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Graves disease: What can I do about hair loss?

Posted by lora754 @lora754, Aug 9, 2022

Am wondering if anyone with Graves disease/Graves opthamology has noticed body wide hair loss? I no longer have hair on my legs and very little on my arms/underarms, and about half the hair on my head. I really don't want to go bald but no one can give me any answers or offer any help to stop the hair loss.

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hello1234 | @hello1234 | Aug 11, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Please don't worry about what you are eating! My metallosis was caused by faulty (since discontinued)..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

Please don't worry about what you are eating! My metallosis was caused by faulty (since discontinued) metal-on-metal hip implants. Once upon a time, the medical research community got an idea for a hip replacement that would last a lifetime. Instead of using a ceramic ball on the femur, and a polymer lining in the acetabular cup (hip joint) they tried using chromium for one, and cobalt for the other, with a titanium stem. The theory was that the fluid in the joint would lubricate it and with metal, there would be no wear. Oops! Up to half of the recipients experienced metal-on-metal wear. Nearly microscopic bits of the metal deposited in the surrounding tissue, leading to metal poisoning and tissue breakdown. That happened to me, causing metal poisoning which led to pain, tissue breakdown, crazy hyperthyroid, tremors, rapid heartbeat and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. After 5 years, the implants were removed and replaced with traditional materials. It took about 2 more years for the metals to work their way through my system & out of the body, as there is no chelation therapy for chromium or cobalt. Some of my symptoms cleared, others will be my companions for life. At first, the Graves was discounted as an aftereffect of the heavy metal, but after more than a few reports, it has now been added to the list.
About 2 years later, I regained most of the hair on my head and my eyelashes, but little of the hair on my body. I used to have bushy eyebrows I needed to tame, now they are scant & must be filled in with makeup.

When this happened, I learned that in medicine, new is not necessarily better. I ask FAR MORE questions now, and do a lot of research on my own.
Sue

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@sueinmn Thank you so much for the education! I had no idea about the metal hip replacement problem. I agree with you about "new" medical devices and medicine. I have learned too that the older versions are sometimes better.
Thank you again for sharing your story and educating me. I love the Mayo Connect family because I learn so much. 😊

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catkelly | @catkelly | Mar 23 7:55am
In reply to @Erinmfs "I suffer from thyroid conditions, I had my thyroid chemically removed 30 years ago. If I..." + (show)
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I suffer from thyroid conditions, I had my thyroid chemically removed 30 years ago. If I forget to take my thyroid pill, and my thyroid levels suffer, so does my hair, I suffer hair loss. I've been taking a levothyroxine pill for 30 years now, I eligously take it now that I'cve had these issues. I would have never wished this curse on me or anybody else when I swallowed that radioactive iodine pill so many years ago.

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@Erinmfs
I fully understand. I had I-131 in 1979. I recently have had issues with regulation of my thyroid levels. My primary has fiddled with my medication and created a mess. Normal T3 T4, but slightly lower TSH. I feel great. When she lowered my medication I had the weight gain, hair loss, constantly cold and exhausted. I really should invest in seeing and endocrinologist. Of course at 74 no one takes you seriously.

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