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Thyroid and Hair Loss

You probably know, or can easily imagine, that people often lose excessive amounts of hair within months of severe illness, accident, or major surgery. This is one of the ways our bodies cope with stress. It only makes sense that the body would conserve energy on less vital functions (like skin, fingernail, and hair production) in order to be able to expend more energy on more vital functions (like healing and surviving).

You probably also know, or can easily imagine, that after the stress has passed, normal body function (like hair growth) is supposed to come back up to normal again.

But what if there was a condition where people’s bodies sometimes remain stuck in “conservation mode” and continue to have problems with hair loss and poor hair growth even after the stress has passed? As it turns out there is such a condition and it’s called Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome.

Success Story:

I’m on my second round of T3 and have finished my first week of holding for two weeks at 75 mcg per dose…I feel fanatically better!!! I have at least two inches hair growth when it hasn’t grown since more than five years ago. I have baby hair growth along my entire hair line and can see more standing up throughout the top of my head. I still am fighting acne from week to week, but far less than before. I have regular bowel function restored to my great relief!

Rhonda W.

The T3 that Rhonda mentioned above is a thyroid hormone. The connection between thyroid and hair loss is well known. When the thyroid system becomes unbalanced, either going high or low, hair loss can result. Female hormone imbalances can also result in hair loss. And under stress there can be big changes in the adrenal hormones. Thus, whenever the body is thrown into imbalance, hair loss can result.

When people are thrown into stress, their metabolisms can naturally slow down, with their temperatures dropping, helping them to conserve energy. Some people are better at slowing down and conserving energy under stress than others. The people that can slow down the best are logically better at surviving famine. People who survive famine tend to pass this trait to their children. The people who slow down more easily are also the ones that are more prone to get stuck that way. Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome tends to be more common in people whose ancestors survived famine (like Irish, American Indian, Scot, Welsh, Russian, Polish… people who are part Irish and part American Indian seem especially prone).

Wilsons Temperature Syndrome is more common in women. Women are more hormonally flexible and can more readily get stuck in a hormonal imbalance. Wilsons Temperature Syndrome is characterized by low temperatures and normal thyroid blood tests. The blood tests are normal but the stress is still there and is manifested by the persistently low temperature and symptoms.

Some people are able to gain their health back again by getting their own temperatures back up with diet, exercise, stress reduction, and rest .

Some people require a special thyroid protocol to get their temperatures up.

Success Story:

…My hair was thinning for about 6 months before it finally gave up and just fell out all together. I would lose four or five handfuls in the shower every morning. It would come out in clumps when I brushed my hair. I really noticed it when my part kept getting wider and wider. It was extremely stressful, especially since I had always prided myself on my thick, wavy hair. Once I cut it all off and started on the T3 therapy, plus the change to a high protein/low carb diet, it started growing like crazy. I covered up with bandanas for about 3 months (I had one to match every outfit! :o)) until my friends finally convinced me I looked fine. Once it started growing back, it came in thick. Really thick. And it’s growing pretty fast too. Less than a year after being totally bald, my hair was just reaching my shoulders. It’s so thick my friends are jealous.
…This really works.

–Beth (brushing hair out of face. ;op)

Low body temperatures are more than enough to explain hair loss and low body temperatures can often be corrected.

Understandably, people that have hair loss due to low temperatures are going to have difficulty growing back hair if their temperature is not restored to normal. If the problem’s not corrected, how can the symptom go away?

To be sure, recovery upon normalization of body temperature can sometimes be miraculous (just like when any problem is solved). However, we’re talking about balancing an imbalanced system. Can you see how balancing an imbalanced system can be a little unbalanced? Meaning, a system is not balanced until it’s balanced. In the meantime, it’s unbalanced. When systems are unbalanced hair loss can continue. Thus, people sometimes continue having trouble with their hair loss even while their temperatures are being normalized. Some people’s hair doesn’t start growing back until their temperatures are normal and they are off treatment for a while! This suggests that their systems were brought into balance and given a chance to settle down into a normal pattern of function.

The body temperature is probably the most important reading doctors rarely check!

If you feel you might need a physician’s help to get your temperatures up, you can check our list to see if there is a doctor near you. Or you can use the information on this website (such as our free eBook and free eManual and Guide and CD) to work with your own doctor.

If you have hair loss you owe it to yourself to start checking your body temperatures by clicking here: How to measure body temperatures. You can track your temperatures on our free temperature log which you can print.

You can also use the tabs at the top of this page to learn more.

And be sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter for success stories, news, encouragement, tips, and questions and answers.

