Freaking Out Today

[UP Lisa]

Hi. This morning I put my hair up as usual. When I looked in the mirror at the sides and back to see if it looked okay I noticed a larger area behind one of my ears with no hair. I can't imagine why I never noticed it before. Maybe it's always been that way, and I just never noticed, but it is enough of a difference that I should have noticed.

It isn't anything that anyone else would notice, but now I'm wondering if it's something to do with the thyroid issues I've had, or the fact that I'm rather low on iron, or what. Has anyone else ever noticed anything like this? There has not been any itching, or soreness, or anything.

[mora]

It might not really be an area with no hair. I sometimes saw sparse spots and thought I was balding when I was trying to stretch washes. It always looked normal again, though, after washing.

[heidi w.]

Thyroid AND low iron?

maybe, maybe not. More than likely it's just the pattern your hair grows in and is normal, but you just never noticed it.

Having both a thyroid problem AND low iron means you have to be really careful about nutrition and specifically that you're getting enough protein to combat the low iron problem. Your doctor may have other things you may have to be aware of and keep an eye on.

Low iron otherwise known as anemia can in fact create a chronic increase in hair shedding.

Thyroid, as you likely know: there are 2 types of conditions, and both have an expression in the hair, in different ways. Even if a borderline condition, different doctors will treat the medicinally and others won't. So you may need a second opinion with a specialist in thyroid conditions. Usually, once identified and treated (and it can take some trial and error to find the right medication, particularly the right dosage and dosing schedule), things right themselves, and hair does grow back.

Same for anemia.

heidi w.

[UP Lisa]

Low iron and thyroid problems often go together. I'm not actually anemic, but do have low iron stores, which I am trying to raise. This can cause hair loss. I am being treated for hypothyroidism. Recently trying a natural thyroid hormone, since I still had symptoms after a couple of years on synthroid. I recently did notice a slight thinning of my ponytail (2 1/2" down from 3". Also lost hair on legs and outer edges of eyebrows.

Not sure what to think of this "behind the ear" thing. Need to look more closely. Sure hope it's not Alopecia Areata.