Hypothyroidism and Eyelash Loss in a 77-Year-Old Woman

November 2020 in “ Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine ”

Hiroki Matsuura, Yu Suganami

hypothyroidism milphosis thyroid-stimulating hormone serum thyroxine antithyroid antibodies TSH thyroxine

TLDR Eyelash loss can be a sign of thyroid problems.

A 77-year-old woman presented with general fatigue, peripheral edema, and loss of eyelashes, which was diagnosed as hypothyroidism with milphosis. Laboratory tests showed elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (33.7 µU/mL) and low serum thyroxine, along with antithyroid antibodies. Milphosis, the loss of eyelashes, can be caused by thyroid disorders, among other systemic and localized diseases. Despite receiving supplemental thyroxine, the patient's eyelashes did not regrow. This case highlights the importance of considering underlying systemic disorders in patients with eyelash loss.

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