Hi,

Sorry it took so long to respond.

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism that I experienced other than my hair turning grey were:

Brittle hair (even if I used a leave in conditioner)
Mood swings
Depression
Peeling finger nails
Dry Skin
Low body temperature (I'd sleep with three or four blankets and still be freezing)
Hot flashes (I'd always wear layers because every few hours in between being freezing cold I'd start sweating and burning up)
Lack of energy
Dizziness
Forgetfulness and general confusion
Weak immune system
Menstrual problems. The first time they tested my thryoid (when I was 18), it was because I stopped having my period. I had it three times in one year, and each time it lasted over a month. I'd get cramps all the time. I'm sure the women reading this can understand that I would get extremely moody when my period was going on for a month. It wasn't a good time.

Probably the worst one was the drowsiness. I'd get so tired at work or school that I'd leave early and take a nap the second I got home. I'd sleep for four or five hours and still sleep fine at night. Some days I'd sleep for 12-14 hours and still be dead tired.


I still get the symptoms here and there when my levels are out of whack. I guess it's my own fault they're not completely under control. Two of the things I'm not supposed to have are soy and spinach...but I love to eat spinach pies and Gardenburgers (which are made of soy).

I highly doubt my grey hairs will never turn brown again, so I'll just have to deal with them. My doctor told me a few days ago to make sure I take a multivitamin every day--that should stop more from changing to grey, as well as increasing my dosage of thryoid pills.


About the hair dye question--I always use permanent dye. The first few times I dyed my hair it didn't do anything to the greys--even the dyes that say they should cover grey.

I've had the best luck with Clairol products. Herbal Essences or Nice and Easy usually work. They cover the grey--as long as I leave the dye in for 10-15 minutes more than the recommended time. They'd make the grey look like highlights, so it was something I could deal with.

My major problem was that in 2-3 weeks, although the rest of my hair would stay colored, the greys would start re-appearing. I guess I have very stubborn hair...the hair dye just wouldn't stick to them.


If any of you have questions you can e-mail me at kerrichu@yahoo.com...or you can check out the New England Thyroid Yahoo Group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/New_England_Thyroid_Groups/)..that I'm part of. The people on there are very nice and can direct you to a number of helpful sites.

I haven't experienced all of the symptoms of thyroid disease, especially since I have an underactive thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism--overactive thyroid gland--has a completely different set of symptoms.

It's not very fun, but at least it's not something that could potentially kill me, so I guess I'm lucky.

~Kerri

You won't believe this!

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Today I noticed that my ten (almost eleven year old in March) year old son had a large patch of grey hair in the middle of his head! His sister has hypothyroidism, but he was recently tested last summer as being okay. Could it be stress/ Should I cut it out? Will it just grow back grey? Ahhh!!! I need advice. Is this like the youngest that anyone has ever heard of?

Re: thyroid problems and gray hair

quote:

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Originally posted by AnonymousI was just wondering if anyone with gray hair also has thyroid problems? I have read thyroid problems can be related to premature graying. I think my gray may be linked to thyroid but I can't find a way to prove it.

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premature greying

Hi,
I'm 23 but noticed my first greys around the age of 15, now I have a lot so I die my hair on a regular basis . Tomorrow I'm going for bloodwork to test my thyroid, among other things, and I was just wondering if anyone knows any sites that examine the thyroid/grey hair connection. Thanks!

Hi greygirl,
Just read your posting:

"I'm 23 but noticed my first greys around the age of 15, now I have a lot so I die my hair on a regular basis "

I wondered when you first started dyeing your hair, and whether you went for all-over coverage at first or high-/low-lighting? My son's 15 and has been getting white hairs since age 13 (his natural colour's mid-brown), we're going to start using dye since we haven't uncovered any medical problems. It'd be good to know what you found successful, and whether it got many comments from your schoolmates at the time when you started to dye it. I guess we thought possibly lowlighting would be a good way forward, and perhaps less obvious than full coverage. Would appreciate hearing about your experience - thanks!
Jane

re: thyroid problems ?

Who else on the site is having thyroid problems these days? Anyone gone through them? Which form was it?
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thyroid problems

i heard that it is pretty common in girls

Hi.. im pretty young aswell, 16 infact, and i have noticed some grey hair on my head.. Anyone else out there in thet same predicament? Thanks