Low Vitamin / Mineral Levels
Its worth being checked for low vitamin and mineral levels and considering supplementation if you have skin complaints also.
Ones to look include include:
Folate/Folic acid
Ferritin
Iron, T.I.B.C., Transferrin Saturation
Magnesium
RBC Potassium
More information on vitamins and minerals here.
When To See Your Doctor
If you have symptoms of thyroid disease, consult with your doctor, who will do a thorough physical exam, ask you details about your symptoms, and do a blood test to check your thyroid levels. Fortunately, in most cases, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be effectively treated.
Thyroid Disease Doctor Discussion Guide
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Thyroid storm is a rare but very serious, potentially life-threatening condition that occurs in people with untreated hyperthyroidism. It may be triggered by a stressful event like surgery, trauma, or infection. Thyroid storm is characterized by exaggerated symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as a very fast heart rate, high fever, diarrhea, agitation, delirium, and/or decreased consciousness.
Myxedema coma, on the other hand, is a life-threatening emergency that can result from hypothyroidism.
Read how thyroid disease causes dry mouth.
The Impressive Effect Of The Thyroid
Many assume that acne breakouts are caused only by imbalances of estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone. This is not surprising as fluctuations of these hormones is the predominant cause of acne during puberty. However, in adults, the cause of acne more than likely involves thyroid dysfunction or deficiency.
The thyroid is an essential component of health and exerts its influence through the production of hormones. Thyroid hormones influence numerous functions including metabolism, conversion of food into energy, cellular and tissue regeneration, sleep, and more. Thyroid dysfunction can result in a wide array of symptoms , specifically regarding hormone balance. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that inhibited thyroid function can result in skin conditions such as acne.
Also Check: What Helps With Acne Scars
Contact Radiant Health Sf For Thyroid Support
The thyroid controls many bodily functions, and when there is an imbalance in one area, there are likely to be others seemingly unrelated. Under the supervision of a qualified professional, you can find out if your thyroid function is related to acne. We have those specialists available through our hormone clinic in San Francisco. If you want further discussion, please feel free to make an appointment for an assessment and consultation.
How To Treat Hypothyroidism And Thyroid
Just like diagnosis, treating hypothyroidism can be done medically, with prescription thyroid hormone provided by a physician. If your physician recommends it and you feel comfortable taking it , this may be the most direct and fastest way to get your thyroid back on track.
Now before you go running to your physician, I would like to point one thing out more often than not, an underactive thyroid is caused by underlying nutritional deficiencies or autoimmune conditions.
In fact, its estimated that upwards of 90% of all individuals suffering from hypothyroidism have a specific condition called Hashimotos Disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3066320 Hashimotos disease is an autoimmune condition, which is basically a fancy way of saying that your own immune system is damaging the thyroid.
While medication can and will help with your thyroid hormone levels, understanding why Hashimotos occurs in the first place is important in getting to the root causes. There are a few environmental and dietary factors that we know of so far
Okay, now that Im done lecturing, lets get to the fun stuff how you can prevent and treat hypothyroidism and thyroid-related acne
Don’t Miss: How To Fix Scarring From Acne
Taking A Look At Thyroid Dysfunction
Hypothyroidism is the most common form of thyroid disease. The condition causes a slowing of thyroid activity resulting in various forms of dysfunction including insomnia, sensitivity to cold, digestive issues, cognitive dysfunction, difficulty losing weight, and skin conditions. It is estimated that approximately 12% of the American population will develop a thyroid condition. Depending on the study, Hypothyroidism impacts between 5 and 10% of the population. Women are more likely to develop thyroid disease than men.
One leading cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimotos thyroiditis. Hashimotos causes an increase of Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies . An excess of either substance can indicate that the immune system has turned against the thyroid and is actively attacking it. If the condition is left untreated, irreparable damage can be done to the thyroid resulting in lifelong hypothyroidism.
