[snelsen]

#1062822

Hmm. No. But I THINK there are convesations about this subject in the archives. Probably someone else will chime in with more precise information.
shirley

[katadams5]

#1018126

I have very long hair that is now very thin with a few bald spots that i am learning to cover ~ is there anything that you can suggest to help with this? supplements? shampoos?
I feel as though i need to take out stock in liquid drano, because i am putting it in my drains so often now.
i would really appreciate any input you have on this!
thank you!!!

[Bobbi]

#1062823

First off, every plumber that has come to my house in recent years has warned me not to use Drano type products. So, you might want to purchase one of those plastic hair "traps" that fit over shower drains.

Hair is not considered "essential" by the body. That statement comes from my dermatologist. Hair is one of the first things to lose nutrients when we are ill, and one of the last things to regain "health" once we are well again. So. While you are in the throes of this metabolic disaster called Graves, you need to be very tender with your hair. Use gentle shampoos. Don’t tease it, or overly brush it, or use any harsh chemicals on it. There were times when my hair was falling out in clumps, like the fur on my collies. But once my thyroid levels were regulated properly everything returned — eventually — to normal.

[Ewenme]

#1062824

Just so you know you’re not alone, will add that I went through a period of weeks (last Aug/Sept) where my hair was coming out in impressive quantities. No bald spots, just a brush full of hair every time I brushed it. My endo said it was due to ‘fluctuating hormone levels." At the time, my labs showed that I was hypo (have been on ATD’s since last March). It did return to normal after a few weeks. You didn’t say when you had your last blood test for TSH, etc, but if you haven’t brought this to your endo’s attention, you might want to give him/her a call and express your concerns.

[Ski]

#1062825

Sorry to jump in here so late ~ I just wanted to make one more point. Resources are removed from the hair even when we are going through a dosage change. So, your levels may be "okay," but if you’re in the process of fine-tuning your dose, you can experience a brief period of hair loss after you change a dose. I don’t hear many people complaining of hair loss like yours (bald spots, etc.), and I wouldn’t guess loss that severe would occur just by changing a dose a little bit, but I wanted to point it out for those who may be visiting and reading for their own info. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[erica]

#1062826

I am now out of remission and have been losing my way more than I did the first run with GD. Going tomorrow, yay, for blood work. I have checked out all the hair remedies, including hair restoration. I looked into minoxidil, but it only works of you have a certain pattern of baldness, not like mine. So far I have found nothing, but the clip in extensions. They are less damaging than ones that are glued or sewn in, because you can just unclip them to sleep, etc. I feel very self-conscious about my hair loss, I shed more than my two dogs, however if one did not see me ‘before” they wouldn’t know, yet…my biggest fear is that it won’t grow back or I will lose a crazy amount of it. it is getting really really thin, and i can just pull it out by running my fingers through it. I would like to put my hair up in a pony, but can’t because the bald spots would be seen. I just remind myself that, hey I have hair, unlike a cancer patient. Then I feel very lucky.

[mamabear]

#1062827

Erica I am sorry that you are loosing your hair. It stinks! There are many different ways to think about it and ways to deal with it.
I have a thread that you can go to to help…but I also want to add that you might want to get a hair cap for night time. Get a satin one, the cheap satin ones at walmart are just fine. Also a satin/sateen pillow case can help as well.
I have used one for myself and for my dd4 who has very very thin fine hair that loves to tangle. The hair cap works well for her.
Graves’ Disease Tips and Tricks for hair/skin and mental health

Please remember to be gentle to your hair.
Also this might be a time to help lift your spirits and get a nice cut.
Also, have you gone to a hair stylist yet? They might have some information for you about thinning hair, just because it’s temporary doesn’t mean you can’t have a good cut to cover it up for the time being.

I know you want to put it in a ponytail but this might not be good for you right now, and yes it stinks and again I’m sorry… the stylist might have some tricks and styles that will look nice AND they might have a good cut that you would be able to use so that you can use a pony tail.

I have very long hair, I have cut it myself for 15 years. It’s long and one length. I use to have 3 ft of hair but now its probably only 2ft. I’m 37 and if I were to start thinning out again, AFTER I went through my poor me phase…because I know I would have one, I’d probably go with something very fun and short!
I had very very very short hair when I was 20, it was quite fun, I have a good face for it even though I’m much older now.

I have to look at things in a positive way, I have 4 kids and a good husband and we have been through a lot.

Good luck and keep us posted. If you wish, please PM me. I’d be happy to help out.
I haven’t updated that thread in several months so I’ll look at it a bit later and see if it needs to be updated. I like to do that in case I change my mind about a tip I have given or have fuond out new info!

” title=”Smile” />

[erica]

#1062828

thanks mamabear ” title=”Smile” /> yes, I was going through a poor me phase when I wrote that, they come and go. Sometimes I will style my hair and think how ridiculous that I am even complain! But other times when I am cleaning and find so much of my hair, see old pics of it, or my Husband comments that it is in the food ” title=”Sad” /> it gets me down. I will read the link thanks! I will buy a satin pillow case tomorrow and don’t know what a cap is, but I will check it out! As for short hair, never ” title=”Wink” /> my Husband and I both like it long. My mom is coming to visit me in a few weeks so I will get it highlighted and look for clip ins with her, I can’t wait!

I was in remission for a long time, but now can feel I am out. Went to the docotr last wed, but didn’t realize she wanted me to fast, so I couldn’t get my blood taken, booo. But, tonight I will fast and give my blood tomorrow morning, really looking forward to getting back on the PTU, that worked for me in the past. I wonder if my hair will grow back, that would be great. hmmm, well I will be ok if it doesnt.

[mamabear]

#1062829

Your hair will grow back! Be sure to read the thread BEFORE mom does your hair. The reason I say this is because we have a natural shed of hair some more so than others even without the GD coming into play. Also it being long will look like so much more than there really is. Example: I have 2 feet of hair from forehead to the end, if one of those hairs is on the floor is looks like a few strands and some would swear it is if they didn’t know it came from someone who had 2 ft. When my hair was 3 ft it looked like there was even more hair! lol

I am not saying that you are not looking your, I am saying that you have to add that on top of our natural cycle and tell mom about it so that she knows to treat your hair kindly AND to help her determine how many strands of hair to highlight since there are so many coming out. The highlighting itself might damage your head of hair even further so talk with her first before actually doing it. If she is a stylist she will know what to do IF she should do it at all, if she isn’t at least she will know what your hair is going through before she makes that decision to touch it. Maybe just a dusting cut(that is when it’s just the very very ends of the hair that is taken off, basically it’s the split parts and no one would know you had any trimming at all).

When you go to the store, look where the brushes are, you will see shower caps(probably on the bottom shelf), there should be something there called a bed cap, hair bonnet, satin bedtime cap.. can be called anyone of those or something else but related to it.
It looks like a shower cap but it’s not plastic.

They should only be a few dollars. (walmart, walgreens, target)

Good luck with your blood test today

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