Skin problems: when is it time to see an endocrinologist?

We usually explain any problems with the skin by two reasons – either we ate it or we smeared it. For us, this is the standard and most obvious explanation, after which we either change cosmetics or adjust the diet.

In 90% of cases, this is enough to notice a clear improvement in the condition of the skin. However, 10% remain when nothing helps, and in this case the phrase “something is wrong with the skin” is a bell from deeper structures of our body – from the endocrine system.

The HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM is a system of regulation of cells, tissues and organs in which commands are given through special small and nimble molecules – hormones. They spread almost instantly through the body through the blood or through the intercellular space and regulate the work of the whole organism, allowing it to quickly respond to the changing external environment and internal changes.

From the school biology course, we usually remember about the glands that synthesize hormones, and completely forget that hormones can be produced by individual cells scattered in different tissues of the human body. The skin is just such a tricky organ that is controlled by hormones and can produce them, so any malfunctions in the work of the entire hormonal system quickly affect its condition.

What hormones and how exactly can “hint” that we should visit an endocrinologist?

Androgens

Male sex hormones, which are produced in both men and women, but in different amounts. They greatly affect the work of the sebaceous glands and the growth of hair follicles, and disturbances in their balance can manifest as follows:

Very oily skin and severe acne after 18 years.

Seborrhea.

“Extra” facial hair

“Missing” hair on the top of the head

Such symptoms occur quite often to one degree or another in 10-30% of women.

Estrogens

Female sex hormones that affect the density of the skin, the amount of collagen, lipids, hyaluronic acid and capillary growth. After menopause, when their number is rapidly decreasing, there is a rapid change in the skin – it becomes thinner, drier, more sensitive, a wrinkled mesh appears. Up to 50-55 years of age , a lack of estrogens may indicate:

Thin, sensitive and dry skin all over the body, although it used to be normal (!).

Premature aging – the formation of a wrinkled mesh, dull, pale complexion, dull hair.

Thyroid hormones (thyroid hormones)

Very important hormones that actually regulate the metabolism in the body – affect the pressure and respiration of tissues, take part in the synthesis and breakdown of fats, in glucose metabolism, affect water metabolism, and so on and so forth.

Very dry, flaky, itchy skin all over the body,

Brittle and brittle nails, split hairs on the head and “disappearing eyebrows”

Profuse sweating, hot, moist, sensitive skin

soft thin nails,

Cortisol

A hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism in our body and commands our body in stressful situations. It is a hormone that helps our body to escape and hide. It has a very strong effect on the skin through the state of the circulatory system.

Too thin skin with fragile capillaries

Pigmented spots or darkening of the skin on the bends of the joints

Change and uneven coloring

on the nails.

Progesterone

Hormone of the female cycle, pregnancy, health and youth of the skin. First of all, problems with this hormone will be indicated by an unstable female cycle, increased fatigue and mood swings, but additional beacons may be:

• rosacea is a constant background redness on the cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose with a mesh of vessels and swollen skin,
• general atonicity of the skin – thinness, lethargy, pallor,
• hair loss,
• changes in thermoregulation, when you sweat, then freeze.

IMPORTANT: after reading this article, it is worth remembering that the human brain is able to find signs of any disease from the medical encyclopedia in its owner. A real diagnosis can only be made by a doctor based on a set of data and analyses.

Don’t panic ahead of time, but you shouldn’t ignore the bright signs either.

Info taken from the site.