The thyroid glands are endocrine glands that are situated in the neck and produce hormones which regulate the body’s metabolism and other significant functioning of various bodily organs. A person is said to be clinically diagnosed with thyroid when there is too little or too much production of thyroid hormones.
When the hormone count of the thyroid gland drops, the body processes slow down and this can have a detrimental effect on our body. Thyroid imbalances can create havoc on your overall well-being including skin and hair.
Effects on skin and hair
Low secretion of the thyroid hormone levels has a direct effect on your skin, making it dry and pale. It also creates numerous changes including scaling, dryness, and thickening of the skin. On the other hand, hair too has to bear the brunt of thyroid hormonal imbalance. Let’s briefly discuss the effects of this serious condition.
Effects on skin
Numerous skin issues have been linked with a malfunctioning thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland doesn’t function properly, the skin will not be able to regulate its tissues and can cause abnormal changes. Thyroid issues can affect our skin in primarily three ways:
The direct effect of thyroid hormonal changes on skin tissues.
Skin changes due to effects of malfunctioning thyroid on other tissues.
Autoimmune skin issues linked with thyroid dysfunction.
One of the most common thyroid disorders where the skin is severely affected is hypothyroidism. When the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, it is known as hypothyroidism. During hypothyroid condition, skin starts becoming thick, rough, dry and turns flaky. The scientific term used for thyroid associated skin issues is ‘Myxedema’. The term, ‘Myxedema’ refers to skin problems due to the increased glycosaminoglycan deposits under the skin.
Hypothyroid is a form of thyroid known to be sluggish or down-regulated thyroid that causes secretion of dermal acid, mucopolysaccharides in the skin. All of these changes lead to a sort of calcification of the skin, making it dry and almost scaly in texture.
Hair issues due to thyroid
Your hair follicles pursue a natural process of growth and resting phase. Largely, most of your hair grows while a small portion of it is on rest mode. But when your body undergoes certain hormonal changes, our hair too reveals the signs of it. In hypothyroidism, too much hair falls into the rest mode while not enough grows, resulting in excessive hair loss, balding or thinning of hair.
Hair loss associated with thyroid is a common culprit that includes both, an underactive thyroid gland is known as “hypothyroidism”, and an overactive thyroid gland known as “hyperthyroidism”. Hair growth depends a lot on the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland.
Hence, abnormal levels of thyroid can result in hair changes. When there is an excessive thyroid hormone production, hair on your scalp starts becoming fine and thin. In contrast, when there is too little thyroid hormone production, you can witness hair loss and baldness.
Over to you
Thyroid, therefore, can have effects on your body in several ways, from your brain to your skin to hair. Hence, this condition has different effects on everyone. Some of you might experience mild symptoms while others might experience more severe symptoms. Consulting your doctor and taking proper medication along with adopting a healthy lifestyle can help manage this condition and its symptoms efficiently.
The writer is the founder and chief dietician, Nmami Life