Peach fuzz vs hirsutism in hypothyroid?

[arcticslug]

Hi, I seem to have something more like 'peach fuzz' on my face rather than actual stiff beard hairs (hirsutism) on my face. I do have a few, but I feel the main problem is more of the colourless peach fuzz all over my cheeks, upper lip and some on my neck too. I have been reading that hypothyroidism is associated with this type of hair growth! I also read that treatment with medication can reverse the problem.

Anyways, just wondering what people's experiences are with excess hair growth and how it may have changed after treatment with thyroid medication?


Brazzelli, V., Prestinari, F., Barbagallo, T., Bellani, E., Calcaterra, V., Larizza, D., et al. (2005). Acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis due to autoimmune thyroiditis: Therapeutic response to thyroxine replacement. Pediatric Dermatology, 22(5), 447-449.

ABSTRACT: Thyroid diseases may be associated with a wide variety of dermatologic disorders. We report a 15-year-old girl with acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis associated with hypothyroidism resulting from autoimmune thyroiditis. Her skin lesions progressively resolved after 8 months of replacement therapy with L-thyroxine. This result supports the hypothesis that hypothyroidism in our patient can be directly related to the pathogenesis of acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis.

[LaBigGirl]

Arcticslug, the fine hair you describe on your face sounds like normal "vellus" hair that all people have in different amounts. I never heard that people with hypothyroidism end up with more vellus, I always thought it just ran in families (having more/less fuzz).

I found this definition of vellus on dermatology.about.com:

Definition: Vellus hair is the fine, non-pigmented hair (peach fuzz) that covers the body of children and adults. The growth of vellus hair is not affected by hormones, whereas the growth of terminal hair is affected by hormones.

I have this fuzz too, but also a few assorted hairs on my face (maybe totaling 10) that are dark and whisker-y. These are from hair follicles that changed probably from hormonal reasons from vellus hair and now produce the terminal hair type. I am very vigilant in plucking those hairs, they are so obvious.

[Hezzer]

Yes, peach fuzz type hair is normal. I've noticed that on close-ups in movies of even the prettiest actresses, you can see the really fine hairs.

My issues are really long blonde hairs that grow on my underchin area. They can get up to 1/2 inch long at times. Most are soft, but a few are very course and have been that way for a few years now.

The dark course hairs only number about 15 and I pluck them when I see them start to grow in.

The blonde hairs are frustrating because I'd really like to have laser to remove them, but I've been told that they're too light for it to work.

The blonde hairs started in 2002, and some of them were nearly and inch long. I started shaving my underchin to get rid of them. Now that I'm on BCP's, flutamide, and metformin, I've noticed that they don't seem to get any longer than 1/4 to 1/2 inch, so I just leave them and pluck the dark ones every few weeks.

It was the hair growth accompanied by scalp hair loss in 2002 that got me to a doctor and resulted in my PCOS diagnosis. That was actually the same time that my TSH came in at 16.

I went undiagnosed, though, because - long story short - my endocrinologist referred to the wrong blood work results and told me that my thyroid was fine. They suggested my fatigue and falling asleep by 6 or 7 o'clock each night was from depression.

I was finally diagnosed two summers ago in 2007 when I went to a random PA for strep throat and he went over all my symptoms and ordered bloodwork. Six months ago, my current doctor requested copies of my records from the endocrinologist and discovered why I went five years untreated.

I've been on meds for the hypothyroidism for two years, and I haven't noticed any different with the peach fuzz or whiskery type hairs on my chin.

[arcticslug]

Hmm. I'm a little discouraged to hear that taking thyroid meds didn't help your facial hair, Hezzer. Here are the before and after photos of study patient before and after treatment for hypothyroid:

Before:


After:

Figure 2. Remission of acquired hypertrichosis and follicular plugging in the dorsal region after 7 months to 8 months of thyroxine treatment.

In the study, the authors wrote that "Within 7 to 8 months, her acquired ichthyosis and hypertrichosis progressively resolved, with extremely rewarding results for our young patient". ('hypertrichosis'=excess hair; 'ichthyosis'=thick, scaly skin)

I have noticed that I have extremely thick calluses on my feet and body that I am constantly needing to scrub off with pumice stones, exfoliating scrubs, and alpha-and beta hydroxy acids. I am wondering if this strange combination of problems is related to my thyroid? Anyways, I want to get my thyroid checked ASAP. Will have to wait awhile to see a doctor though.

If anyone else wants to share their experiences about hair/skin changes and thyroid medication I would really love to hear them!

[Hezzer]

Here are the before and after photos of study patient before and after treatment for hypothyroid:

I'd like to see the pictures, but they're not displaying.

I have noticed that I have extremely thick calluses on my feet and body that I am constantly needing to scrub off with pumice stones, exfoliating scrubs, and alpha-and beta hydroxy acids. I am wondering if this strange combination of problems is related to my thyroid?

Hmmm. I've never experienced anything like that. I soak and pumice my feet every other week, to keep them baby smooth. I've never had any significant calluses on my feet, though, or anywhere else.

You may want to start a post on the thyroid board specifically asking about the calluses and see if anyone else encounters that problem.

[vinaria]

I also have hypothyroid withour excess androgens. Despite that my body is covered in.. hairs.

[arcticslug]

I'd like to see the pictures, but they're not displaying.

Can you see them now?

Before:


After:

[arcticslug]

I also have hypothyroid withour excess androgens. Despite that my body is covered in.. hairs.

Thanks for your response Vinaria. Has being on medication changed the situation at all?

[vinaria]

Unfortunately NOOO

[miss62]

Hi There,
I've been talking about my peach fuzz hair on my face for couple of months now.
I just got my lab results and my TSH levels has changed form 1.87 to 2.98 over the last 4 months so as my vellus hair.
I thought it wass my androgensbut I see there has been no chasnge in my dheas or T levels infact they are still low.
I've been searching for this since I can't call it hirsutism its only my vellus hair on my face and my arms and everywhere else that is getting longer anda shade darker .
I know everyone has vellus hair on the face but I've recently noticed they are getting longer.can it be thyroid?
is there any other article regarding peach-fuzz and hypothyroids