Skin findings in thyroid diseases

Introduction and Objective: Many skin findings have been associated with thyroid diseases. In this study, we compared the subjects with thyroid disease and the control group to investigate the frequency and type of skin disorders and further analyzed findings of the patient group, to demonstrate whether there is a relationship between the type of skin disorders, thyroid function status, and autoantibody positivity. We also examined whether there were differences in skin findings between those with subclinical thyroid disease and those with overt thyroid disease. Materials and Methods: This study includes 927 patients who were admitted to Celal Bayar University Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases outpatient clinic and Internal Medicine outpatient clinic between June 2018 and January 2020. The control group consists of 78 patients who applied to the outpatient clinic for any reason and did not have clinical and laboratory findings of thyroid disease. A detailed history of the patient and control groups was taken, and a thorough examination of the skin and all systems was performed. Laboratory data and thyroid Doppler ultrasonography results were recorded from the patient files. Skin findings and frequency of these findings were evaluated in individuals with thyroid disease and the control group. Findings: In our study, we detected at least one skin finding in 41.6% of the patients and 43.6% of the control group. The most common skin findings in patients with thyroid disease were 41.4% xerosis, 39.3% hair loss, 36.9% pruritus, 23.3% coldness / paleness, 10.7% chronic urticaria, and 8.2% acne vulgaris. In our study, the incidence of coldness / paleness, hair loss, carotenemia, chronic urticaria, acne vulgaris, vitiligo, and alopecia areata was higher in the autoimmune group than the other groups. Alopecia areata in the euthyroid group; coldness / paleness, dryness, carotenemia, and contact dermatitis in the hypothyroid patient group; and the brittle nails were higher in the hyperthyroid patient group. Conclusion: Thyroid hormones affect all the organs and systems in the body, including the skin. Although skin findings are prevalent in thyroid diseases, they might be unnoticeable. Evaluation of thyroid diseases in patients with skin-related findings will enable early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases.