Has anyone else had hair loss after radiation/ hypothyroidism?

Welcome to Fluther! I have hypothyroidism and it’s been under control for 20 something years. Until 2017 when I got sick with MRSA related double pneumonia and MRSA in my spine, sepsis and a long list of weird illnesses all in a few days time. I got over all of it but in about 3 months I noticed my hair falling out in handfuls. I had my thyroid checked and it was totally whacked out possibly from the stress of the illness. Anyway, I got on a lower dose of meds and started talking to people, especially to people on here. Many people really pushed essential oils (EO). So I started using a couple drops of Rosemary and Peppermint EO’s everytime I shampooed. I also used shampoo and conditioner with Rosemary and other EO’s. I can’t vouch for what did it, but my hair has grown back thicker than it ever was and curly. My hair was always broom stick straight. It is now just past my shoulders in 2 years time.
I know how awful this is. I almost died and took that in stride. When I lost my hair, I cried everyday.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

@chyna gave you some good advice with the Rosemary & Peppermint EO’s. I added Tea Tree EO to my shampoo every other week because the Tea Tree seemed less effective in conjunction with the Rosemary & Peppermint. The Tea Tree seemed to help calm my scalp even better than the other 2. My hair is growing so fast now that I’m getting a hair cut every 4 weeks now & I’m back to having luscious, thick hair once again!!! It has gotten so thick that my hairdresser wants to know what I’m doing so he can start a line of the stuff. I’ll’ never tell him opting to tell people how to do it for themselves without being ripped off by somebody else!!!

BTW…WELCOME to Fluther!!!

I got diagnosed with head/neck cancer last year and did a few months of daily radiation and weekly chemo.

And yeah, that is a bit of a trip the first time you scratch your head and notice some hair came out. It goes from zero to handfuls fast.

But it does grow back. Mine started coming back around 6 months after the treatment ended.

And yes. The kids in in radiology and the infusion room are the worst part. My sister used to drive me to radiation and chemo and would hang out in the lobby and I think it was more difficult for her seeing the kids, than it was for me, the person actually getting radiation.

My mom had radiation and lost her hair. It grew back curly and salt n pepper.

We got together quite a collection of hats, wigs and stocking caps which mom used. The loss of her taste buds was scarier, she lost a lot of weight fast.

Thank you so much @chyna. I appreciate your advice sooo much. And @LadyMarissa as well. I’m sorry to hear all of your stories and hope all is better. @johnpowell and @KNOWITALL thanks. I needed this information, truly. I’m completely bald. I felt disheartened and dehumanized as a woman. I will get those products if I can afford them. And I appreciate the welcomes. Thank you.

@CoffeeT Mom felt the same, it’s tough, so sorry. And if you get mouth blisters keep drinking lots of ensure to stay strong. Mom was weak as a kitten so make sure you have help ready. Like trash and generalcleaning, you need to rest. Best wishes!

From what @KNOWITALL wrote it sounds like losing your hair after the radiation is normal. Also remember that being overactive or under active thyroid causes hair loss too! It’s so frustrating. One of the symptoms I hate the most is the hair loss. So, until you get your medication amount perfect you might still have thinner hair as it grows in, or it might come in exactly how it was. Just know if it seems thin, that once you adjust your medication (that can take months) it will continue to affect your hair growth.

@CoffeeT The Essential Oils are not that expensive & you don’t need to buy them all at the same time. A small bottle of Rosemary cost around $5–6 & will last you close to a year. The Peppermint is like $3–4 & lasts close to a year. The Tea Tree is like $6–7 & also lasts up to a year. You’ll add 1 or 2 drops to your regular shampoo & only do 1 wash & rinse per each shampoo, so the EO’s last a long time!!!

The good part will be when the hair starts to grow back, it is NEW hair & a lot prettier than it was before & you will appreciate it more.