Are Your Feet Warning You About a Thyroid Problem?
Many people don’t realize it, but some foot issues can be a sign of thyroid problems. Because January is Thyroid Awareness Month, today Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located in the Amarillo, TX panhandle are sharing some telltale signs that you may have a problem with your thyroid.
8 Symptoms that may signal thyroid issues:
1. Cramping: Muscle cramps and pain can be caused by several things and aren’t always a symptom of a thyroid problem. But if chronic pain perseveres and you can’t identify the exact cause, you might want to consider having your thyroid tested.
2. Swollen Feet: Swelling that makes the skin sink in when it’s pressed on, is one of the most common indicators of a thyroid problem and while it can affect the feet, it’s typically accompanied by fatigue, constipation, sore throat, and puffiness of the face.
3. Itchy Skin: This itchiness is not always confined to the feet - hands, body, genitalia, and scalp may itch as well when thyroid complications worsen. Diseases of the thyroid also damage the immune system and may put you at greater risk of developing chronic hives.
4. Infections: Thyroid conditions often leave one disposed to foot infections such as fungal infection of the toenails and/or athlete’s foot. Such infections can cause your foot to swell, cause puss to drip out of wounds, or discolor your toenails.
5. Cracked, Flaky, Dry Skin: Research was conducted with 300 patients suffering from thyroid disease to identify the relationship with flaky skin. The results revealed that out of the 300 patients, over 65% of the patients experienced coarse, dry skin.
6. Smelly Feet: One of the more common symptoms of a thyroid problem is excessive sweating. When the feet become covered in sweat, they develop into the perfect breeding ground for contaminants and bacteria that produce the foul stench.
7. Cold Feet: When levels of thyroid hormones are low, it affects the heart’s capacity to pump blood. When this happens, the blood flow throughout the body declines, and the hands and feet may feel cold because they’re not getting a sufficient supply of blood. In some more severe cases, the entire body may feel cold. Constant movement helps blood to flow properly and get to where it needs to go. To ensure better blood circulation, be sure to get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise daily.
8. Yellowing of the Soles of the Feet: Thyroid hormones are needed to transform beta-carotene into vitamin A, which are the nutrients that give carrots their bright orange color. If you experience thyroid issues, your body won’t have sufficient thyroid hormones to change the beta-carotene in the body and the excess beta-carotene collects and makes the skin of the soles look yellow.
If you’re having any issues with your feet and wonder if it may be a sign of a thyroid problem, contact the office of Dr. Mark Thompson and Dr. Brandon Holloway of Amarillo Foot Specialists located at 5109 Lexington Square #200 in Amarillo, TX at (806) 322-3338 to schedule a consultation.