Levothyroxine changed to .75 and my hair is falling out

Posted by MGMolly @Erinmfs, Dec 15, 2020

Recently, doctors changed my levothyroxine pill from .125 to .75. I have lost 25 lbs this year. Is this normal? My hair is falling out now, mildly. I've had my thyroid medicine changed before, and my hair fell out in clumps I swear! I was in the hospital when it changed. Should I see an endocrinologist for my thyroid? I've had this problem 25 years, and never seen an endocrinologist. Perhaps it's time to start. Any thoughts?

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Yes, see the endocrinologist. My hair fell out after I had anesthesia and after I gave birth. I have had low thyroid for many years and it was not well addressed by my primary care doctors. Now that my thyroid has been removed due to cancerous nodules, I am still on a low dose of Synthroid so I don't get more cancer, the endocrinologist said. I have low energy and they blame it on the diabetes. It is probably due to more than one issue. Dorisena

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MGMolly...I think so, for sure. It sounds like it's time for you to find out what's really happening, what your body is saying to you and what it needs! I have Hashimoto's thyroid, just diagnosed officially at Mayo. I've had hypothyroid and on replacement meds for years, with lots of symptoms and side effects. re weight gain/loss, hair loss, nails cracking and splitting and UGH!, skin dryness, etc. I was just at Mayo hospital in Nov. due to thyroid issues, over medicated. My med is reduced and now I'm so much better.....heart, bp, hair, nails, energy.....but know it has to be closely monitored and I must have regular testing. That's our responsibilty, to be good to ourselves. And, to get to the right doc. That's why I go to Mayo, which is nearby. Wish you well on this journey....blessings. Elizabeth

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Elizabeth, it is the closely monitored part that my doctors have not done over the years. Hair, nails, and energy have always been a problem. Now every problem is associated with diabetes and old age. They don't seem to think I need better energy at my age. I have a rocking chair but I don't use it.
Dorisena

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@dorisena, You sound like me. I have Gelsolin, an Amyloidosis, part of Multiple Myeloma, a familial cancer. It hits every tissue in your body, but, fortunately, it usually waits until age 50-60 before hitting hard. It is progressive, and is always fatal at some point if you don't die from something else. It includes sparse hair, skin dystrophies, nail issues, heart, etc. etc. And there is no cure ..... yet. So don't sweat the diagnosis. Just live the best you can. And one other thing you lose.... your sweating ability, and weight. The gene sign is GSN, or AGEL.

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Here is a specialist located in Tampa Florida. Check him out.
https://www.thyroidcancer.com/dr-gary-clayman-md

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dorisena, MGMolly: If you live near a medical center, like UF or Mayo Jacksonville or Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Roch. or Boston......suggest you contact them to see if they have an opening soon with an endocrinologist and make your way there for a good work-up. If it involves a bit of travel, do it anyway...one time for a couple of days. They weill schedule your doctor visits and test within your timeframe so you can get a lot done in a few days. That's one of the dream sides of this process. You are referred from your first doctor for testing and to any other doctor who might be of help. Get everything done all in one trip if possible....then, if you must, your local specialist can follow up and you visit the center once a year or whatever is required for your issues. I love this set-up. But, I do live in Jacksonville, Fl near the Mayo Clinic/Hospital, so it's an easy fix for me. Just hoping to get you thinking in this direction if you think it would work for you. Blesssings on this journey! Elizabeth

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Thanks,Elizabeth, I have been thinking about the Cleveland Clinic for some time now, as my brother and sister both had cancer issues and I am thinking early diagnosis would be better than waiting until I am quite ill as they did before their deaths. I have had cancer twice already, in addition to skin problems.
I know that I can get tests done at a Ceveland Clinic lab here in Columbus and that would be easy to do. I am beginning to think that my current issues are not really related to outcomes from back surgery four years ago. I had a friend who went to the Jacksonville site and was very successful in his cancer recovery. My brother had stage 4 cancer before he was finally diagnosed and that was too late. He complained of back pain and was ignored at first.
My sister would not manage her diabetes, gained much weight, and went downhill from there. It is difficult to say what she died from, due to comorbidity.
But it was a terrible decline, and so pitiful for everyone to endure. I must get checked out this coming year. Dorisena

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@dorisena

Thanks,Elizabeth, I have been thinking about the Cleveland Clinic for some time now, as my brother and sister both had cancer issues and I am thinking early diagnosis would be better than waiting until I am quite ill as they did before their deaths. I have had cancer twice already, in addition to skin problems.
I know that I can get tests done at a Ceveland Clinic lab here in Columbus and that would be easy to do. I am beginning to think that my current issues are not really related to outcomes from back surgery four years ago. I had a friend who went to the Jacksonville site and was very successful in his cancer recovery. My brother had stage 4 cancer before he was finally diagnosed and that was too late. He complained of back pain and was ignored at first.
My sister would not manage her diabetes, gained much weight, and went downhill from there. It is difficult to say what she died from, due to comorbidity.
But it was a terrible decline, and so pitiful for everyone to endure. I must get checked out this coming year. Dorisena

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Well, dorisena, sounds like you really do need to take this by the horns and get moving since you have your brother and sister's situations to remember and make the choice....your own choice.....you in charge - nice!.... to take charge and get your body under some kind of control before it's out of control. Make sense? I'm working on it. Guess that's what we're all working toward. Find out from the best what's happening, do what you must to get better/improve/or at least understand and know what to do. Love this plan. Enjoy your journey and let us know how you do! Blessings, Elizabeth

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