I always had very thick, long, curly hair. Around the age of 30, I started noticing my hair clogging the shower drain from time to time. However, since I still had so much hair, it wasn't high on my personal list of worst hypothyroidism symptoms.
Then all of a sudden one close look in the mirror, when I turned 42 years old, changed all that.
As I was brushing my hair something caught my eye in the mirror.
Wait for …is that my scalp showing through?
A closer look.
My hair was noticeably thinner on both sides of my head above my ears, front, and at the temples.
My gut reaction was a scream, then tears.
What happened to my hair?
Then anger.
Hey Thyroid, Do NOT mess with me.
I cut off all my long hair, literally into a short pixie cut. I couldn't stand to watch the mounds of hair falling off my head.
I went into deep research mode, searching for every article and published a study that I could find. I turned myself into a human guinea pig trying every supplement that I found connected to hair loss discovering a few that worked and too many that didn't.
I was determined to save my hair.
Fast forward 6 years to 2018. I recently went in for a haircut and color. My hair stylist told me that his team loved my hair so much that they wanted to take my photo to add to their collection to show clients. I was so emotional that tears welled up in my eyes. 6 years of researching at all hours of the day and night, firing doctor after doctor to find the best ones, reaching optimal thyroid treatment, going through comprehensive lab testing, and trying supplement after supplement and I did it. I saved my hair. And you can too.
Please note that I am not a doctor. I'm just sharing the ten things that worked for me in the hopes that you will discover what works for you too. I've included links to brands of supplements that I personally take in orange font. I didn't just start taking all these supplements all at once. I always start with one supplement and try that for a few weeks and note any improvements in my symptoms or adverse reactions before introducing another supplement, and so on. As with all things in particular supplements mentioned at Hypothyroid Mom, consult with your doctor to be sure they are right for you and that you are taking the right dosage for your body. Our physiology is unique so what works for each of us will be unique too. Always consult with your doctor before taking supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
1. Optimal Thyroid Treatment
Every part of the body requires thyroid hormone for proper functioning, and that includes the hair follicles. In 2008, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism presented the first evidence that human hair follicles are direct targets of thyroid hormones. This research demonstrated that the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 modulate multiple hair biology parameters from cycling to pigmentation.
You'll notice that I bolded the words thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Why is this so important for those of us with hair loss?
In mainstream medicine, Levothyroxine drugs are the gold standard for the treatment of hypothyroidism. While these drugs work for some people, they fail for others. Levothyroxine drugs contain T4 thyroid hormone only. Our bodies are supposed to convert that T4 thyroid hormone to the active T3 hormone our cells need. For some of us, our bodies don't convert T4 to T3 properly, leaving us symptomatic. This is why many of us do better on a combination of T4 and T3 thyroid hormone replacement treatment.
The noticeable hair loss was a red flag for me that I needed to get to my doctor for thyroid testing. I'm on the natural desiccated thyroid Nature-thyroid plus a compounded time-release T3. My doctor did comprehensive testing including the essential thyroid tests TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. Turned out my Free T3 was middle of the range. I personally feel terrible when my Free T3 is low or even middle of the range. Optimal Free T3 for my body is when it reaches a top quarter of the normal range, so adjusting my thyroid medication dosage was an essential piece of my thyroid hair loss. What is optimal is individual and it's about finding what's right for you.
There are many different thyroid medication options. Finding a doctor open the treatment options to find what is right for you is key. Sadly not all doctors are open to the options and it can be a very frustrating journey. I've put together resources to help readers locate great thyroid doctors across the globe.
While optimal thyroid treatment was an essential piece of the puzzle, there were additional pieces critical to my hair loss solution.
2. Low Ferritin
Low ferritin (the stored form of iron) is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women. Given low ferritin is also a common problem for hypothyroid people, it is important to have iron testing including ferritin especially if you are experiencing hair loss. It is not enough to be told by your doctor that your iron levels are 'normal'. Ferritin levels are not always tested. Get a copy of your lab results and be sure ferritin has been specifically tested. Even if ferritin is within the 'normal' range that doesn't make it 'optimal'.
