Falling out hair can become serious

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 20, 2006

Dear Dr. Gott: I have a problem with my hair falling out. It is getting really thin on top. I take Armour Thyroid and have been on this since the mid-1980s. I just had lab work done, and my TSH result is 0.071. The normal is 0.350 to 5.500. Should I be on some other meds? When I asked my doctor about my hair getting thin, he looked at it and told me it was OK, that I still had plenty of hair, but when I can see my scalp all over the top of my head, it isn't OK. I am 65 years old but see a doctor only once a year.

Dear Reader: An overabundance of thyroid hormone, either in pill form or as a separate event, can lead to hair loss. Thus, I disagree with your doctor. Your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, a thyroid stimulant arising from your pituitary gland, is exceedingly low. This indicates that you are receiving too much Armour Thyroid - much too much, to the point that your hair may come out in clumps.

To reverse this situation, you need to work closely with a doctor. I didn't say YOUR doctor because, in my opinion, he has missed the boat. Anyone who ignores a low TSH level should be spanked .

In my opinion, your doctor should have immediately reduced the dosage of your thyroid supplement to at least 50 percent of your current dosage. A TSH report four to six weeks later would be vital in fine-tuning your system further .

Dear Dr. Gott: I want to comment on your column about using a bar of soap in the bed to help ward off leg cramps. I am a firm believer that if one works, two is much better. What I failed to take into consideration was that I am a 70-year-old bed-wetter. When I awoke the next morning, I found myself in a sea of tiny bubbles.

Dear Reader: I urge you to wear an adult diaper, and I suggest you see a urologist for further testing and advice. No one should have to wake up in a sea of bubbles.

Dr. Gott can be reached c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th floor, New York, NY 10016.

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