Can Hypothyroidism Cause Acne
Your thyroid health affects different aspects of your physiology, including your skin health. Hormonal acne is generally attributed to an imbalance in certain hormones like progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
However, although they seem to be the common culprits, hypothyroidism can also cause acne. This is because hypothyroidism influences insulin levels, which in turn influences testosterone production.
When there is excess testosterone production, it causes acne. Apart from this, hypothyroidism causes low progesterone, which also causes high estrogen levels. These two factors are two leading acne causes. Hence, it is safe to say that hypothyroidism does cause acne. But that isnt all.
The thyroid is part of the endocrine system and is located in the neck. The endocrine system is a complex gland system that introduces hormones into the circulatory system to control and regulate metabolism and other body functions.
Apart from acne, thyroid dysfunction affects the overall health too and is the underlying cause of most acne breakouts. Since it influences hormone production and other numerous functions, it should not be a surprise that it causes acne.
A study conducted by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found a link between acne and autoimmune thyroid disorder regardless of age. Since keeping healthy skin is one way to avoid acne, whatever fails to help keep healthy skin ultimately contributes to acne.
You May Like: What Is Acne Vulgaris Pictures
Why You Might Have Low Thyroid Function
In his book, Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, Dr. Barnes states that 40 percent of Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, or an inadequate supply of thyroid hormone. That was written in the 1970s, so I imagine we’re closer to 50 or 60 percent of the population today .
From the book jacket:
“Of all the problems that can affect physical or mental health, none is more common than thyroid gland disturbance. None is more readily and inexpensively corrected. And none is more often untreated, and even unsuspected. Hypothyroidismlow thyroid functionis one of the gland disturbances that many people suffer from without even realizing it. It can be the cause of low energy or constant fatigue that is one of the most common complaints brought to doctors. It may be responsible for chronic headaches, repeated infections, unyielding skin problems , or circulatory difficulties. Even more frightening, it can be a major factor in heart disease, lung cancer, and emphysema. And it is responsible for many emotional and mental disturbances.”
Okay, so there are more serious health concerns there, but I’m not too proud to admit that skin was the main reason I started researching thyroid . I’m in beauty, what can I say? Skin matters.
You’ll probably be mildly shocked when you read this next bit about what causes hypothyroidism, according to Dr. Peat:
OMG! I don’t know about you, but I was doing everything on that list. No wonder I was getting breakouts, among other low thyroid symptoms.
Progesterone And Your Thyroid
Progesterone is the sex hormone that helps to counterbalance estrogen, especially during that week or two right before your period. Too much estrogen relative to progesterone leads to breakouts.
There are two reasons why serum progesterone levels and hypothyroidism are inversely correlated. The first is that, as weve just seen, Vitamin A and hypothyroidism are inversely correlated, and adequate Vitamin A also encourages the body to produce progesterone. Therefore, if youre hypothyroid, you have too little Vitamin A, and if you have too little vitamin A, you also have too little progesterone.
The second reason why hypothyroidism is linked to low progesterone is because progesterone facilitates the release of T4 from the thyroid gland. So again, its a feedback loop: hypothyroidism causes low progesterone, and low progesterone also perpetuates hypothyroidism.
If that werent enough, high estrogen levels also stimulate production of Thyroid Binding Globulin, or TBG. TBG binds thyroid hormones T4 and T3, preventing them from stimulating thyroid receptors. This means that even the T4 and the T3 that your body does manage to produce wont do you any good. Youll be functionally hypothyroid, even if total lab levels of T4 and T3 are still within range.
You May Like: How To Fix Acne Scars
Poor Gut Health Correlated With Hypothyroidism
Another important aspect of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are gastrointestinal issues such as intestinal permeability , irritable bowel syndrome , small intestinal bacterial overgrowth . Think of the gut as an ecosystem, if your intestinal tract is overpopulated by bacteria, the whole ecosystem is thrown for a loop. This can cause GI symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. But in some cases, it can cause non-GI symptoms such as acne, eczema, fatigue, or nutrient deficiencies.