Dr. Philip Kingsley is called the 'Hair Guru' by the New York Times. Why Is Ferritin Important? appears on his website:
Treating low ferritin was another major piece of my hair loss solution. It's not surprising to me at all that I had low ferritin given the decades I spent with irregular heavy menstrual cycles (which is another symptom of hypothyroidism by the way) and my doctors all those years never tested to see if I was low.
I tried various iron supplements and many of them gave me digestive issues including gas, stomach cramps, and constipation. With a life-long history of constipation, that was the last thing I needed. I have personally found that iron in the form of liver concentrate such as the brand Carlson Labs Buffalo Liver
works well for my body. My doctor regularly checks my iron levels including ferritin to be sure I am taking the right dosage of iron supplements for my body and that I'm not taking too much because over-dosing on iron can be dangerous.
works well for my body. My doctor regularly checks my iron levels including ferritin to be sure I am taking the right dosage of iron supplements for my body and that I'm not taking too much because over-dosing on iron can be dangerous.
I'm careful to take iron supplements including multivitamins with iron at least 3 hours apart from my thyroid medication to ensure the iron doesn't interfere with the absorption of my thyroid medication.
3. Low Stomach Acid
I read a fascinating interview with Dr. Jonathan Wright by Suzanne Somers Honey, I Shrunk My Ponytail! Turns out this article would change the fate of my hair.
Turns out low stomach acid results in malabsorption of iron (which as you know is necessary for maintaining our hair) and many other essential nutrients. Thanks to this article I discovered my own issues with low stomach acid and now take this Betaine Hydrochloric Acid with Pepsin
. I started at the lowest dose and over time increased the dose gradually until I found what worked. This has also helped me personally with heartburn, gas, acid reflux, and bloating.
. I started at the lowest dose and over time increased the dose gradually until I found what worked. This has also helped me personally with heartburn, gas, acid reflux, and bloating.
I know what you are thinking, all of you with heartburn and acid reflux are taking antacids to do the opposite – reduce, neutralize the acid. Hmmm. Maybe the real source of your discomfort is too little acid and the real solution is increasing acid instead!
Drinking warm water with lemon every morning has definitely helped too.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies are a common issue for those of us with hypothyroidism. Not only are nutrients essential for thyroid function, but they also play an important role in keeping the hair on our heads from falling. A good quality multi-vitamin is important and of course a healthy diet is essential, but still, nutrient testing is important because many like me will require additional supplementation to bring us to optimal. Testing should include iodine, zinc, vitamin D, B12, and magnesium (for each nutrient listed I attached an article that explains its connection to hair loss).
Nutrient deficiencies are an issue for me personally. I supplement every day to maintain my nutrients at optimum. When I noticed a worsening of my hair loss last year, nutrient testing revealed that I was deficient in all those nutrients necessary for hair health. This high-quality multivitamin also made a world of difference.
5. Drug-Induced Hair Loss
There are many different types of drugs that can cause hair loss. Here is a list of What Types of Drugs Cause Hair Loss by WebMD:
Did you notice that I highlighted thyroid medications on that list?
I've heard from many readers who had sudden worsening of their hair loss when they started one or another thyroid drug brand. Think back to the start of your hair loss, did it happen at the same time you started a specific thyroid medication?
6. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is a hair-loss condition that typically causes patchy bald spots on the scalp. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles.
What does this have to do with hypothyroidism? A lot.
It is estimated that 90% of people with hypothyroidism have the thyroid autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its own thyroid gland. Despite the prevalence of Hashimoto's, thyroid antibodies are often NOT tested. You may have Hashimoto's and not even know it. There are two thyroid antibodies to test for Hashimoto's: Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb).
When you have one autoimmune disease, you are at high risk of developing other autoimmune diseases. In her guest post for Hypothyroid Mom Autoimmune Diseases Brew In Your Body FOR YEARS Before Diagnosis, Functional Medicine nutritionist Tracy Konoske wrote:
I hear from readers all the time with multiple autoimmune diseases including Hashimoto's and Alopecia. If this turns out to be the cause of your hair loss, it is important to address the underlying autoimmune issue.
