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Sjogrens Topics => Living With Sjogren's => Topic started by: MusicGuy on February 25, 2009, 10:19:54 AM

Title: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: MusicGuy on February 25, 2009, 10:19:54 AM
A few weeks ago, I noticed that the hair on both calves is gone.  I think i may have lost some on my thighs too, but it is not anywhere as noticiable as it is on the calves. My family doctor checked it out, mainly for circulation and said i'm good.  He also noted that I have hair on the top of my foot, leaving him perplexed.  I'm going to the rheumotologist tomorrrow for an appointment.

i'm 48, taking plaquenil since July, and was put on high dose of Vitamin D (again).  My head hair seems fine.

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this before.  Some folks claim it's just older age and my pants rubbing the legs.  i'm not sure I'm buying that one.


Thanks,
Dave
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: Scottietottie on February 25, 2009, 05:22:03 PM
Hi Dave  :)

I can't remember what meds you're on but steroids can do funny things to body hair. The other thing that can do funny things to body hair is thyroid imbalance.

So saying - my hubby definitely lacks calf hair. His calves rub on his trousers - simple as. It's not a new phenomenon (?) though.

Take care - Scottie  :)
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: Epson on February 25, 2009, 06:36:06 PM
Dave,

Doctors always check the pulse in my legs when they see that my calves are bold on the outside of my legs and it always checks out as good.  For some strange reason the hair stopped growing in that area and this was long before taking any of the meds I'm on now.
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: irish on February 25, 2009, 09:09:57 PM
You may want to see an endocrinologist to have the thyroid checked out. There are other glands that can have malfunction and cause hair growth. Just a thought. Sometimes just having an autoimmune disease can make our body out of whack but I don't blame you for wanting to know if there is something up. Good luck. Irish ;D
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: Chico on February 25, 2009, 10:28:21 PM
I want your side effect!  Much better than losing head hair.

Chico
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: MusicGuy on February 26, 2009, 05:10:36 AM
Many thanks for your replies.  I forgot to mention that I went off prednisone in early December.  i'm not sure when I lost the hair, if it was sudden or gradual.  I am seeing an endochrinologist because I had half of my thryroid removed because of a tumor and very small trace of cancer.  my blood work for thyroid has always been good, confirmed by 3 docs.  I do take a low dose of synthroid

i'm off to the rheumy now...... will let you know what he thinks. 

Thanks,

Dave
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: JJ on February 26, 2009, 07:14:13 AM
My daughter had her whole thyroid removed and I take Levothroid...I'm thinking meds..but

men are different than women...my daughter and I still complain about

shaving our legs...ohhhhh how we complain! Good luck with your rheumy!

JJ
Title: Re: Hair loss on my calves
Post by: MusicGuy on February 26, 2009, 09:30:17 AM
just got back from the doc.  he's not sure what it is, but thinks it's growing back.  so..... we'll just play this one out and see how things develop.  i've got the endo doc appt. in a few weeks. 

Thanks all!
Dave