About the Author:

Denis Wilson, MD described Wilson 's Temperature Syndrome in 1988 after observing people with symptoms of low thyroid and low body temperature, yet who had normal blood tests. He found that by normalizing their temperatures with T3 (without T4) their symptoms often remained improved even after the treatment was discontinued. He was the first doctor to use sustained-release T3.

85 Comments

  1. vimi.jacob June 23, 2013 at 2:05 am - Reply

    hello ,,I am 22 yrs girl,thyroid noticed when i was in 10th and i have take medicine also,hair loss started at same time .but,am very disappointed about my hairs.tried different type of Ayurvedic medicine,no use.I think hairs have lost its quality also.can u suggest something for me.because am that much tensed.Is it curative??
    am an Indian guy.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson July 3, 2013 at 2:34 pm - Reply

      Normalizing body temperature can sometimes make a big difference in hair re-growth. Some people with thinning hair will grow their hair back quite thick when the temperature is normalized. However, not everyone’s hair grows back as desired when they are treated with T3. It depends on each individual patient.

  2. mingle December 30, 2013 at 11:51 pm - Reply

    There is a famous doctor in nagpur(India) named as Dr. Mathurkar at Laxminagar area which is famous for treatment of thyroid.My cousin’s thyroid is totally gone bacause of him.

  3. Tracy March 29, 2014 at 8:01 am - Reply

    I just had 10mg T3 added to my synthroid 125 and it made my tsh levels skyrocket to hyper. I’m going to back off to just 5 but I was just wondering if there is a specific TSH number that you have noticed hair to grow back with?? I sure can’t seem to find one…

    • Dr. Denis Wilson April 4, 2014 at 11:10 am - Reply

      No Tracy, I don’t know of a specific TSH number associated with hair regrowth. However, I don’t see why adding T3 to synthroid would cause TSH to go up. Maybe you meant the TSH went down which some doctors view as a sign of hyperthyroidism.

  4. Veronica May 9, 2014 at 9:52 am - Reply

    Hello Dr. Wilson,

    I too tested normal with my thyroid. However my temperature in the mornings has been very low. For example my temperature for the past three mornings were 97.5 97.2 and 96.6. I have all the classic symptoms of a thyroid disorder. My hair started falling out suddenly 5 months ago and I have lost more than half of it. (By the way I’m a 21 year old girl). I need sleep all of the time and I’m always cold not wanting the air conditioner to ever cut on while others are burning hot. I’m also depressed. My life used to be completely different. I’m actually on the way to a doctor who does think I have a thyroid problem and wants to help me. ( all other doctors just think I have telogen effluvium) I hope this doctor can help me the way you helped your patients because I really suspect this to be a thyroid problem and not just a hair loss problem.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson May 14, 2014 at 7:56 am - Reply

      Good luck to you!

  5. Veronica May 20, 2014 at 11:08 am - Reply

    Hello Dr. Wilson I just wanted to update you.

    The doctor I went to that day tested all my thyroid levels and they all came back normal.
    Free T4: 1.52
    Free T3: 3.7
    TSH: 0.595

    But I still have all the symptoms including low temperature and rapid hair loss. I also have family history of thyroid problems and I have Irish and Welsh and Scottish ancestors that survived famine.

    I feel helpless as nobody will help me and I just want to be a healthy 21 year old girl with no worries.

  6. Hair Transplant in Lahore June 3, 2014 at 12:57 am - Reply

    Dear,
    Stress and unbalanced diet is also cause of hair loss in spite of thyroid.

  7. Diane June 8, 2014 at 2:56 pm - Reply

    Hello Dr. Wilson, I have many symptoms of low thyroid: low body temp, which averages 97.7 or below upon waking or pm, low energy, trouble losing weight and weight gain, depression, but worst of ALL is hair loss around my hair line–up to 4 inches, eyebrows (no hair at all) , eyelashes (sparse to none), and (this I won’t complain about) arms and legs where I used to be a shave a day lady and now NO HAIR at all. I Feel worse upon rising in AM and if I have any swelling in digits is after a night’s sleep. I am 68 yrs. old and have been patted on the head for years since menopause and told everything is normal. Last TSH, T3, T4 readings were “normal” but I am not feeling normal, healthy. In my late 50’s I was vibrant, going strong with full time work and a 20 hr/wk volunteer work plus going to University to beef up my career. After menopause, the hair loss became very noticeable. I do take some great recommended like selenium, iodine, bit D and so many more supplements, but this hair loss is virtually ignored even by my natural path MD. He says, well, you may loose it all and can you live with that? Ugh. I know there is a solution I hate feeling this way but worse the hair loss! If I go to my natural pathic MD and tell him I need this or that and give him some credible references, he WILL listen to me. Can you help?

