Question:
Anyone have any thyroid problems contributing to hair loss pre-op? How did it affect-

I am considering surgery, but have very dry brittle hair.Although I take my thyroid hormone as ordered. Also my lab values are in range. My PCP referred me(to rule out skin disorder or infection) to a dermatologist who found nothing. I get my hair professionally done by a excellent stylist each week, but it continues to break. I now take daily vitamin supplements which does not appear to make a difference. Any suggestions or comments from anyone who can relate are welcomed.    — M M. (posted on February 13, 2003)

February 13, 2003
Unfortunately, I don't really have any advice for you. Although my hair was never dry or brittle I have always suffered more than normal daily loss, which I attribute to either my hypothyroid or the medication I take for it. I had about three months, starting about 4 months post-op where the loss was very great. I still lose a lot of hair in the shower, although now I think it is back to being due to the thyroid. Or, the thyroid meds. You may want to look into that. Take care!
   — PaulaM

November 28, 2003
For hair loss after surgery and/or thyroid disease I use Flax Seed capsules and have had great success. I lost no] hair after surgery Good Luck
   — redqueen

November 28, 2003
I have Hashimoto's (hypothyroid) and have had some hair loss pre-op, then took a med that started it really falling out. Biotin stopped it for me. You say you're taking vitamin supplements, but perhaps not enough of the one that will help? I've been taking 5 mg of biotin once a day, or 5000 mcg. Many people try biotin and don't take enough so it never seems to help. Don't know if it'll work for you, but it did for me, and it's available over the counter. Takes about a week to kick in, though. I'm now 2 weeks post-op, so not far enough out for the surgical hair loss to have kicked in. Best of luck with your hair loss and your weight loss journey. Chyrl Lap RNY 11/13/03 -23 pounds
   — Chyrl W.

April 18, 2005
SYNTHROID IS NOT THE ONLY ANSWER! Please beware that family practitioners and OBs are NOT trained about the thyroid in medical school. Endocrinologists should always be approached when you are hypothyroid. There is another factor that many women are affected by and that is a lack of the thyroid hormone T3. If you have a T3 problem, no amount of Synthroid will help you because it only provides the hormone T4. I nearly died from this oversight and not knowing better... You know yourself. Don't be shy to demand to feel ok. Good Luck! -160 lbs ad counting so far!!! http://www.geocities.com/propesrl/surgery.html
   — Rachel Propes