difficulties, and ulcers, including over-the-counter dosages and prescription dosages.

Tagamet (cimetidine)
Zantac (ranitidine)
Pepcid (famotidine)