Skin Changes in Hypothyroidism: What to Look For

30 July 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Ebrahim Yusuf Ebrahim

Your skin is often one of the first places an underactive thyroid shows itself. Here's what to look for — and what tends to improve with treatment.

The thyroid hormone that sets your body's pace also helps keep skin cells turning over, oil glands working and blood flowing to the surface. When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism), all of that slows down — and the skin is often where people notice it first.

Dry, rough or flaky skin

The most common change is skin that becomes dry, rough and flaky, sometimes with fine scaling on the shins, elbows and hands. It can feel tight after washing and may be more prone to itching. This happens because reduced thyroid hormone slows the skin's natural renewal and lowers oil production.

A puffy, doughy look

Long-standing hypothyroidism can cause a subtle puffiness of the face, eyelids and hands — a firm, non-pitting swelling called myxoedema, caused by substances that hold water building up in the skin. The face can look fuller and the features softer.

Pale or yellow-tinged skin

Skin may look paler than usual because surface blood vessels narrow to conserve heat. Some people develop a slight yellow-orange tint to the palms and soles (carotenaemia), because an underactive thyroid slows the breakdown of dietary carotene.

Cool skin, hair and nail changes

The skin often feels cool and dry to the touch, hands and feet feel the cold easily, hair can become dry, brittle or thinner (including the outer eyebrows), and nails may grow slowly and split.

The reassuring part

These changes are usually not permanent. When hypothyroidism is diagnosed and treated, and thyroid levels are restored, the skin, hair and nails typically recover over the following weeks and months. Skin symptoms alone can't diagnose a thyroid problem — but they're a good reason to have a simple thyroid blood test.

Get your thyroid checked

If you recognise these changes — especially alongside tiredness, weight gain or feeling the cold — a specialist can arrange thyroid function tests and explain what they mean. Learn more about hypothyroidism and its treatment in Nairobi, or send your details on WhatsApp for guidance. (This article is general education; individual causes vary and are confirmed by testing.)