Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness. But did you know it can also impact the skin, nails, and hair? In this video we’re going to take a closer look at these skin and nail manifestations, what they look like, why they happen, and how they’re treated. Dr O’Donovan covers the following skin signs that could suggest an over active thyroid gland:
- Pretibial myxedema – often seen in Graves disease. This condition most often affects the shins, leading to thickened, swollen, and waxy-looking patches that can be pink or purple in color
- Thyroid acropachy, a condition that involves clubbing of the fingers and toes along with swelling of the hands and feet
- Onycholysis, or “Plummer’s nails.” I
- Half-and-half nails, or Lindsay’s nails.
- Alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss.
- Pili annulati, or “ringed hair.”
- Urticaria, commonly known as hives.
- Jaundice is another, though less common, skin sign that can be seen in hyperthyroidism. In this case, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin) arises when the liver struggles to keep up with the increased metabolic demands caused by excessive thyroid hormone.
For more skin signs associated with common health conditions why not check out the other videos on my channel?