7. Sex Hormone Imbalances
Perimenopause…are you freakin' kidding me?!
The signs were there. My menstrual cycles changed very suddenly and became much shorter in length. At that exact same time, my hair loss accelerated. Coincidence? I don't think so.
I went to my doctor and had my sex hormones tested.
For me, it turned out I was in perimenopause. What is perimenopause? It's that rocky road of hormonal shifts leading to menopause. When perimenopause starts varies for each woman, but it can start 10 years before menopause.
In my case, sex hormone testing revealed that I had estrogen dominance, too much estrogen relative to progesterone. The term estrogen dominance was coined by Dr. John Lee, author of the books What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance
and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life From Thirty to Fifty
.
and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause: Balance Your Hormones and Your Life From Thirty to Fifty.
Don't forget testosterone testing too…yes, testosterone. Harvard-trained MD and author of the New York Times Best Seller The Hormone Cure
Dr. Sara Gottfried had this to say about testosterone in her article The Horrors of Hair Loss for The Huffington Post:
Dr. Sara Gottfried had this to say about testosterone in her article The Horrors of Hair Loss for The Huffington Post:
High testosterone can cause hair loss but so can low testosterone. Be sure to have yours tested.
According to Dr. Josh Axe, hair loss is also linked to an increase in an androgen hormone called DHT (DiHydroxy Testosterone).
I'm fortunate to have a great doctor who did extensive testing including DHT.. I wonder though how many doctors know to test DHT? Hmmm…It means being an advocate for yourself and insisting on the right tests, or finding a good doctor who will do them.
8. Blood Sugar Imbalance
Author of the New York Times bestselling book Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause
Dr. Izabella Wentz wrote:
Dr. Izabella Wentz wrote:
In an interview with Hashimoto's expert Dr. Datis Kharrazian, author of the book Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal, he said,
I find these two sources very interesting because I've been on a gluten-free journey and I've been working on stabilizing my blood sugar levels. I was a white flour and sugar addict and I remember too well the swings up and down and crashes in my blood sugar throughout the day. Since going gluten-free I've been more mindful of my blood sugar levels and I don't experience the sharp crashes in energy that I used to. I have to be honest and tell you that I find it hard to go 100% gluten-free but when I do I feel better and it motivates me to continue. What I've noticed is that when I do cheat and eat a heavy gluten meal my hair comes out in handfuls. Is it a coincidence? I don't think so.
9. Hair Loss Supplements
Here are supplements that I take on a daily basis that have made an obvious difference in my hair.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Dr. Andrew Weil is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. In his article Two Supplements for Thinning Hair, he wrote:
I take this brand of Cod Liver Oil
free of detectable levels of mercury every day and I take evening primrose oil as I'll describe next.
free of detectable levels of mercury every day and I take evening primrose oil as I'll describe next.
Evening Primrose Oil
Mary Shomon wrote this in her article at About.com Thyroid Hair Loss Solutions For Thyroid Patients:
I use this brand of Evening Primrose Oil
.
.
Silicon
I read this study on the benefits of a bioavailable form of silicon called choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) on skin, nails, and hair. Sure enough, this silicon (ch-OSA) supplement called BIOSIL
has made a difference not only in my hair but also my skin and nails.
has made a difference not only in my hair but also my skin and nails.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body found in your skin, hair, bones, and tendons. Our body produces less and less of it as we age. I've long read about the benefits, including improved skin and nails and even pain reduction, of replenishing our depleting collagen stores with a form easily assimilated by the human body including hydrolyzed collagen and gelatin. I became particularly interested in collagen for hair loss when I read about a study published in Science in 2016. It all started with investigating the hair follicle stem cells of mice where researchers discovered that age-related DNA damage triggers the destruction of a protein called Collagen 17A1. The hair follicles of older people then convert themselves into skin cells, and over time baldness ensues. Think of the image of each hair follicle on your head disappearing leaving behind bare skin one at a time and on and on. My favorite brand is Great Lakes
, which comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals.