  8. Ratnesh Raj June 12, 2014 at 7:48 pm - Reply

    hello sir from far 1 year i am having the problem of excessive hair loss of entire body parts especially head also i do have problems such as weight gain depressions fatigue memory loss loss in concentration e.t.c this finds me highly depressed that sometimes it develops within me a strong suicidal tendency so i deeply request to help me over come this problem thank you

    • Dr. Denis Wilson June 18, 2014 at 4:28 am - Reply

      The only help I can offer you is the information on the web site. I can offer the information that a low temperature can contribute to such symptoms and that they can often be corrected with proper treatment. If you are suicidal I encourage you to contact a doctor, a hospital, or law enforcement officers that can help you through your crisis so that you can keep looking for the help and answers you need to feel better. Best wishes

  9. Sheila June 25, 2014 at 9:35 am - Reply

    Hi Dr Wilson,

    I unfortunately was on too much armour…and now have telogen effluvium from that period of hyperthyroidism.

    I stopped 3 months ago (I had other symptoms as well)…

    So my question is… Will my TE be short lived? Or will I have to endure the 3-6 month hair fall?
    What are your thoughts?

    Thank you. With much respect.

    Sheila

    • Dr. Denis Wilson July 2, 2014 at 6:17 am - Reply

      Hi Sheila, I would say that will be difficult to predict. However, I do feel that your hair will tend to remain and grow when your temperature is 98.6. If your temperature is averaging low, that could contribute to persistent hair problems.

  10. Aykut June 28, 2014 at 2:35 am - Reply

    Hello Dr. Wilson.

    I have been suffering from Low Thyroid and Low Metabolism symptoms since three years. It is all started right after a emotional trauma..
    I used to have very very thick and dense hair.. In 3 years i have lost %75 of my hair. It is very hard for a 24 years old young man..

    I have very low body temp 35.4C

    But the thing is i can’t find any SRT3 in my country(Turkey).
    I have tried pure Cytomel 12.5mcg twice a day. It didn’t work…

    How can i find a SRT3? Need your help please…

    Sincerely.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson July 2, 2014 at 5:56 am - Reply

      Unfortunately, I don’t know how you can find T3 in your country. I would recommend calling pharmacists and ask them if they know anyone that “compounds” medicine. Compounding is where the pharmacist makes the medication.

  11. JoAnne July 19, 2014 at 10:18 am - Reply

    Had TT June 9, Synthroid 125 daily after that. Have lost piles of hair. Most distressing. I am 56. Current bloodwork TSH 0.15 T4 free 28. Seeing endocrinologist Weds for first time since surgery, she’s been very non caring caring re hair loss. I’m desperate for any info re hair recovery. Thank you.

  12. Vix August 5, 2014 at 7:45 am - Reply

    Hi, I have suffered from unexplained hairloss for nearly 2 years now. I was put on levothyroxine 150mg when I was taking quetapine (apparently it affected my thyroid, but I never saw the results). I was on this for 1 year. When I stopped taking quetiapine, I went to an endocrinologist who said I should stop taking it. My results at this time (Dec 2012) when on levothyroxine were FT4 15.3 pmol/L and TSH 1.70 mu/L. So i stopped taking the levothyroxine and 2 months later I completely blocked the bath with my hair – I had a shock when the plumber kept pulling all this hair out. It was a bag full. I have been losing my hair steadily ever since. Not only am I losing hair but the hair itself is completely dry. I have been to a dermatologist and he cannot explain the hair loss or the condition of the hair itself. He did some thyroid tests in April 2013 and the results were FT4 14.8 pmol/L and TSH 0.86 mu/L. In April 2014 my doctor did them again FT4 15.9 pmol/L and TSH 0.88 mu/L. My scalp is also very itchy/sore. I hope to hear from you.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson August 12, 2014 at 7:44 am - Reply

      I do know that low body temperature can explain hair loss and dry hair, even if TSH is normal or even if TSH is on the low side. Low body temperatures can often be reversed with T3 only therapy.

  13. BP September 9, 2014 at 7:08 am - Reply

    Hi Dr Wilson

    I have suffered hair loss for a few years now and my hair looks quite thin although no bald patches. I’m a 33 years old female of Asian descent. My mother also has thin hair but due to thyroid issues. I regularly get a blood test to make sure that I don’t inherit this condition and the thyroid tests always came back negative. Recently I’ve had a full hormones blood work done, and again, all are normal.

    However, I seem to constantly have a very high body/skin temperature to the point that my partner can’t lie too close to me but I am always feeling cold that I need a jumper or a blanket even on a normal day.

    Is this still the same thing as what you are talking about?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson September 14, 2014 at 8:17 pm - Reply

      One way to tell is for you to take your body temperature and see if it’s low or normal. If it’s low then that might explain some of your symptoms.

