Hypothyroidism can change a person's appearance in multiple ways. Often, people with an underactive thyroid have facial puffiness, especially around the eyes. The skin may also become dry and scaly.
In hypothyroidism, the skin tends to be pale both because of the dermal mucopolysaccharides and dermal water content. In addition, increased dermal carotene may appear as a prominent yellow hue on the palms, soles and nasolabial folds.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. It can cause facial flushing, swelling, skin thinning, and bulging eyes.
Painless lumps and patches of scaly skin feel hard and waxy
Lumps on discolored skin that feel hard and waxy can be a sign of thyroid disease.
However, changes in the facial expressions can also be a tell-tale sign of hypothyroidism. “Facial expressions become dull, the voice is hoarse, speech is slow, eyelids droop and the eyes and face become puffy,” the MSD Manuals explains.
The 'Thyroid Stare'
When a person's eyeballs bulge forward, their eyelids become pushed back, and muscles that open and close the eyelids can also become more restricted. “This leads to the 'thyroid stare,' where patients look like they're staring,” says Falcone.
Skin changes
In hypothyroidism, the time it takes for the skin cells to turn over increases. Because of this, your old cells stay on your skin longer. This will cause your skin to start feeling dry, rough, and scaly. You may start to notice wrinkles appearing or your skin starting to sag.
Thyroid disease can cause multiple eye problems. These include redness and swelling, double vision, decreased vision, eyelid retraction (inability to close the eyes), and a bulging of the eye itself.
Dry skin and weak hair and nails
An underactive thyroid affects the skin in various ways and can cause symptoms, such as : dry, coarse skin. paleness. thin, scaly skin.
"Typically as we age undereye puffiness can specifically become more pronounced. This is due to the weakening of the structural support provided by our muscles, bones, and ligaments - which causes the protrusion of the anatomical 'fat pads' under our eyes (making them look 'puffy')," comments Viscusi.
An underactive thyroid can also result in puffiness, swelling, and fluid retention. Hyperthyroidism generally results in weight loss making it less likely to cause a double chin. However, hyperthyroidism can be associated with thyroid swelling (goiter), which could create the appearance of a double chin.
This inflammation can push the eyes forward (“staring” or “bulging”) or cause the eyes and eyelids to become red and swollen. In some individuals, the inflammation may involve the eye muscles, causing the eyes to become out of line, leading to double vision.
Toxins and bacteria can cause your thyroid symptoms to flare. Because Botox is a neurotoxin derived from a harmful bacterium, your thyroid may be affected by the use of this product. When your body is triggered, your thyroid symptoms can worsen, often called a flare-up.
Many women with Hashimoto's feel like their skin is aging prematurely; this is often as a result of the dryness due to hypothyroidism/nutrient deficiencies while at the same time, some may see breakouts that they haven't had since teenage years, due to hormonal imbalances/toxicities/food sensitivities.
Characteristic symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, hoarseness, constipation, and myalgias. Neurologic symptoms may include ataxia, depression, and mental status changes ranging from mild confusion to overt dementia.
Hypothyroidism is more common in older persons than younger individuals, especially among women, principally due to the rising incidence and prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Furthermore, the incidence of hypothyroidism steadily increases with advancing age (Figure 1).
A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid.
Lingual thyroid is an abnormal mass of ectopic thyroid tissue seen in base of tongue caused due to embryological aberrancy in development of thyroid gland. Most of the ectopic tissue is seen in the tongue.
Yes, dizziness is a symptom of a thyroid problem. Thyroid diseases³ or thyroid abnormalities sometimes manifest as dizziness. A high heart rate, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are all possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Dry skin is one of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism. With less thyroid hormone, the skin becomes thinner and more scaly because of dead skin cells — resulting in dry skin. Dry skin is more likely to affect the skin on the arms and legs above the joints, but it can involve the palms and soles too.
Clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism range from life threatening to no signs or symptoms. The most common symptoms in adults are fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin, but clinical presentation can differ with age and sex, among other factors.