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Have Bipolar. Depression, Hair Loss, Dizziness And Weight Gain. Do I Have Hormonal Or Thyroid Problem?
Question: Hello,
I've always had problems with serious hair loss starting at age 19. I'm now 47 (also bipolar, mostly depression). I'm wondering if I have a hormonal or thyroid problem; I've had thyroid tests and they've come back normal -right in the middle of normal range. But both my mother and grandmother took thyroid medication. My symptoms include: hair loss, extreme fatigue, weight gain, dizziness, hives off and on that are very bad (i've cleaned my apartment for dust mites and it's not helping) constipation, hoarse throat/voice, sweating at night. I may be perimenopausal, but I take supplements and am not in menopause. I also tested my temperature for a week and it was always low, so now I take a natural iodine supplement with 5mg of thyroid (?) formula in it. I'm not really feeling better although my hair loss seems to have slowed down.
Do you have any idea what I should be testing for when I go to a doctor?
thank you!
I've always had problems with serious hair loss starting at age 19. I'm now 47 (also bipolar, mostly depression). I'm wondering if I have a hormonal or thyroid problem; I've had thyroid tests and they've come back normal -right in the middle of normal range. But both my mother and grandmother took thyroid medication. My symptoms include: hair loss, extreme fatigue, weight gain, dizziness, hives off and on that are very bad (i've cleaned my apartment for dust mites and it's not helping) constipation, hoarse throat/voice, sweating at night. I may be perimenopausal, but I take supplements and am not in menopause. I also tested my temperature for a week and it was always low, so now I take a natural iodine supplement with 5mg of thyroid (?) formula in it. I'm not really feeling better although my hair loss seems to have slowed down.
Do you have any idea what I should be testing for when I go to a doctor?
thank you!
Hi and thanks for the query,
I critical evaluation of your health condition is required. The first and most important tests are thyroid function tests to ascertain the level of hormones, institute a treatment and have a baseline to monitor. A fasting blood glucose level measurements are also very important to exclude diabetes mellitus. Complete blood count, screening for rhumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and connective tissue diseases could explain much of your symptoms. IN this particular case, a detailed clinical assessment by an internist is very appropriate.
Coming back to the problem of hair loss, a critical evaluation is needed. Iron defficiencies, hormonal deficiencies like thyroid disease, copper insufficiency, Iodine deficiency, anemia, stress, hypothyroidism, genetic in origin. Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune condition that could also lead to hair loss.
I will insist that your consult an internist first for a proper evaluation, then a dermatologist for his specialist s point of view.
Hypothyroidism, Cushing s disease, diabetes mellitus, feeding habits, genetics and a sedentary life style are commonest causes of weight gain.
Hope this helps and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
I critical evaluation of your health condition is required. The first and most important tests are thyroid function tests to ascertain the level of hormones, institute a treatment and have a baseline to monitor. A fasting blood glucose level measurements are also very important to exclude diabetes mellitus. Complete blood count, screening for rhumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and connective tissue diseases could explain much of your symptoms. IN this particular case, a detailed clinical assessment by an internist is very appropriate.
Coming back to the problem of hair loss, a critical evaluation is needed. Iron defficiencies, hormonal deficiencies like thyroid disease, copper insufficiency, Iodine deficiency, anemia, stress, hypothyroidism, genetic in origin. Alopecia Areata is a common autoimmune condition that could also lead to hair loss.
I will insist that your consult an internist first for a proper evaluation, then a dermatologist for his specialist s point of view.
Hypothyroidism, Cushing s disease, diabetes mellitus, feeding habits, genetics and a sedentary life style are commonest causes of weight gain.
Hope this helps and best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. Do you have any other general recommendations?
Hi and thanks for the query,
For now none actually. Maybe will have some after your consultation based on the Dr s findings and laboratory and other tests. Hope to have something to contribute then.
Thanks as I hope to be hearing from you soon on the results of the consultation and tests.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
For now none actually. Maybe will have some after your consultation based on the Dr s findings and laboratory and other tests. Hope to have something to contribute then.
Thanks as I hope to be hearing from you soon on the results of the consultation and tests.
Wishing you good health.
Best regards,
Luchuo, MD.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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