What Causes Severe Hair Loss And Heart Palpitations While On Westhroid?

Posted on Sat, 14 Jan 2017

Question: I am experiencing sudden severe hair loss after i was told to double my throid westthroid 2 to 4 grams a day
i have stopped and just taking 2 grams now heart palpitations went away but will hair grow back? and what is a average dose is 2 grams considered high? my doc needs to do blood work going in on monday for that

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Any reports of last test available?

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your question.
Westthroid is a preparation containing both T3 and T4 ( 2 different forms of thyroid hormones). The dose of thyroid hormone replacement is based on your TSH values and body weight. May I know what was your recent TSH values?
I noted that you are getting the blood works on Monday and it would be great to know the results so that we can advice you better.

2 Grains of WESTTHROID contains 76 mcg T4 and 18 mcg T3. So 4 grains would be double of that. That is a high dose and that would have been the reason why you were getting palpitations.

Hair fall is a common complaint with thyroid problems and once your thyroid hormone levels are normal, it would stop falling. However, you should also search for other causes of hair fall like iron and vitamin deficiencies .

Please let us know your last TSH values and the new reports.,

regards
Binu

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar