Literature DB >> 28217478

Diffuse scalp hair loss due to levothyroxine overdose.

Mahmood Dhahir Al-Mendalawi1.   

Abstract

Entities:  

Year:  2017        PMID: 28217478      PMCID: PMC5297276          DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.198769

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  Indian Dermatol Online J        ISSN: 2229-5178


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Sir, I read with interest the case report by Kumar et al. on the hypothyroid infant with diffuse scalp hair loss due to levothyroxine overdose.[1] Although the authors addressed a causal relationship between the occurrence of alopecia and starting levothyroxine therapy based on clinical and biochemical responses, I presume that they should consider the following point which might significantly add to the development of alopecia in the case in question. It is obvious that Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for maintaining human body homeostasis and it is one of the major constituents of hormones, signal molecules, and enzymes. On one hand, marked alterations in Zn homeostasis in persons with thyroid disease is well established. Plasma Zn was found to be lower in hypothyroid subjects and correlated with serum albumin. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell Zn and urinary Zn were also found to be low in such patients.[2] On the other hand, Zn was noticed to help recover appropriate activities of metalloenzymes, hedgehog signaling, and immunomodulation, all of which are required for the normal control of hair growth cycle.[3] Apart from the levothyroxine-associated alopecia, I presume that concomitant Zn deficiency ought to be additionally considered in hypothyroid patients with alopecia as such association has been rarely reported in the literature.[4]

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.
  4 in total

1.  Alterations in magnesium and zinc metabolism in thyroid disease.

Authors:  E Dolev; P A Deuster; B Solomon; U H Trostmann; L Wartofsky; K D Burman
Journal:  Metabolism       Date:  1988-01       Impact factor: 8.694

2.  Oral zinc therapy for zinc deficiency-related telogen effluvium.

Authors:  Tadashi Karashima; Daisuke Tsuruta; Takahiro Hamada; Fumitake Ono; Norito Ishii; Toshifumi Abe; Bungo Ohyama; Takekuni Nakama; Teruki Dainichi; Takashi Hashimoto
Journal:  Dermatol Ther       Date:  2012 Mar-Apr       Impact factor: 2.851

3.  Diffuse scalp hair loss due to levothyroxine overdose.

Authors:  K Jagadish Kumar; Malebennur Santhosh Kumar; Tummala Sujith Kumar; Abhishek Chavan
Journal:  Indian Dermatol Online J       Date:  2015-12

4.  Zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism: an overlooked cause of severe alopecia.

Authors:  Ambooken Betsy; Mp Binitha; S Sarita
Journal:  Int J Trichology       Date:  2013-01
  4 in total

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