Bipolar Disorder Support Group

I don't take lithium, but I do have severe hypothyroidism. Bad news on that front.
It can cause the hair loss,
lower your metabolism, weight gain, depression and a whole lot of other crap.

GOOD NEWS: Once they get you on the proper level of synthroid, and your TSH/T4 levels under control the symptoms should abate and reverse.

Good luck, hun.

my hair is slowing falling out and i'm on depakote.. my thyroid levels are normal...

I've been on Lithium 10 yrs and I haven't had the hairloss to that extent.Not in clumps.
It is listed as a possible side effect.
So are a lot of other things which I didn't get to such levels.It may be that you are overmedicated ?
I'd ask the docs.

Hmmm. Was on lithium for years before going off it & developed hypothyroidism too..hair thinned, for a time..but the meds are amazing & everything went back to normal..love those thyroid meds- hope it works out for you too xxx

I'm on lithium and I've noticed a lot more hair loss but I think it's all over.

My understanding it's reversible either by switching from lithium or taking over meds.

“Toxic Alopecia” is the medical term for hair loss (sometimes called
“Medication-induced alopecia”) caused by physical or psychological
stress, and occurs in 12-19% of long-term lithium users. The actual
cause of hair loss in a person taking lithium is hypothyroidism,
secondary to the lithium regimen.
Low levels of thyroid hormone are to
blame for the hair loss.
Read more about hypothyroidism here:
http://health.discovery.com/diseas...

“Some drugs--including chemotherapy drugs, blood pressure drugs,
Lithium, valproate, oral contraceptives, vitamin A, and retinoids--can
also cause the condition” According to Merck, the hair may fall out at
the beginning of a drug therapy, or up to 3-4 months later.
It is
usually a passing condition, and the hair does regrow.
Merck. Occasionally the hair can change color and even texture while
taking lithium.
Also, it is around 20% of those on Lithium that are affected in this way.

So....stressing about the stress can cause it too !!
I hope Mickey Mouse's ears grow back soon

Look2sky...Thank you for all that information & the reference.Ha ha! I hope his ears grow back to. Minney might not find him yummy anymore and stray. Oh my Lord...I see a broken heart in the midst! : )