What About Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is uncommon and is among the least deadly. The main symptom is a lump or swelling in the neck, and only about 5% of thyroid nodules turn out to be cancerous. When thyroid cancer is diagnosed, it is most often treated with surgery followed by radioactive iodine therapy or, in some cases, external radiation therapy.
You May Like: Does Apple Cider Help With Acne
Weakness And Aches In Muscles And Joints
Low thyroid hormone flips the metabolic switch toward catabolism, which is when the body breaks down body tissues like muscle for energy .
During catabolism, muscle strength decreases, potentially leading to feelings of weakness. The process of breaking down muscle tissue can also lead to aching .
Everyone feels weak once in a while. However, people with hypothyroidism are twice as likely to feel more weak than usual, compared to healthy people (
6 ).
One study in 35 individuals with hypothyroidism showed that replacing low levels of thyroid hormone with a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine improved muscle strength and decreased aches and pains, compared to no treatment .
Another study showed a 25% improvement in the sense of physical well-being among patients receiving thyroid replacement .
Weakness and aches are normal following strenuous activity. However, new, and especially increasing, weakness or aching is a good reason to make an appointment with your physician.
Summary: Low levels of thyroid hormone slow down your metabolism and can cause painful muscle breakdown.
What Are Early Warning Signs Of Thyroid Problems 15 Signs It May Be Time To Get Thyroid Testing
At the Medical Transformation Center in Louisville, Kentucky, we know that thyroid disorders are common, and we offer thyroid testing to help combat the concern. Statistically, about 12% of people will experience some form of thyroid disorder in their life, and getting it treated is the key to feeling like yourself again. Knowing the early signs of thyroid problems could be a great help to treat it.
Don’t Miss: What Is My Acne Telling Me
How To Check For Low Thyroid
There are a few ways to determine if your thyroid is low, and causing your acne:
Low Body Temperature: Because low thyroid function often manifests as low body temperature, Dr. Barnes developed the basal body temperature test. Immediately upon waking, before you get out of bed, place a thermometer under your tongue or armpit and leave it there for 10 minutes while you lie still. Menstruating women should do the readings on the first three days of the menstrual cycle. If your average waking temperature is consistently less than 36.6°C , you may have hypothyroidism.
Slow Pulse Rate: The resting heart rate helps to interpret the temperature, says Dr. Peat. The combination of pulse rate and temperature is much better than either one alone. He came to this conclusion after observing that some people, who were obviously hypothyroid, had body temperatures that were perfectly normal, especially in warm climates. You can measure your pulse rate at sites like this one. Healthy and intelligent groups of people have been found to have an average resting pulse rate of 85/minute, while less healthy groups average close to 70/minute, says Dr. Peat.
Wow. Is your mind blown? More on that in Dr. Peats article here.
The Very Important Role Of Your Thyroid
So let’s just go over what your thyroid actually does. It’s a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck that is part of your endocrine system, a complex system of glands that produce and secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to influence, regulate and control metabolism and many of the body’s processes. Metabolism means the rate at which food is burned to form energy.
Think of the thyroid as the boss of the endocrine system, and in turn the boss of your metabolism. The hormones it produces reach every cell in the body, and are essential for feeling warm, happy and energetic.
In fact, you can’t be in good health unless your thyroid is working properly. “Health begins and ends with the proper balance of the endocrine system,” said the late Broda O. Barnes, MD, PhD. An American physician who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to researching and treating thyroid and related endocrine dysfunctions, Dr. Barnes is considered the “granddaddy” of the thyroid field .
Family nutritionist and naturopathic endocrinologist Laura Thompson, PhD, agrees that when metabolism is broken, there can be many consequences to our health. “Thyroid dysfunction affects our health systemically,” she says. “Since the endocrine system is responsible for growth, repair, metabolism, energy and reproduction, any slowing of the thyroid can have significant implications for our overall health.”
