The Thyroid-Eczema Connection: How Hormones Influence Skin Health
Eczema, with its relentless itching, dryness, and inflammation, is often treated as a skin-deep problem. But what if the root cause lies far beneath the surface? While gut health and immune balance are well-known contributors to eczema, one often-overlooked player in this complex puzzle is the thyroid.
The thyroid, a small gland in the neck, regulates metabolism, hormones, and nutrient processing. When this gland isn’t functioning properly, it can trigger a cascade of imbalances that affect the skin—contributing to flare-ups, dryness, and inflammation often seen in eczema.
How the Thyroid Influences Eczema
The thyroid doesn’t just manage energy and metabolism—it’s also a key regulator of hormones, gut health, and immune responses, all of which play a role in skin conditions like eczema. When the thyroid is out of balance, the effects ripple through the body, disrupting the delicate equilibrium that keeps skin healthy.
Here’s how:
1. Nutrient Absorption and Enzyme Production
The thyroid governs how the body metabolizes nutrients and produces digestive enzymes. When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism), digestion slows down, making it harder for the gut to absorb key nutrients like:
Zinc – Essential for wound healing and reducing inflammation.
Vitamin A and D – Vital for maintaining skin barrier function.
Selenium – A critical antioxidant that helps regulate immune response.
Without these nutrients, the skin becomes more vulnerable, leading to increased dryness, reduced repair, and heightened sensitivity—conditions that set the stage for eczema flare-ups.
2. Gut Health and Leaky Gut (Intestinal Permeability)
The thyroid and the gut have a powerful two-way relationship. Thyroid hormones regulate the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract (gut motility). When thyroid function slows down:
Digestion becomes sluggish, leading to bloating, constipation, and fermentation in the gut.
Dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can develop, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive.
Leaky gut can occur, where toxins and undigested particles pass through the intestinal lining and enter the bloodstream.
Once these unwanted particles enter the bloodstream, they trigger an immune response that can cause systemic inflammation, which often presents as skin irritation and eczema. If the gut isn’t able to properly filter and manage toxins, the skin—your body’s largest detox organ—may take over, resulting in persistent flare-ups.
3. Immune System Overdrive and Inflammation
When the thyroid is imbalanced, immune function becomes hypersensitive. This is particularly true in conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid.
A hyperactive immune system creates an inflammatory environment in the body, making eczema symptoms worse by:
Increasing histamine production, which heightens skin sensitivity.
Triggering inflammatory cytokines that fuel skin irritation.
Causing miscommunication between the gut and the immune system, leading to ongoing inflammation that affects the skin.
For individuals with eczema, this chronic state of immune activation leads to persistent flare-ups that don’t fully resolve, even with topical treatments.
4. Blood Sugar, Insulin, and Skin Health
The thyroid also plays a role in regulating blood sugar and insulin. Poor thyroid function, particularly hypothyroidism, can lead to insulin resistance. When blood sugar levels are unstable:
It fuels systemic inflammation.
It alters hormone balance.
It disrupts the microbiome, worsening gut health.
This creates a perfect storm for worsening eczema, as insulin resistance increases inflammation and compromises the body’s ability to heal.
5. Stress, Cortisol, and Skin Sensitivity
Stress and thyroid function are closely linked. The thyroid helps regulate the body’s response to stress by managing cortisol levels. But chronic stress can impair thyroid function, reducing the production of essential thyroid hormones.
When stress becomes chronic:
️ Cortisol remains elevated, contributing to inflammation.
The immune system becomes more reactive, increasing eczema flare-ups.
️ Skin becomes hypersensitive due to higher histamine levels.
As stress continues, it exacerbates eczema symptoms, leading to a frustrating cycle of inflammation and skin sensitivity.
Signs Your Thyroid May Be Contributing to Your Eczema
If you’re experiencing persistent eczema despite using topical treatments, your thyroid may be a hidden factor. Watch for these signs:
Unexplained fatigue, even after rest
Cold hands and feet or sensitivity to cold
Hair thinning or brittle nails
Digestive issues, including constipation or bloating
Dry, flaky, or itchy skin that worsens during stress
Sudden changes in weight or mood
Restoring Thyroid Balance to Calm Eczema
The good news? Supporting your thyroid can help regulate the inflammation and immune responses contributing to eczema. Here’s how:
Support Nutrient Absorption – Prioritize foods rich in zinc, selenium, iodine, and omega-3s to promote healthy thyroid function and improve skin repair.
Balance Blood Sugar – Reduce refined carbs and sugar to stabilize insulin levels and decrease inflammation.
Heal the Gut – Incorporate gut-healing foods like bone broth, fermented vegetables, and fiber-rich foods to reduce leaky gut and support microbial balance.
Reduce Stress with Adaptogens – Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and Rhodiola can help support the adrenals and regulate the stress response, protecting the thyroid.
Incorporate Stress-Reduction Techniques – Meditation, deep breathing, and gentle movement can lower cortisol and reduce immune hypersensitivity.
The Takeaway: A Healthy Thyroid Can Mean Healthier Skin
When the thyroid is functioning optimally, it helps balance hormones, regulate immune responses, and maintain a healthy gut—all critical factors in managing eczema. By addressing the thyroid as part of a comprehensive eczema management plan, you can calm inflammation from the inside out and reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
If you’re ready to explore how improving your thyroid function can help alleviate eczema, consider personalized strategies that address these interconnected systems. Healthier skin starts from within! You can order nutrients recommended from our supplement shop, or get started with an initial appointment, from anywhere in the world!