What Causes Loss Of Eyebrows And Bloating When Diagnosed With Hashimoto's Disease?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2016

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,

I have been lossing a lot of eyelashes recently and have been very bloated for over a year and a half. So far all the tests I did pointed out to hashimoto. Is it all related? What can I do. I have taken different medications for my bloating none of which worked.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your symptoms.

An under-active thyroid can result in loss of eyebrows but typically does not affect eyelashes. It can result in bloating though. However, this is only when the TSH is high suggesting inadequate treatment with levo-thyroxine. This is a medication used to treat 'hypothyroidism' due to Hashimoto's. Synthroid, which you are on is one brand name type of medication for levo-thyroxine.

So if your TSH and Free T4 are at goal, then other reasons for your symptoms need to be explored.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC
Electrolytes
Calcium
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (10 minutes later)

Thank you for the speedy anwser Dr. What was explained to me is that my thyroid is working just fine and that's exactly what my blood tests show. Due to hashimoto however my immune system is tampering with the fonctions of my thyroid. I haven't noticed any eyebrow loss just eyelashes. I used to have long eyelashes and now they are short and brittle and it has happened so quickly within no more than a month time. Do you think my medication is not effective or not strong enough I am taking the lowest dose possible. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
As I mentioned above, it is extremely unlikely your synthroid dose and your thyroid condition in general have anything to do with your eyelash problem, particularly if the laboratory tests results of your thyroid function are normal.
You should consult a dermatologist for an in-person examination if the issue persists.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 minutes later)

Understood, thank you. Could you kindly elaborate on the relation between bloating and hashimoto? Is there a treatment specifically for that?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
When a person has an untreated or inadequately treated under-active thyroid condition ('hypothyroidism') due to Hashimoto's, it can cause bloating. So the synthroid dose needs to be adjusted and target range must be achieved and maintained. If the bloating is truly from the thyroid problem, then getting the dose right should result in improvement in the bloating. If the bloating persists despite normal thyroid lab results, then other reasons for bloating needs to be considered

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (11 hours later)

Hello. What do you mean by normal thyroid lab results? Because the functionning of the thyroid has improved after two months on synthroid. My doctor told me though to keep taking it because of hashimoto as the thyroid antibodies are high.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Third follow up

Detailed Answer:
Normal thyroid lab results means that your TSH and Free T4 are in the target range as intended on treatment with synthroid. Typically this is a lifelong treatment

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar