Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, May 25: On the occasion of World Thyroid Day, an unusual yet telling trend is emerging across urban India — teenagers being diagnosed with thyroid issues not by endocrinologists, but by dermatologists. Skin and hair complaints such as persistent acne, sudden hair fall, and dry or pigmented skin have increasingly become the first red flags leading to deeper investigations and eventual thyroid diagnoses.

“This wasn’t something we saw a decade ago,” says Dr Gopal G, a senior dermatologist from Bengaluru. “Now, I see at least three to four teenage girls every week showing clear dermatological signs of hypothyroidism. They usually walk in for acne or thinning hair, but blood tests point to thyroid dysfunction.”

A recent analysis conducted by Neuberg Diagnostics across Tamil Nadu and Kerala from June 2023 to April 2025 revealed that 1 in 4 teenagers had abnormal TSH levels, indicating possible thyroid disorders. Girls, in particular, showed a significantly higher risk, with symptoms often brushed off by families as stress or hormonal fluctuation due to adolescence.

“We thought it was just exam stress,” says Asha Raja, mother of a 17-year-old diagnosed with hypothyroidism. “We never imagined that a skin doctor would be the one to ask for a thyroid test!”

Experts are now in agreement that the skin often reflects internal health, especially hormonal changes. Hypothyroidism, the most common condition found among teens, is associated with dry skin, brittle nails, puffiness, fatigue, weight gain, and pigmentation, among others. On the flip side, hyperthyroidism can cause excessive sweating, urticaria (hives), weight loss, anxiety, tremors, and sleep disturbances.

“About 10–20% of skin disorder patients we investigate turn out to have underlying thyroid conditions,” says Dr Girish MS from ESIC Hospital, Bengaluru. Dermatologists, now more than ever, are requesting thyroid profiles, especially when acne or hair loss seems resistant to standard treatments.

“Skin and hair changes are no longer cosmetic problems — they’re endocrine warnings,” adds Dr Aishwarya Radhakrishna, Senior Consultant at MS Clinical Research Institute.

While thyroid disorders have long existed, experts point to several modern lifestyle factors fuelling the rise among teenagers:

• Environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food and personal care products

• Processed and junk food consumption

• Sedentary routines and poor sleep hygiene

• Chronic stress, especially academic pressure

“All these factors place a direct burden on the endocrine system,” explains endocrinologist Dr Abhi Gundubarthi, adding that “early detection can prevent long-term complications.”

However, not all experts are convinced that thyroid dysfunctions are genuinely spiking. Dr Divya Sharma, a renowned Bengaluru-based dermatologist, sounds a word of caution: “There are many false positives for high TSH. Sometimes, hair supplements or low Vitamin D levels trigger misleading results. These need to be interpreted by endocrinologists, not in isolation.”

Still, Dr Sharma concedes that with rising obesity and PCOD cases among teens, an uptick in thyroid issues is expected.

Doctors agree that universal screening isn’t necessary, but there are specific signs that warrant testing:

• Sudden unexplained hair loss

• Dry skin or dark pigmentation around neck/underarms

• Delayed or early onset of menstruation

• Persistent fatigue and weight gain

In conclusion, while thyroid disorders in teens are becoming more visible — thanks in part to alert dermatologists — the rise also underscores the urgent need for holistic health awareness. Parents, educators, and healthcare providers must work together to ensure early detection, accurate diagnosis, and lifestyle changes that support better endocrine health in India's young population.