8 Telltale Signs of Hypothyroidism You Shouldn't Ignore: Real Clinical Photos Included
Doctor explains eight crucial clinical signs of hypothyroidism, including eczema craquelé, cold peripheries, carotenoderma, sparse hair, eyebrow loss, brittle nails, myxedema, and delayed wound healing. Learn more!
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Topic Breakdown
Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck, plays a crucial role in regulating your body's metabolism by producing the hormone thyroxine. When the thyroid becomes underactive, it produces insufficient amounts of thyroxine, leading to a variety of clinical signs and symptoms. In this blog post, we'll explore eight important clinical signs associated with hypothyroidism, supplemented by real clinical photos to help you better understand these signs.
Firstly, it’s important to note that hypothyroidism can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune diseases, inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis), iodine deficiency, and even side effects from certain medications. However, having one or two of these signs does not necessarily mean you have hypothyroidism. Always consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
1. **Eczema Craquelé (Asteatotic Eczema)**:
This form of dermatitis is characterized by a "crazy paving" appearance, with the surface of the skin splitting into fissures. It usually begins as dry skin and can become more severe, leading to deeper cracks and fissures due to water loss from the skin's surface. Eczema craquelé typically occurs in the winter months when the skin is more prone to dryness and is more common in the elderly. It can appear on any part of the body but is most often found on the lower legs, back, trunk, and arms. Management typically involves the use of emollients and topical steroids, along with treating the underlying hypothyroidism.
2. **Cold Peripheries with Pale and Dry, Coarse Skin**:
Individuals with hypothyroidism often experience cold extremities along with pale, dry, and coarse skin. This dryness is usually due to decreased sweating, although the exact mechanism linking thyroid function and sweat glands remains unclear.
3. **Yellowish Hue to the Skin (Carotenoderma)**:
Carotenoderma is a condition where the skin takes on a yellow-orange discoloration due to elevated levels of beta-carotene in the blood. This is not exclusive to hypothyroidism and can also be seen in conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. It's crucial not to confuse carotenoderma with jaundice, which can look quite similar but has different underlying causes.
4. **Sparse and Brittle Hair**:
One of the more noticeable signs of hypothyroidism is hair that becomes sparse, brittle, and prone to falling out in handfuls. You may also find that your hair feels drier and coarser than usual.
5. **Loss of Hair in the Outer Third of the Eyebrows**:
This specific sign is quite telling of hypothyroidism. The outer third of the eyebrows may become sparse or even completely absent. This is often a subtle change that can be easily overlooked but is significant in the context of hypothyroidism.
6. **Slow-Growing or Rigid and Brittle Nails**:
Hypothyroidism slows down every system in your body, including your skin, hair, and nails. As a result, your nails may grow more slowly and become rigid and brittle. Ridges can form on the nails due to the slowed cellular turnover, allowing keratin cells to build up before they have a chance to grow out.
7. **Myxedema**:
In severe or long-standing cases of hypothyroidism, you may notice swelling in the face, eyelids, legs, and feet. This condition, known as myxedema, is due to the deposition of mucopolysaccharides in the skin and other tissues, leading to a characteristic puffy appearance.
8. **Delayed Wound Healing**:
People with hypothyroidism often experience delayed wound healing. This is due to the overall slowing down of the body's metabolic processes, which affects the skin's ability to repair itself efficiently.
Other common symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, cold intolerance, low mood, and menstrual disturbances such as irregular or heavy periods. For more detailed information on these signs and symptoms, you can refer to the links provided in the description box of the video.
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