Onycholysis, a condition in which the distal nail body separates from the nail bed, commonly occurs on the fourth fingers (Picture). Onycholysis has been said to be seen in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism.
Onycholysis is a dermatological nail disorder which runs a chronic course. It is characterized by spontaneous distal separation of the nail plate from the free margin and progressively proximally [1]. Onycholysis is also referred to Plummer's Nails when it occurs in setting of hyperthyroidism [2, 3].
Additional symptoms associated with Graves' disease include heart palpitations, slight tremors of the hands and/or fingers, hair loss, brittle nails, exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia), increased appetite, and an increase in the frequency of bowel movements.
It is due to an abnormal immune system response that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. Graves disease is most common in women over age 20. But the disorder can occur at any age and can affect men as well.
With Graves' disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to make more thyroid hormones than your body needs. As a result, many of your body's functions speed up. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes thyroid hormones.
Half and half nails or Lindsay's nails is a systemic onychopathy, clinically characterized by a white coloring of the proximal half nail and a red-brown coloration of the distal half of all the nails.
Sensitive Skin and Skin Discoloration
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
Blood tests can help your doctor determine your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) — the pituitary hormone that normally stimulates the thyroid gland — and your levels of thyroid hormones. People with Graves' disease usually have lower than normal levels of TSH and higher levels of thyroid hormones.
Data on the exact life expectancy of someone with hyperthyroidism are not available. That said, a 2017 study suggests that it is 3.1 to 3.5 years shorter than those without the condition.
Graves' disease affects more people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth. It typically occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can affect children and older adults.
Curved nails with swollen fingertip
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
Summary. When you have thyroid disease, it can make you feel exhausted all of the time. Unfortunately, you may continue to experience fatigue even after a healthcare provider provides treatment for your thyroid condition. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your thyroid medication to help with your exhaustion.
People who have thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, often experience foot pain. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive and no longer produces all the hormones the body needs.
The hives appear as swelling or welts, also known as wheals. They are pink and usually accompanied by an itching or burning sensation. They occur on the back, chest, buttocks, face, and neck. Sometimes, hives may affect the arms or legs, especially the upper arms and thighs.
For most people, this cough is a dry, hacking sort of cough.” In addition to cough, thyroid growth can lead to pressing on the vocal cords and a hoarse voice, or pressing on the esophagus and difficulty swallowing food. You may also notice swelling or pain in the front of your lower neck, and even into your ears.
Harlequin nails are observed in patients with abrupt smoking cessation. 1. With smoking cessation, a demarcation appears between the distal staining nail and growth of the normal nail. In general, finger nails grow at a rate of about 2.0–4.0 mm per month. Clinicians can use this to estimate the date smoking ceased.
Mermaid nails refer to any nail enhancement or gel service with a thin layer of an extra fine iridescent glitter over the top.
Terry's nails are a type of apparent leukonychia, characterized by ground glass opacification of nearly the entire nail, obliteration of the lunula, and a narrow band of normal, pink nail bed at the distal border.
Summary. When you have thyroid disease, you might experience muscle weakness and pain, especially if your thyroid hormone levels are not where they should be. Hypothyroid myopathy tends to cause muscle weakness in the larger muscles of the body, typically the shoulders and thighs.
Graves' disease does not directly weaken the immune system. However, a 2017 review highlights research suggesting that it may develop because of immune system weakness. It claims that immunodeficiency may cause Graves' disease.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Graves disease often responds well to treatment. Thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine often will cause an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Without getting the correct dosage of thyroid hormone replacement, hypothyroidism can lead to: Depression.