  14. Christine September 24, 2014 at 9:09 am - Reply

    I have had low temp problems (97.4 degrees) for > 15 years. I’m currently working with a naturopath who has me on a compounded t3 only med. I have been on it for 6 months now but have still not seen any improvement in my hair. Being I have had hair loss for so long is it possible the hair follicles will not recover?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson September 29, 2014 at 5:51 am - Reply

      I suppose that’s possible, depending on what is causing the hair loss. It’s also possible that the hair follicles will recover but the exact problem hasn’t yet been resolved.

  15. arika September 26, 2014 at 10:29 am - Reply

    hello doctor i am an 18 year old girl. since end of december of 2013 i started experiencing sudden increase in shedding. within march it increased greatly and i went to a dermatologist who was useless. after that i have been to nearly 76 dermatologists but all was in vain. my hairloss skyrocketed to large amounts by may and june and now also i loose about 100 after shower.my thyroid was tetted in march and tsh level was at 4.74 which was slightly higher than the range of 0.27 to 4.20. i was put on 25 mcg of thyroxine and within 2 months my tsh level came down to 1.59 and i stopped the eltroxin alltogether. yet now although my hairloss is a little less than before but still falls alot and front is very thin. hairs are just stuck in the ends and they come out when i pull them.

  16. andreea October 3, 2014 at 12:34 pm - Reply

    Hi! I’m 26 year old, girl and in the past 5 years I have experienced symptoms fluctuating from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid (i believe). Weight changes are around +/- 5kg therefore from 59 kg to maximum 64 kg. I have periods when I am more active, need less sleep, even when I try sleeping it’s just taking a long time to actually fall asleep. And on the contrary period when I feel very tired and sleepy. I don’t take any thyroid medicine, only multivitamins and trying to relax and do sports. I am not a big fan of drugs in general therefore I would prefer to do everything in power to help myself on a more natural, simple basis. Recently I am experiencing a lot of hair loss and started doing a little bit of research. I haven’t seen a endocrinologist doctor but I think it’s just the time to do it. Do you have any advise?

  17. Jessica November 20, 2014 at 5:07 pm - Reply

    My name is Jessica, I am 19 y/o. I have hypothyroidism and i am taking 100 MCG Levothyroxine and I have been taking this since 2008.. my hair has been thinning and the top of my head is getting “balder”. I have been struggling with finding ways to treat it and i don’t feel comfortable with my hair and nothing works!
    I have mentioned this with my old doctor but she said that it’s my thyroid.
    I have a few questions:
    What is this T3? I might be reading this wrong but i do not understand anything.
    Is this a solution to my hair loss?
    if not, is there any solution?
    or should I consult with my doctor about my medicine??

    • Dr. Denis Wilson November 24, 2014 at 3:20 am - Reply

      Hi Jessica :)
      Levothyroxine is T4. T4 is a raw material that the body turns into T3, which is the active thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine only provides a normal temperature when the T4 is adequately converted to T3. People with low temperatures can have hair loss. Correcting their low temperatures can sometimes restore their normal hair growth. Your doctor may not be familiar with T3 therapy. In which case, you can educate your doctor or you can visit a doctor listed on wilsonssyndrome.com. The doctors we know that are treating WTS are listed here:
      http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/patients/medical-providers/
      If there is not a doctor near you, just know that most of the doctors that are treating WTS heard about it through their patients:
      http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/patients/recruiting-a-doctor/
      If you find an open-minded physician, I’d be happy to talk with him/her personally on the phone for free to help them get started (doctor can call 800 420 5801 to make arrangements)

  18. Gordan December 30, 2014 at 3:12 pm - Reply

    Hello..i am 26 years old male, my TSH is 5.34, always minimum above 5, my T3 and T4 are normal but i have been fighting with hair loss for over 8 years now, nobody in my family is bald, my hair is so thin and its falling of like crazy, i also have anxioty and depression, dry face skin on the nose region and cheeks. When i went to endocrinologist here in Europe he said that this TSH is to low to make some impact on your hair loss and my thyroid on ultrasound looks normal and healthy, what do you think? Regards

    • Dr. Denis Wilson January 2, 2015 at 2:31 pm - Reply

      I think a low body temperature can sometimes explain hair loss and skin problems even when the thyroid blood tests are normal.

  19. gulden January 3, 2015 at 7:25 am - Reply

    Hi AYKUT ,T3 medications name in Turkey, TIROMEL (Cytomel ) in USA.
    I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU TO FIND IT
    Before take this medications please see your doctor, he or she can do blood test for T4. and T3 .
    Please check your Vitamin D level to. I have the same problem you do.
    My email is neseli1@ yahoo.com .

