Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Severe Hair Loss When Diagnosed With Hypothyroidism?
Question: I'm experiencing more hair loss than in the past.
Gaining a little more weight & hard to lose it.
I know that it may be an underactive thyroid but I'm not noticing that the color of my toenails are dark on the top half the bottom half the normal lighter color.
Age- 62/female - typically in good health & within +/- 5 lbs of normal weight.
Gaining a little more weight & hard to lose it.
I know that it may be an underactive thyroid but I'm not noticing that the color of my toenails are dark on the top half the bottom half the normal lighter color.
Age- 62/female - typically in good health & within +/- 5 lbs of normal weight.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Depending on how much hair loss or weight gain is happening, this may be due to natural changes from being post menopausal. Increasing exercise, and increasing vegetables (gradually) may help.
But I think it would be a good idea for you to have a thyroid blood panel done (TSH, free T4). Underactive thyroid does not necessarily cause nail changes. You wrote "I'm not noticing that the color of my toenails..." Did you mean that you are now noticing changes or that you do not have changes? I'm asking for clarification because typos are common in telemedicine (including sometimes from my end too!)
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Depending on how much hair loss or weight gain is happening, this may be due to natural changes from being post menopausal. Increasing exercise, and increasing vegetables (gradually) may help.
But I think it would be a good idea for you to have a thyroid blood panel done (TSH, free T4). Underactive thyroid does not necessarily cause nail changes. You wrote "I'm not noticing that the color of my toenails..." Did you mean that you are now noticing changes or that you do not have changes? I'm asking for clarification because typos are common in telemedicine (including sometimes from my end too!)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes that is what I meant to type- I'm now noticing....
I went thru my changes at 46 so it's been a while since I had any post menopausal symptons but certainly age related.
I went thru my changes at 46 so it's been a while since I had any post menopausal symptons but certainly age related.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok - about the toenail color changes, can you upload a couple of good quality pictures? There is a "button", I think it will be on the right side of your screen or on the page that you originally asked your question, that reads "upload reports", for this purpose.
My best guess from your description is that part of the nail is showing changes from a fungal infection. These are very common with toenails and very hard to get rid of permanently (they tend to come back).
But I'll wait to see the pictures before I go into information on what to do about it.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok - about the toenail color changes, can you upload a couple of good quality pictures? There is a "button", I think it will be on the right side of your screen or on the page that you originally asked your question, that reads "upload reports", for this purpose.
My best guess from your description is that part of the nail is showing changes from a fungal infection. These are very common with toenails and very hard to get rid of permanently (they tend to come back).
But I'll wait to see the pictures before I go into information on what to do about it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hopefully you are able to see the picture I uploaded.
It's more of a shade darker on the top of the thumb nail than the bottom part.
The rest of the toes have the same thing going on but on the tip of the toe rather than it being half of the toe like the thumb toes.
It's more of a shade darker on the top of the thumb nail than the bottom part.
The rest of the toes have the same thing going on but on the tip of the toe rather than it being half of the toe like the thumb toes.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for uploading the photo. This is likely to be toe nail fungus making the nails darker. They may become thickened and brittle or crumbly too.
This problem is quite common and happens more in the toe nails rather than finger nails because the toes are more confined in dark moist spaces and more likely to pick it up, too.
Toe nail fungus in an other wise healthy person is usually more of a cosmetic problem than causing anything serious but occasionally in some people, if the problem is severe and extensive, it can cause other problems.
As I mentioned, nail fungus is hard to treat, takes a long time to see results, and is prone to return. For this reason, and also because it can be hard on the liver, I do not recommend oral anti fungal medication unless the problem is severe and there are complications.
You can ask/talk with your doctor about topical prescription antifungal creams.
There are some home remedies people try with varying success. One of them is Vicks VapoRub. In a study of 18 patients, 56 percent had partial improvement of signs and symptoms, and 17 percent saw no improvement. If you want to try this,apply a small amount of the product daily with a cotton swab.
Trim and thin the nails before applying anti fungal cream (or the Vicks) as this helps the medication reach deeper layers of the nail. Another over the counter treatment that is showing some promise is applying Tea Tree Oil.
Expect it to take months to see improvement.
Try to keep your toes as dry and exposed to air as possible. Wear socks and shoes that don't retain moisture and allow for air exchange.
After handling your toes, wash your hands, and use a separate towel, because there is some risk of the fungus spreading.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for uploading the photo. This is likely to be toe nail fungus making the nails darker. They may become thickened and brittle or crumbly too.
This problem is quite common and happens more in the toe nails rather than finger nails because the toes are more confined in dark moist spaces and more likely to pick it up, too.
Toe nail fungus in an other wise healthy person is usually more of a cosmetic problem than causing anything serious but occasionally in some people, if the problem is severe and extensive, it can cause other problems.
As I mentioned, nail fungus is hard to treat, takes a long time to see results, and is prone to return. For this reason, and also because it can be hard on the liver, I do not recommend oral anti fungal medication unless the problem is severe and there are complications.
You can ask/talk with your doctor about topical prescription antifungal creams.
There are some home remedies people try with varying success. One of them is Vicks VapoRub. In a study of 18 patients, 56 percent had partial improvement of signs and symptoms, and 17 percent saw no improvement. If you want to try this,apply a small amount of the product daily with a cotton swab.
Trim and thin the nails before applying anti fungal cream (or the Vicks) as this helps the medication reach deeper layers of the nail. Another over the counter treatment that is showing some promise is applying Tea Tree Oil.
Expect it to take months to see improvement.
Try to keep your toes as dry and exposed to air as possible. Wear socks and shoes that don't retain moisture and allow for air exchange.
After handling your toes, wash your hands, and use a separate towel, because there is some risk of the fungus spreading.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr for the tips.
I will get my thyroid checked out too.
I will get my thyroid checked out too.
Brief Answer:
Your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome!
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome!
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
