A bunch of symptoms?

Hey everyone...
First off, just to be clear, I’m not a hypochondriac.....

Look, I feel like my body is just falling apart. I don't want to go to a doctor only to have them dismiss me as being crazy, so if anyone knows if these things are connected, maybe it would help me out...

I've been under massive stress since I was 15. About six months after a particularly rough patch, my hair started falling out (it used to be incredibly thick before that😢). I didn't see a doctor back then because I figured it was normal for hair density to fluctuate occasionally...

Around that same time, I started getting these little patches on my arms—spots of really dry skin that were slightly darker than the rest. Again, I avoided the doctor, and after a while, they cleared up and haven't come back...

After that, about a week or two before my period (which I only realized later), I’d get this pain under one or both armpits, accompanied by painful lumps when touched. It hurt so much I could feel it even with my arms resting at my sides... I asked a doctor once, but she checked my armpits and told me it was probably just irritation from shaving and that I should be more careful with my razor☕....

In the meantime, at my mom's suggestion, I had my bloodwork done (trying to see if there was any connection to being a vegetarian😬) and everything came back perfect....

As my hair continued to get worse—becoming dry and losing about half its volume despite all my efforts with different shampoos and treatments... I finally went to a dermatologist. She did a trichogram, which showed new hair growth (that was three years ago and I still haven't seen any actual thickening) and referred me to an endocrinologist.....

It turns out my TSH levels were high, but everything else was within the normal range. I also had a thyroid ultrasound, which was fine too. After a while, I stopped going for follow-ups....

Around that time, I collapsed in a grocery store (this happened to me as a kid too; they thought my blood sugar was dropping and told me I needed to eat breakfast), so they sent me for an EEG. The results showed accelerated electrogenesis... I was supposed to do a sleep study (maybe a CT?) as well, but I couldn't make it, so I dropped that too....

About a year or two ago, I started dealing with constant sinus issues, and it just keeps going and going ....
.................
My question is: if anyone has gone through something similar, could any of this be related? Honestly, the hair is what's bothering me most. I just want my old hair back, but I have no idea how or why it's gone...😢 I mean, I'm not bald, but compared to how it used to be, it's definitely twice as thin.

Regarding your hair, I noticed you don't eat meat, so I’m guessing you might not be getting enough protein. You need those amino acids to break down properly to fuel growth—hair included—so that could definitely be part of the issue.

Collapsing right there in the middle of the grocery store just seems like a clear sign that your diet is off, likely combined with a lack of sleep, which only ramps up your stress levels...

Between the stress and everything else I mentioned, your immune system is probably run down, which lets pathogens take over and leads to those sinus issues...

It all just seems to connect logically. 😁

Sounds alright, but I actually stopped eating meat quite a while back, right around when my hair started thinning out... I’m on protein supplements and vitamins, plus I eat pretty clean—plenty of fruits, veggies, and green tea🙄. I don't smoke either, and I only drink occasionally, nothing crazy🙂.
My bloodwork has always been fine, and honestly, since going vegetarian, it's actually improved...

But look, if you actually happen to be right about this... is there any way I can check for myself? Ideally without having to drag myself to a doctor, because I really hate dealing with hospitals...

Let’s be clear: dietary supplements aren't a substitute for actual healthy eating. 😁

You should probably pick up a sport or start exercising more regularly...

That being said, you have to keep in mind that hair loss might just be down to genetics...

Rogaine works well for regrowth, but the catch is that it only stays effective as long as you keep using it...

How old are you now?

There isn't really a specific test for that; you just have to learn to recognize whether your body is under stress or not.

By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of protein supplements do you usually buy? Just curious.

Harold Booth68 said:Regarding hair, I notice you don't eat meat, so I'm guessing you might not be getting enough protein. Since protein breaks down into the amino acids necessary for growth (among other things), that could be the issue.

Honestly, that doesn't make any sense.
If that were true, I’d be totally bald myself since I don't eat meat, while my friend—who eats just about everything—has a thick mane.
It really works the opposite way.😬

Hair loss and thinning can be triggered by all sorts of hormones, not just thyroid issues, so it might be worth seeing an endocrinologist. It's hard to find a solution without running some actual tests.
An EEG result is almost never perfect, and some people are just naturally prone to fainting. Of course, you should make sure to eat breakfast, and generally try to make up for what you aren't getting from meat by eating other high-quality foods.

Stress plays a huge role in hair loss too.

Staying active is great for both your body and your mind.👍

I think you might be worrying a little too much.😉

(I used to be the exact same way when I was younger, constantly counting every single strand that fell out)😂).

Harold Booth68 said:Let’s be clear, dietary supplements aren't a substitute for actual healthy eating 😁

Fair enough, I agree... though I don't think a "healthy diet" has to revolve around meat 😬

When I mentioned supplements, I was thinking more along the lines of spirulina and stuff like that—which has plenty of protein (if I recall correctly)... but I'm not vegan, so I eat dairy, and I used to eat eggs (until recently😬). Plus, I eat a lot of beans and soy... so I really shouldn't be running low on nutrients...

I actually considered getting some whey protein, but since I'm not really active, I decided against it... (Does working out have any impact on hair? If so, I'm hitting the gym this fall!)

I think I have some Rogaine at home, assuming my mom didn't toss it... a dermatologist recommended it to me back when I had a checkup. But once I read on the bottle that hair might shed before it grows back, I totally panicked. Honestly, I think that's why I haven't gone back for another appointment

I'm 22

Amy Kelly said:I think you’re just being a bit of a hypochondriac.😉

(I was the same way back in my younger days, constantly counting every single hair I lost😂).

I knew this would end up happening eventually, but I didn't actually expect it to go this far😂

And honestly, I wouldn't care so much about the hair on my brush or the floor if I didn't look in the mirror and realize there aren't enough new hairs growing in to replace what's falling out like they normally should...😢

Sarah Nelson said:Hi there...
First off, I want to make it clear that I’m not a hypochondriac...

It turns out my TSH levels were elevated, though everything else was within the normal range. I also had a thyroid ultrasound, which came back fine. After a while, I just stopped going in for follow-up exams...
...

Do you have hypothyroidism? Are you taking Synthroid?
Because if you aren't, those symptoms are only going to get worse.
This isn't something to take lightly. You really should check your TSH again and see an endocrinologist to get a prescription. Most of what you're describing sounds like classic hypothyroidism—especially the issues with your skin and hair.

ironsurfer8 said:You have hypothyroidism—are you actually taking your Levothyroxine?
Because if you aren't, things are just going to keep getting worse.
This isn't something to mess around with. Go back, check your TSH levels again, and find an endocrinologist who can get you on the right medication. Most of what you're describing sounds like textbook hypo symptoms, especially the issues with your skin and hair.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. 👍

Sarah Nelson, you mentioned your TSH is elevated. What was the actual number, and did you bother testing your T3 and T4 levels? An ultrasound of the thyroid isn't enough; it doesn't tell the whole story. Those skin and hair issues you’re dealing with could very well be tied to thyroid disease, which is easily manageable once you have the right meds. You can even get dizzy from thyroid imbalances. My advice? Get your TSH, T3, and T4 checked immediately.

Honestly, the specific T3 and T4 levels aren't even the main concern here. When dealing with hypothyroidism, TSH is the real indicator. As soon as those TSH levels climb, it’s a clear sign the body isn't getting enough thyroid hormone. Most doctors—especially when a patient is presenting with actual symptoms—will prescribe hormone replacement therapy regardless of whether the T4 stays within the "normal" range or if an ultrasound looks fine. For someone this young, you can't ignore it; a deficiency impacts everything from cognitive focus and development to immune health.