  20. marla wagster January 7, 2015 at 8:18 pm - Reply

    Hi Dr Wilson I have been on the diet pill adipex for about eight months now one thirty day break while taking it I’m just wondering if this pill can make my hair fall out I was 309 lbs in now I’m down to 227 doing great there but my hair is my everything what can I do please???

    • Dr. Denis Wilson January 12, 2015 at 5:35 am - Reply

      Hi Marla, I’m not sure about hair loss being a direct side effect of Adipex. However, I do know that Weight loss can often result in Low body temperatures which can contribute to hair loss. Fasting is one of the things that can decrease the conversion of T4 to T3 and result in low body temperatures. Sometimes low body temperatures can be corrected with T3 therapy.

  21. Badal jain January 10, 2015 at 8:44 am - Reply

    Hello sir,
    I am badal jain from india. I am 25 years old . And my hair was so thin before six months and from 2 to 4 months I am observing that my hairs is falling to much and giving baldness from some where not only this some time my hairs looking healthy and some time i see that baldness from somewhere.
    So do you what is the reson behind that and can we recover or regrow our hairs which was lost between the duration of 2 to 3 months?

  22. Lindsey January 21, 2015 at 6:22 am - Reply

    Hi Dr Wilson,
    I came across your website a week ago and decided to keep track of my temps with a Geratherm thermometer. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid a year ago, and started out on ndt, which was awesome for the two months but slowly all my symptoms came back. It has been 10 months now, and I am on 3/4 of a grain of naturethroid. My ft3 keeps fluctuating from 2.9 to 4.3 and I’m on the same dose. My average temp is 97.8 and my hands and feet are always cold and my hairloss is horrible. I never feel great like I did those first two months. I am going next week to my functional medicine dr to get my results for my ft3 and rt3. Does it sound like t3 only would benefit me??

  23. bhavnish January 21, 2015 at 1:30 pm - Reply

    Hello sir,
    I am a 28 yrs male from india. I have been experiencing hair thinning since many years with high body temperatures. I also had a thyroid check which came as normal. My body stays hot in cold weather also does this temperature also contribute to hair problems. Please help and suggest a better treatment.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson January 25, 2015 at 7:25 pm - Reply

      Hi Bhavnish,
      I have seen that low temperatures can contribute to thinning hair, and I’ve seen that some people can have low temperatures on the thermometer even though they feel hot all the time. If your temperatures are low they can often improve with diet, exercise, nutrition, and thyroid hormone therapy. If your temperatures run high, you may have some kind of chronic infection. It’s conceivable that high temperatures can cause thinning of the hair as well.

  24. Pradeep February 6, 2015 at 11:06 am - Reply

    Hello Sir, i am 27 years old male. My TSH is 2.93, and free t4 & t3 are well within the normal range. At present daily I am taking eltroxine 75 MCG & meconerv plus . I am eating too much foods,milk & fruits. After this also there is no increase in the weight. But, I want to put on weight. I always feels lack of energy after working for two hours. Could you please suggest me , how to put weight.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson February 8, 2015 at 8:13 pm - Reply

      You might try incorporating more nuts and oils into your diet.

  25. rosa A February 24, 2015 at 7:20 am - Reply

    My thyroid TSH came back at 4.74 but my doctor said it is perfectly fine & i do not need any medication. .. I have many symptoms heavy periods. Hair loss. plus many others :'(

    • Dr. Denis Wilson March 1, 2015 at 5:51 am - Reply

      Hi Rosa, I think most doctors would consider that a treatably high TSH. A low temperature would be a good indication that you may not have enough thyroid activity and could explain the symptoms you’re having. Even if people with normal TSH may benefit from normalization of body temperature.

  26. raviteja February 24, 2015 at 6:32 pm - Reply

    Dr.wilson my mother have thyroid which is hyper thyroid and when I checked my thyroid levels it showed that I have also hyper thyroid. Am using 25 mcg tablets what my question is recently I got typhoid and it was cured after that I tonsured my head after tonsuring am feeling that I have losed some amount of hair and hair loss is it will be regained and how can I reduced my hair loss give reply sir?

  27. lina March 13, 2015 at 10:18 pm - Reply

    Dear Dr. Wilson,

    I am 35 years old, suddenly my hair starts to fall like crazy, I have become almost bald, I had hot flashes once stays for two days with feeling hot and my face turns totally red. Any advice?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson March 15, 2015 at 6:20 am - Reply

      I would recommend that you check your temperature. It might not explain everything you’re experiencing, but it could explain a lot. Best, Dr. Wilson

  28. Kim April 19, 2015 at 10:01 pm - Reply

    Dr Wilson,

    I just stumbled across this site. I started to write out my history, but I decided that I did not want to bore you.

