20 Ways Hypothyroidism Affects Your Hair, Skin and Nails
Are you constantly lathering on lotion?
Is your hair thinning and coarse?
Are your finger nails pale or brittle?
Hypothyroidism may not be the first thing to come to mind, but you should know that it is a common cause of hair, skin and nail problems. Learn what your hair loss, brittle nails, and bad skin are trying to tell you.
Here are 20 ways hypothyroidism affects your hair, skin and nails:
1. Premature baldness
2. Diffuse hair loss
3. Fine, thin, straight, coarse, dry hair
4. Thinning or loss of outside third of eyebrows
5. Hair loss on lower legs, arms, armpits
6. Loss of eyelashes
7. Eczema
8. Psoriasis
9. Dry skin
10. Acne
11. Puffiness above or below the eyes
12. Wrinkles on face and hands
13. Yellowish or amber skin
14. Pale or yellowish nails
15. Brittle or ridged nails
16. Striated or thickened nails
17. Nails peel or break easily
18. Soft nails due to associated iron deficiency
19. Ingrown toenails
20. Fungal infections in nail beds
Why does this happen?
Hypothyroidism decreases circulation which causes your body to send blood to its most vital organs like the brain. All the energy and resources your body can spare are being funneled to the most necessary organs for sheer survival. Meanwhile, other organs and extremities are literally left out in the cold. As a result, blood flow to your body’s extremities is decreased, resulting in hair loss or dry and brittle hair and nails.
Solution: Treat the Underlying Cause
If you are experiencing hair loss, brittle nails or dry skin, your first step should be a thorough evaluation of your thyroid function. Hair, skin and nail problems that are caused by hypothyroidism can be reversed by treating hypothyroidism. We recommend treating with a desiccated thyroid preparation that is identical to the thyroid hormones made by your body. It contains both T3, the active thyroid hormone, and T4, the inactive thyroid hormone, along with nutrients from the thyroid gland.
Do you have hypothyroidism?
Take our symptom checker quiz to find out if hypothyroidism could be the cause of your hair, skin and nail problems. Remember, even if you have been told by your doctor that your blood work is “normal,” you could still have hypothyroidism since the TSH lab test fails most patients. Learn why your doctor misses the hypothyroidism diagnosis.
Related Content:
6 Reasons Low Thyroid Goes Undiagnosed
Why Thyroid Lab Tests Are Not Accurate
4 Ways to Diagnose Hypothyroidism
Hotze Team
Dear Jenny,
If you are still having symptoms of low thyroid function, then it’s possible that you are still not on the right dose for you. You would need to work with your doctor on getting to the right dose where you don’t have symptoms anymore. Our doctors slowly increase the dose of desiccated thyroid until all symptoms resolve.
Please take our symptom checker quiz to find out if you still have many symptoms of hypothyroidism: http://makeshift-worm.flywheelsites.com/symptom-checker/
If we can be of service to you, please don’t hesitate to call our wellness consultants for a complimentary wellness consultation at 281-698-8698.
To your health,
Hotze Team
Nicole Courtney
My hair is coming out by the handfuls in the shower when I brush my hair or when I run my fingers through it
It’s been this way for 3 years
Hotze Team
Dear Nicole,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We know how devastating it can be to have hair loss, and this often happens in women with low thyroid function. Have you been evaluated for hypothyroidism? Please take our symptom checker to find out if you could have hypothyroidism and hormone decline: http://makeshift-worm.flywheelsites.com/symptom-checker/
Here is an article that may be helpful: http://makeshift-worm.flywheelsites.com/2016/10/getting-to-the-root-of-hair-loss/
If we may be of service to you, please call our Wellness Consultants for a complimentary wellness consultation at 281-698-8698. It would be our privilege to serve you.
To your health,
Hotze Team
Wendy
I have Hashimoto’s. I am on a really strict diet. My blood work seemed fine, all my numbers are very good. However, I just don’t have nails at all. they are very dry and brittle and they peel all the time. I feel so embarrassed whenever people look at my hands. I went to so many endocrinologists, I spent so much money, but everyone gave me the same answer: you are fine. If I am fine, why don’t I have nails? I am so frustrated, it seems that I just can’t have nails for the rest of my life. Who can save me?