RE: Re: The Group & Hair Loss

[Guest guest]

Todd

I read in one of these posts that someone was loosing hair, that is why I

wrote about the thyroid. I am very new to this. I hope some of the peopls help

us

out here. I am taking meds for my thyroid. That is why I wrote about the hair

and throid. I had the T. problem before the Reiters. All I know is i was

loosing alot of hair and when they did blood work my levels were really messed

up.

I have been on Synthroid for years and that problem is taken care

of.Everything is a okay there. Thank for the info on that anyway. Sandy

[Guest guest]

Todd,

I was the one who had a question about hair loss. There is no problem with my

thyroid. It was simply the stress of a very bad illness 3 months ago, which is

where I got reiter's. For me, the symptoms were directly tied to the illness. I

have fairly average energy levels, and a good pulse rate (around 70). I haven't

actually seen an endocrinologist, but have had several thyroid tests at several

different docters-it's the first thing they want to check, though I've had it

done many times with the same result. Thanks though, I appreciate the advice, do

you think it's still worth seeing an endocrinologist? I'm just not sure it's

worth spending all that money to get teh same answer.

Esther

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/18/2003 11:58:29 PM Pacific Standard Time,

sane_stream@... writes:

Both low & high thyroid hormone levels can cause Reiter's-like

symptoms, i.e., aches & pains, depression,weakness,hair loss.

Todd, Excellent response! Great information! I was thinking the same but

didn't get it to the keyboard.

Adrienne suffers from hair loss... sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. She

used to have this really really thick head of hair... when she was in junior

high school. But it was falling out by the handfulls and... I was cleaning the

shower drain nearly weekly. Her rheumatologist ran a ton of tests and

wanted his friend an endocrinologist to take a look... she was in to see the

Endo

in a month. She has hypo Thyroid and is being treated for it.

Much of the time it helps. Usually when she is feeling fatigued, or losing

more hair, she can call, have some blood work done and some adjustments need to

be made.

So my suggestion for anyone with fatigue and hair loss... get in to see a

very reputable endocinologist. If the wait is a month, two months, or three...

make the appointment anyway. The time is going to pass... and a wonderful

doctor is worth the wait.

I say this in part because my oldest daughter saw an Endo in another

city...got right in to see him...he told her 'all is fine! " But she wasn't

feeling

" fine " ...send the lab results to Adrienne's Endo...who said... " she needs to be

seen " ... now Adriennes Sister flies in every few months to see Adrienne's

Endocrinologist.

K

Adrienne's Mom

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/19/2003 8:29:00 PM Pacific Standard Time,

auntie_ethel2002@... writes:

do you think it's still worth seeing an endocrinologist? I'm just not sure

it's worth spending all that money to get teh same answer.

Yes, but take the test results you have already had run... and just go in for

a consult. OR ask if you can send in the results and have the Endo look at

them...and sometimes... if they don't see anything, they will tell you... all

looks fine, you don't need to be seen. If the Endo sees a pattern or

concern... then you can take it from there.

Adrienne's Endo likes to see the tests prior to making an appointment. Then

if the tests don't look 'out of whack' there is no need to take up his time or

the patients.

Good luck!

K

[Guest guest]

Are problems with the endocrine something associated with RA?

Pat

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/20/2003 6:13:26 PM Pacific Standard Time,

ppawlacz@... writes:

Are problems with the endocrine something associated with RA?

I am not sure they are associated, but they don't seem to be uncommon to be a

part of the overall picture.

Adrienne's Rheumy who first ran her tests said that in his practice he was

surprised at the improvement of his arthritis patients when he had gone on a 4

month leave of absense and left his practice with his friend the

Endocrinologist. The patients who had complained of various things... were

feeling Better

when he returned than when he left. The Endo had ordered tests on many who

called in and found they had thyroid conditions. They were being treated and...

feeling better.

So when Adrienne voiced similar complaints, he was quick to order tests and

have the results sent to his friend.

K

Adrienne's Mom