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Back Acne Fast At Home
Thyroid Disease: A Checklist Of Skin Hair And Nail Changes
Although your thyroid gland sits deep in your neck, your dermatologist may be the first doctor to notice signs of thyroid disease. Thats because many signs and symptoms of thyroid disease develop on the skin, hair, and nails.
The thyroid gland
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones, which play a key role in regulating your heartbeat, breathing, and many other functions.
You, too, may also be able to spot thyroid disease, and thats important. Caught early, treatment can prevent complications. When thyroid disease goes untreated for years, it can lead to a dangerously slow heartbeat, an injury that refuses to heal, or unrelenting pain. You may have gained or lost weight for no apparent reason.
To help you find early signs of thyroid disease on your skin, hair, and nails, heres a checklist.
How Hypothyroidism Disrupts Vitamin A
All retinoid drugs are derived from Vitamin A. Vitamin A works by encouraging the regeneration of keratin in the skin .
However, the thyroid must be working properly in order to adequately convert carotenoids to Vitamin A.
Theres a feedback loop here, as well: once the Vitamin A status is low, hypothyroidism tends to worsen. This is because Vitamin A appears to be directly involved in the conversion of the less active T4 into the more active T3 hormone.
Also Check: How To Reduce Acne Scars Overnight
Surgery For Thyroid Disorders
Removing the thyroid gland can cure hyperthyroidism, but the procedure is only recommended if antithyroid drugs don’t work, or if there is a large goiter. Surgery may also be recommended for patients with thyroid nodules. Once the thyroid is removed, most patients require daily supplements of thyroid hormones to avoid developing hypothyroidism.
Congenital Disease And Pituitary Disorder:
Although uncommon, babies can sometimes be born with no thyroid gland or a defective one. For unknown reasons, the gland may not develop as it should, or it could be that the baby inherited the disorder from a parent. Babies with congenital hypothyroidism look normal at birth, but the condition is revealed with thyroid screening.
The pituitary gland is sometimes called the master gland of the body, and its failure is another rare cause of hypothyroidism. When there is a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, it often prevents the gland from producing enough thyroid-stimulating hormones.
You May Like: What Is The Best Acne Wash
Thyroid Thursday #: Acne And Hypothyroidism
Is your adult acne the result of thyroid dysfunction? Possibly! Thyroid physiology can impact all aspects of skin health. Last episode we discussed dry skin, but what if you have acne prone skin?
In Episode #86 of Thyroid Thursday, Dr. Eric Balcavage explains acne and hypothyroidism, and the four common themes that may lead to acne in patients with thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and autoimmune conditions like Hashimotos Disease. Your thyroid health can impact every aspect of your physiology including overall skin health!
Full transcript:
Were back for another edition of Thyroid Thursday and today I want to talk about acne and hypothyroidism. Is there a connection between having acne and having hypothyroidism? Whether its cellular hypothyroidism, a lack of T3 in the cell or glandular hypothyroidism, where the gland isnt making enough thyroid hormone most commonly caused by Hashimotos but it can be caused by a number of other things. The answer to that is there is a connection. But there isnt a really clear cut reason why. So I want to give you my interpretation of what Ive read and why acne and hypothyroidism have a tendency to kind of be seen together.
What Is The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck just below your Adams apple. It consists of two lobes that sit on the right and left of your trachea and are connected by a bridge, called the isthmus. When the thyroid gland is normal in size you likely cant feel it.
The pituitary gland in the brain produces a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone , that causes the cells in your thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine . The thyroid gland secretes these hormones.
Thyroid hormones play a large role in metabolism. They influence the control of our bodys vital functions, including body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Theyre critical for skeletal and nervous system development, and play an important role in the development and functioning of the reproductive system.
Read Also: Why Is My Acne So Red