    So the short of it I have no body hair, eye brows almost gone, almost no eye lashes, hair very thin, fatigue, concentration, brain fog, weight gain, depression and sleep problems.

    10 years ago I was put on 110 levrothyoxine, and it did help. I still had issues but I did feel better.

    Then 6 years ago a HMO was going to made a typo and changed the dosage to 100 from the 110. Things just got worse.

    I have had a low body temperature since the early 1970’s. I was told that this was normal for some people.

    What I need to know is the right questions to ask my new primary care?

    I just want to feel well, even if my hair never grows back

    • Dr. Denis Wilson April 26, 2015 at 7:38 pm - Reply

      You could ask your PCP, “Have you ever read the book, “Evidence-based Approach to Restoring Thyroid Health” by Denis Wilson, MD? It has over 800 scientific references and it sounds like it might be my problem, would you be willing to work with me on it?”

  29. irfan shah April 28, 2015 at 9:20 pm - Reply

    hi dr wilson,
    my t3 is low,tsh is 4 and t4 is normal….i m hypothyroid patient….taking 25 mcg levothyroxine from 16 april 2015,my hair is falling too much from last 4 months….can i take cytomel t3 with my levo??

    • Dr. Denis Wilson May 3, 2015 at 6:58 pm - Reply

      Though I can’t give you specific medical advice in your case, I can say that a lot of people take T3 and T4 together. A lot of people take T3 alone.
      The important thing is for doctors to manage patients in such a way as to normalize their body temperatures. Best :)

  30. mahsa April 29, 2015 at 12:51 pm - Reply

    hi. i discovered that i have hypothyroid. my TSH was 8.7 . then i started taking levothyroxin 50mg every day. after 3months my TSH was 1.5. but my Dr said i need to take medicine just 5days a week and again after 3months my TSH was 4.9!!! my T# and T4 were in normal range but in maximom! now i take levothyroxin 6days . and i have hair loss !!!! and im col even in summer!!! i lost weight in this 6months but i have hair loss still and its the worst effect of this disease. my Dr isnt open to T3 therapy! and im in Iran and I cant meet online your doctors. but i have decided to try T3 therapy.!! how much should i take?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson May 3, 2015 at 6:59 pm - Reply

      I’m sorry but I can’t offer medical advice over the internet but I am happy to consult with your doctors about your case for free. They can call us at 802 262 6100 in the USA to make the arrangements. Best :)

  31. Gigi May 28, 2015 at 11:59 pm - Reply

    Wow! My new ND just told me about your protocol at my first visit today and I looked up your website and I REALLY hope this will work for me; but how to I do this when I’m already taking T3? In Nov I was on Armour but felt bad; found I had high Reverse T3, so began T3 and quickly raised to 50 mcg with daily average temps staying in mid-97s and low 98’s; occasionally reached 98.6. In mid-Feb, I actually felt my Reverse T3 clear and got up to 75 mcg T3 in an effort to raise my temps; now have been at 75 mcg for 3 months and temps now in mid-98’s but fluctuate. What should I do next? Keep at 75 mcg and just keep tracking temps? Go up or down on T3 dose to see what my temps are? I also have genetic polymorphisms for poor detox and vitamin absorption (COMT, MTHFR, VDR, etc).

    I have a long history of bad Hashimoto’s; diagnosed at age 28 after suffering major symptoms (myxedema, extreme fatigue, no brain energy) for several years prior, and then had Synthroid/T4 treatment for 25 years. Finally tried Armour but a LOT of hair fell out; it sort-of grew back in with iron supplementing but then iron went too high and previous doctor said I should not take any more iron. So even tho’ I went up to 50 mcg T3, my hair fell out AGAIN! And it’s still bad. HOPING the WTS protocol will work for me even with all my horrible years of antibodies TPo and TgAb, now reduced to near zero due to being gluten-free for a couple years. Can anybody recover from so many years of thyroid attacks and undertreatment in their mid-50s?

    Thank you for persevering in the face of so much opposition from ATA — they certainly are not helpful to Hashi sufferers! ~ Gigi

    • Dr. Denis Wilson June 2, 2015 at 5:09 am - Reply

      Hi Gigi :) I can’t give specific medical advice over the internet but would be glad to discuss your case with your ND for free. Yes, thyroid health can often be regained even after decades of difficulty.

