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Hair Loss

Chilinily
Chilinily CSN Member Posts: 15
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am a 74 year old female, 4 months finished with low dose radiation around neck for HPV-OPC, no chemo or surgery.  Pet scan showed no further cancer.  For about the last month my scalp has become very itchy and my hair, normally quite thick, is falling out.  I went to my dermatologist who said she could see no cause for this.  Anyone else with this?  During the worst part of post-radiation throat pain, during Jan and Feb, I did lose 30 pounds and had some muscle wasting.  Anyone else with this hair trouble? Thanks

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  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 CSN Member Posts: 4,716 Member
    edited May 2017 #2
    Thyroid....

    Radiation affects the thyroid gland.  For some people it takes a while for the thyroid to start sputtering, and for some it begins taking it's last gasps right away (I was one of those).  Get a blood test to check your thyroid....you probably are needing a supplemental dose. 

    p

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