, which comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals.
Biotin
Biotin is a very popular supplement recommended by many doctors, pharmacists, health food stores, TV shopping channels, health websites and more when it comes to hair loss. To find some of the best supplement brands for me to try in my quest for thyroid wellness, combing the internet for customer reviews of various brands have been an important part of my process. I've read mixed reviews about biotin. Some users love biotin and others find no improvement or they complain about adverse reactions like acne breakout. Biotin didn't make a significant difference for me but it might work for you and some brands get incredible reviews like this one
.
.
Please note that in January 2016 the Endocrine News published this article January 2016: Thyroid Month: Beware of Biotin which stated that taking biotin supplements could cause falsely high and falsely low results in a variety of laboratory tests, including thyroid lab tests because biotin interferes with the test platform used for particular laboratory tests. If you are taking biotin and your thyroid lab results begin to change and not make sense in terms of your clinical symptoms speak with your doctor about doing a retest of your thyroid labs after several days of discontinuing your biotin supplement to be sure there is no interference.
10. Adrenal Fatigue
The body relies on the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney to manage stressful situations. Given our busy stressful lives, it's not surprising that many of us suffer from issues of adrenal dysfunction.
How would you know if you have adrenal fatigue?
Check out these symptoms…
fatigue, insomnia, chronic pain, headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, weight gain, joint inflammation, gastrointestinal issues (constipation or diarrhea), tendonitis, bursitis, low libido, fibromyalgia, irritability, anger, fidgety, nervous, addictions, obsessive, frequent urination, heart disease, blood pressure problems, light-headedness, and dizziness upon rising from a bed or chair
Don't many of these symptoms sound a lot like the symptoms of hypothyroidism? Hmmm…
I've read that many hypothyroid people also have adrenal fatigue (whether they realize it or not). From this very list of symptom that's not surprising really.
At that time when my hair loss noticeably worsened, I was going through an extremely stressful time in my life. At that very same time, my menstrual cycles dramatically changed and my progesterone levels plummeted. The thyroid, adrenals, and sex hormones are all so intricately connected, and my experience showed that loud and clear.
The problem is that the adrenals are often NOT tested. In fact, adrenal fatigue is not even a recognized diagnosis in mainstream medicine yet the problem is a serious issue for thyroid patients.
An essential part of my hair loss solution was the testing and treatment of my adrenal fatigue. I'm fortunate to have an open-minded doctor who understands the importance of the adrenals in thyroid health.
I took a saliva test (where I took samples of my saliva at 4 different times over the course of one day) that tested my cortisol. Cortisol production varies throughout the day with levels normally highest in the morning and lowest in the evening before bed (did you know that too high cortisol at night can be a cause of insomnia!). The advantage of saliva testing is that it takes cortisol levels at different times of the day and lets you know how your cortisol levels vary during the day. My results showed that my cortisol levels were below normal throughout the day. I was obviously struggling with adrenal fatigue and I'm so fortunate to have discovered this.
There are different ways to treat adrenal issues and what's right for a person is individual too. I personally do well on adaptogenic herbs including Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Holy Basil, and Schisandra. I take adaptogenic herbs every day, especially in times of real stress. I love the combination of herbs in this supplement by Pure Encapsulations.
That year when I was losing so much hair I was under too much stress.
I'm not always good at being good to myself.
I put other people's needs before my own and let myself fall to the bottom way too often.
I take on far more than I should because I feel guilty to say NO.
NO
I'm not sure why that word is so hard for me to say.
I try to be everything to everyone, but me.
The particularly stressful events in my life at that time along with an unhealthy way of putting myself last wreaked havoc on my hair. I knew at that moment that I had to take better care of myself otherwise I would lose all my hair.
While all the testing, treatments, and supplements mentioned in this article were essential in stopping my hair loss, there was an even bigger thing that saved my hair above all else
source: https://hypothyroidmom.com