  32. Pamela June 27, 2015 at 8:37 pm - Reply

    Hello Dr. Wilson, I had the right half of my thyroid removed in 2012. I started taking spirolactone in 2013 for severe cystic acne and the synthroid in 2014 0.1 MG. This year, I started taking T3. When I started taking the synthroid, I started having excessive hair loss like FPB. When I started taking the T3 (10 mcg per day) my hair line started to grow back in. I also had some hair to regrow. Now my hair growth is at a stand still. In some places, I have some scarring. I also had a biopsy. The dermatologist told me to use Rogaine for women 5% and doxycycline for imflammation. My last labs in May 2015 were t4 -1.1,T3- 1.4 and TSH- 0.86. My hair growth is stagnant. I have also started to have severe sweating from the neck up and red hot ears. However, I’m not hot just sweaty even in very cold temperatures. My PCP says my labs are fine so no need to change meds. I no longer have hair loss but no real growth in the crown, hairline, etc. However, every where else, my hair has grown to shoulder length. I’m so confused.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson June 29, 2015 at 2:57 pm - Reply

      Sometimes, normalizing a person’s body temperature can help their hair growth. The idea is not just taking thyroid medicine to normalize blood tests, but to normalize body temperature. However, even when temps are normalized, some patients still have trouble.

  33. Swathi July 13, 2015 at 7:36 am - Reply

    Hi dr Denis …i have a tsh level of 4.74 is that comes to thyroid??

    • Dr. Denis Wilson July 19, 2015 at 8:18 pm - Reply

      That may account for low body temperatures, for sure.

  34. Lucy July 20, 2015 at 8:18 pm - Reply

    I’m thinking of getting my thyroid removed. I’ve had it for just about 10 years now, I have a few questions
    1. Would my hair grow back?
    2. Would I feel natural again ?
    3. Would I loss weight?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson July 27, 2015 at 5:43 am - Reply

      Hi Lucy, I don’t believe getting your thyroid removed would help you in any of your 3 objectives. I would encourage you to focus on getting your body temperature up to normal. That might help all 3.

  35. subhashree August 10, 2015 at 5:59 am - Reply

    Hi doctor, m a 18 year girl having hypothyroid and taking thyroxine of 125mcg… my hair has started falling..n I see it reducing everyday..i need ur help

    • Dr. Denis Wilson August 20, 2015 at 8:47 am - Reply

      The information on Wilsonssyndrome.com will help you know how to obtain the help you need. You can go to the Doctors tab and look for a doctor near you. A low temperature can contribute to hair loss. Best wishes.

  36. Lauren August 20, 2015 at 8:14 am - Reply

    I’ve had hypothyroidism for over a decade and have been on levathyroxine ever since. My doctors never mentioned my levels being off, they did increase my dose from 50 – 75 mcg levathyroxine a few years back. However, as I read through these comments, I’m always cold and have a lower body temperature. In my charts even though i’m in the normal range i’ve noticed that the levels fluctuate up and down every blood test.

    I noticed that my hair was thin in May 2015 and noticed its been falling out ever since, continuing to thin. I’m also on a birth control pill that I just started in September of 2014. I’ve done research and read that birth control high in androgen can cause hair loss (i’m on the highest one). But I’ve also read that it can interact with thyroid medication which can cause hair loss.

    I’m trying to find the cause of my hair loss so I can stop it. Any thoughts?

    Thanks in advance ( its been an emotional summer :\ )

  37. Abhi September 19, 2015 at 7:20 am - Reply

    Hello Dr. wilson
    I am 22 year old boy. My hairs are continuously falling from hair line and not growing back again…
    I went for thyroid level test. TSH level is 6.60 which is more than normal…plz suggest me something so that i can get back my lost hairs…

    • Dr. Denis Wilson September 20, 2015 at 7:43 pm - Reply

      Hi Abhi!

      Considering your TSH is high, I would recommend that you go to a doctor to make sure your body is getting an adequate supply of thyroid hormone. Good luck.

  38. Nida October 22, 2015 at 10:36 pm - Reply

    Hello Doctor,
    I often get confused about hyper and hypothyroidism. My TSH level fluctuates a LOT. It was 10.7 last week. And my body weight in 52kg (I am 25yrs old). My doctor suggested me a change in dose. I was taking 75mcg of thyronorm earlier. I now take 88mcg. But even after I changed my dose, my hair loss is like crazy. I lose bunches every single time I brush/shower. How am I to confirm if the dose is correct? She just used my weight to calculate the dose. Does that work? My TSH levels aren’t a factor? What do I do to get my hair back?

    • Dr. Denis Wilson November 10, 2015 at 4:25 pm - Reply

      Hi Nida :)
      Blood tests can’t measure if the thyroid medicine is working correctly for you because thyroid blood tests don’t measure body temperature. The whole purpose of thyroid medicine is to give you a normal temperature, or metabolic rate. Lots of people taking T4 to the satisfaction of blood tests still have low temperatures and all of the symptoms. Many people that get their temperatures to normal do notice decreased hair loss. It’s possible that your temp is lower now that you increased the T4 because T4 can down-regulate the deiodinase enzyme.

