Comment by Hollyberri on March 9, 2012 at 8:57pm

I can say there's a high correlation between people with alopecia being related to other people with other autoimmune disorders (hyper/hypothyroidism, type two diabetes, MS, etc.). Sounds like it could be both, but the good news is that it sounds like they've caught it before the thyroid actually failed.

At the end of it all, you're healthy, and if you're happy then it's all good. Keep us posted on what else you find out.

Comment by FANCY1024 on March 9, 2012 at 11:23pm

Hi Lindsay, I can't really answer your questions on the antibodies. However, I do know that it's not un-common to have more than one Auto-immune Disease. I have AA and low thyroid counts which I take medication for. When I found out about my low thyroid counts and started to take the medication, I thought my hair would stop falling out, but it didn’t. The endocrinologist said my thyroid counts weren’t low enough to cause my hair to fall out. However, I’ve talked to several other doctors and hair dressers who said they totally disagree with that statement. They indicated it didn’t matter if the counts were a little low or a lot low, it could cause my hair to fall out. So who knows! Anyway, i was then diagnosed with AA. Unfortunately, my hair is still sheading. I’m now getting another bald spot just above my ear. I've recently been having a lot of pain in my joints (especially my hands) and I asked the Dr what could be causing it. She said it could be quite a few things including an auto-immune disease but she needed to have diagnostic testing done to make a determination. I reminded her that I already have 2 auto-immune diseases and she responded “Well, lets see what other ones you have too”. That comment was very discouraging. Seems like I'm just waiting for other ones to take over. Anyway, I know it’s very painful to have hope and then have it crushed. I've been through it a couple of times. This is my second round with AA and losing my hair. Just keep your chin up and don’t give up hope. If you need to talk, please feel free to contact me. Hugs Di

Comment by Lindsay on March 15, 2012 at 2:52pm

Very kind guys,
yeah unfortunately I have high hopes that fixing this would bring my hair back, but since my levels are normal I fear it has nothing to do with it. Auto immune diseases are the worst. There seems to be so much guessing. It is so hard for me to believe that there is nothing t be done about them. Looking at all the amazing things they can do in medicine these days it just baffles me they cant fix something that seems as simple as making you body stop attacking one thing. I actually miss getting sick. Everyone around me has a cold and I am actually jealous. I haven't had as much as a sniffle since being diagnosed with aa.
It will be 3 years in May. *sigh*
Bright side is, that once this doesn't make my hair come back, I will be able to stop searching for answers and just accept it. The trying and failing I think it the hardest part about all this to get over.
<3

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