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Hair Loss. Blood Work Had High TSH Levels. If Medication Is Ruled Out, Suggest A Diet?

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Posted on Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Question: HELLO..I GOT MY THYROID TESTS DONE LAST WEEK AS I HAVE HAIR LOSS PROBLEM...T3 AND T4 LEVELS WERE NORMAL BUT TSH LEVEL WAS AROUND 9. DOCTOR SUGGESTED ME NOT TO START MEDICINE FOR TSH AS MEDICINE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN WHOLE LIFE. IF T3 OR T4 LEVELS WERE ABNORMAL THEN MEDICINE WOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED.

MY QUESTION IS THAT IF MEDICINE IS NOT TO BE TAKEN KINDLY ADVISE ME DIET WHICH I SHOULD FOLLOW TO BRING BACK MY TSH LEVELS TO NORMAL? AND IS IT RELATED TO HAIRFALL ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (3 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thyroid dysfunction i.e. hypothyroidism is associated with severe hair fall.

Elevated TSH with normal T3 T4 indicates subclinical hypothyroidism i.e. beginning of hypothyroidism.

Also there can be other many causes of hair loss like male pattern baldness, seborreic dermatitis, alopecia areata etc.

TSH level of 9 is not very high but levels of more than 5 is not normal.


You can wait for three months and repeat the tests and then also if TSH is high then low dose thyroxin tabs can be started.

To suggest better I would like to know a few more details regarding your condition. Please answer the following..

Do you have dandruff/scaly scalp?
Do you have scalp itching?
any visible abnormality of scalp?
Which part of scalp you are having hair loss?(frontal/temporal/diffuse)
Any family history of Male pattern baldness.
Have you done your haemoglobin levels recently?
Any history of recent illness /fever?

Treatment of hair fall depends on type of hair fall.
Blood test like Haemogram, ESR tests are must.
Also a Lipid profile is advisable in your case of raised TSH as it is associated with hypercholesterolaemia.


A physical examination is a must before any conclusion can be reached and therapy can be started.
I would suggest that you visit your general a dermatologist so that the lesion can be examined and appropriate therapy can be prescribed.

Awaiting your response.

Dr Sudarshan.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudarshan (15 hours later)
thanx for the prompt reply..

actually i got my hair straightened last year from a saloon..and hairfall started after that..last week i did some usual blood tests because i was feeling weak and lethargic from couple of weeks..so to just make sure evrythng is okay doctor suggested a complete blood test..only tsh levels are high..

as you suggested that no need to start medicine specifically for tsh and i should get tests done again after 3 months..do you mean that tsh will get nrmal after 3 months without taking any medication??? if so then please tell me the diet i should follow for the same..

as per my hair condition i did have dandruff problem but now its not there as i use head and shoulders shampoo..and genetic history of hairfall is not there..my dad grandfather have full hair head..and hairloss is general ..not specific area...thats why is i suspected thyroid problem..

please advice what action plan should i follow now..for TSH and hairfall..thanX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (19 minutes later)
Hi XXXXXXX

You need to follow a general nutritious diet.

Eat 1 fruit every day.

You can have some dry dates, anjir , other dry fruits.
In your case, vegetables like turnip, cabbage, cauliflower are to be avoided as these interfere with thyroid hormone-synthesis.

With thyroid problems, there is a tendency towards constipation, so high fibre-diet, and less of oily/fatty stuff should be had.

Some light exercises to avoid putting on excessive weight are recommended.

Increase the consumption of complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, millet (jowar) and barley (bajra).

Restrict refined products such as flour (maida) and its products such as bread, noodles, macaronis and pastas in regular diet.

Reduce the amount of sugars consumed.

Consume raw fruits and vegetables in form of salads and raitas in every meal. These provide adequate vitamins, minerals and fibre. Fibre is essential as it aids in digestion, has an effective role in managing obesity and cardiovascular problems.

Limit salt intake.

Have small portions of food at a time.

Do not skip meals.

Have regular meal timings.

Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses) in a day.

This diet will also help in hair fall.

You can take vitamin supplements capsules containing Biotin ,cysteine, methionine as it helps in diffuse hair loss in your case.

For TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) rise and T3, T4 normal, nothing needs to be done, except repeat levels after 3 months.

Hope this helps.

Please accept my answer if you don’t have any further queries.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudarshan (3 hours later)
thanx for such a detailed reply Doctor..

so what i understood now is that my TSH levels doesnt have much to do with the hairfall..and nothing to worry as far as tsh is concerned..with good diet it can come down to normal levels?? am i right??

and for hairfall i think its because of chemical treatment which i did for hair straightening..for which i assume there is no cure as such now but the pace of hairfall can be reduced by proper diet..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudarshan (5 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing back.

Yes, you are right. Good diet and vitamin supplement will reduce hair fall.


TSH levels will come down on its own you just avoid vegetables like turnip, cabbage, cauliflower as these interfere with thyroid hormone-synthesis.

Take care.
Hope this helps.

Please accept my answer if you don’t have any further queries.

Regards.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudarshan

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Hair Loss. Blood Work Had High TSH Levels. If Medication Is Ruled Out, Suggest A Diet?

Hi XXXXXXX

Thyroid dysfunction i.e. hypothyroidism is associated with severe hair fall.

Elevated TSH with normal T3 T4 indicates subclinical hypothyroidism i.e. beginning of hypothyroidism.

Also there can be other many causes of hair loss like male pattern baldness, seborreic dermatitis, alopecia areata etc.

TSH level of 9 is not very high but levels of more than 5 is not normal.


You can wait for three months and repeat the tests and then also if TSH is high then low dose thyroxin tabs can be started.

To suggest better I would like to know a few more details regarding your condition. Please answer the following..

Do you have dandruff/scaly scalp?
Do you have scalp itching?
any visible abnormality of scalp?
Which part of scalp you are having hair loss?(frontal/temporal/diffuse)
Any family history of Male pattern baldness.
Have you done your haemoglobin levels recently?
Any history of recent illness /fever?

Treatment of hair fall depends on type of hair fall.
Blood test like Haemogram, ESR tests are must.
Also a Lipid profile is advisable in your case of raised TSH as it is associated with hypercholesterolaemia.


A physical examination is a must before any conclusion can be reached and therapy can be started.
I would suggest that you visit your general a dermatologist so that the lesion can be examined and appropriate therapy can be prescribed.

Awaiting your response.

Dr Sudarshan.