  39. Nida November 11, 2015 at 7:57 pm - Reply

    Doctor, Is there a way you can be consulted? Or will you please give me advises on how to measure my body temp./how to make it normal if its lower. Should the dose be altered for a body temperature change?

  40. Mary Ann keller February 3, 2016 at 5:43 am - Reply

    Do you have a list of Doctors who practice your theory of T3 therapy for low body temperatures. I live in the west central part of Ohio.

  41. Mahesh February 4, 2016 at 5:26 am - Reply

    Hi,

    I am 21 years old, Past 6 months back i am suffering from hyperthyroidism, doctor suggested to me that to take radioactive iodine, after taking radioactive iodine.. It is converted to hyper to hypo.. My T3,T4 is normal, but TSH is too high 86.9.. Now my hair is falling rapidly.. Please suggest..

    • Dr. Denis Wilson February 7, 2016 at 4:04 pm - Reply

      Hi Mahesh :), I suggest that you see a doctor, perhaps on our list, that may be able to help you get your TSH and temperatures normal. Best wishes

  42. Meg March 15, 2016 at 5:48 pm - Reply

    I’m on Armour Thyroid 90MG. That is where I feel really well. My body temp drops daily. Usually somewhere in the 96.0 range, but it has been as low as 95.4. My hair is getting thinner and thinner. I don’t know what to do? I searched the doctor list, but there isn’t one in my state. Should I decrease my thyroid meds and try iodine? It’s frustrating to say the least.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson April 10, 2016 at 3:51 pm - Reply

      I can’t provide medical advice over the Internet but I can say that on the website you can find a link in the drop down lists called “How to recruit a doctor” that will give you some ideas on how to obtain medical treatment. If you can find the doctor, we can help them know how to help you.

  43. Rose Romana June 10, 2016 at 5:06 am - Reply

    Hlw sir,its very frustrating that i am suffering a major hairloss problem because of thyroid.but i am on my treatment. But still my hair is falling out.my forhead is getting bigger day by day..pls give me some advice

    • Jen Palmer June 27, 2016 at 10:45 am - Reply

      Hello,

      I apologize that I can’t give health advice over the internet. I would recommend looking for a practitioner who can treat Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome, and possibly sustained release T3 may help, if your current medication is not working. Here is a link to get you started: http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/identify/how-are-body-temperatures-measured/

      Best of luck!

  44. Arline vanhorn September 5, 2016 at 12:16 pm - Reply

    Hi, my body temp runs around 98 is that considered low…I also just got results back from Dr on my blood work for hypothyroidism, I was on 100 mcg and she wants me to take a half pill of synthyroid 2 time a month, could this cause my excessive hair loss? ??

  45. Worried Woman March 13, 2021 at 4:56 am - Reply

    Question: does taking nature throid cause hair loss? I have only tried it once for a little over a month and i lost half my hair. after that I said no way am i going to go bald so i quit taking the medication. My tsh was at one time 11.25 but not sure what it is now. Now i am starting to have worse problems such as extreme fluid retention all over and hyper mixed with hypo. I was diagnosed with hashis and then found out i have celiac. i just took my temp and it is at 97.4. some nights i am freezing cold and some nights i burn up with night sweats while sleeping. i am almost 60 and this is absurd. i am female. i am so bloated with water retention that its getting hard to walk. i am not gaining weight i am just water retained. i also have chronic insomnia, constipation and cant go poop without biscodyl. i am 116 lbs and bloated from water retention. i just had a compounding pharmacy make me up a generic of nature throid without the fillers im allergic to. is the new stuff going to cause me to lose my hair again or what? what can i do to get rid of the water retention. this is very uncomfortable. I am beginning to think i have a estrogen dominance problem that might be causing it also. No provider close to me where I live. too far away.

    • Dr. Denis Wilson April 4, 2021 at 3:52 pm - Reply

      Sometimes thyroid medicine can cause hair regrowth and sometimes hair loss. It seems that the key factor is keeping a normal and steady body temperature. If the temp is normal and steady the hair often regrows. If the temperature gets unsteady then people can lose some hair. Naturethroid has T4 and T3 but the T3 is instant release and can contribute to unsteady T3 levels. The celiac disease might be contributing to your autoimmune picture with Hashimoto’s. You can consider Fastercise as a lifestyle approach to strengthen your mitochondria as well as herbs to support your immune system and body temperature, and possibly sustained-release T3 therapy.

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