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Vitiligo and thyroid problems: there is a connection
There is indeed a connection between vitiligo and thyroid problems. Following the discussion at the members' day, the LVVP inquired with dermatologist Dr. Wietze van der Veen, who specializes in pigment diseases. Dr. Van der Veen was unfortunately unable to attend the members day, but he gave the following response today:
'Thyroid problems (hypo-but also hyperthyroidism) are seen more often in vitiligo patients than in the average population. The problems actually mainly occur in women and the frequency increases with age. Ultimately, about one in four women will experience problems. At the SNIP, we only screen children and women over the age of thirty for thyroid failure. The children because of the potentially serious consequences, such as growth retardation and learning problems'.
The LVVP has previously published about the relationship between vitiligo and thyroid problems. Unfortunately, this did not come out well on the members' day. Vitiligo patients are advised to be examined by an internist who specializes in endocrinology (the treatment of diseases of the endocrine glands, such as the thyroid, parathyroid gland, pancreas (e.g. diabetes), adrenal glands, genital organs and pituitary gland.
In Spotlight! No. 1 of 2013 contained an interview with endocrinologist Dr. Rob Gonera of the Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen. He indicates that in patients with an autoimmune disease (which is vitiligo), he is always alert to the presence of other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, diabetes, gluten allergy (celiac disease) and lack of vitamin B12.
Read the message here 'Stains on your hands? Watch your thyroid!'
Read the article from Spotlight here! No. 1 of March 2013. Spotlight!_March_2013_page13
Good article.
I also have vitiligo and partly because of this I discovered that I had been living with an underactive thyroid (hashimoto) for 2.5 years. I am 23 years old and unfortunately I have never been tested for TSH by the SNIP because my age did not fall within the risk group. In retrospect, very unfortunate.
Hi jasmine and snip, I have had vitiligo since I was 1. And when I was 16, I found out during the first blood test of my life (after the heel prick) that I also have Hashimoto's. An interview with me about these two diseases was once published in the patient magazine Schild. I'm now 24. Is it a good idea to see women of all ages as at risk? There is not necessarily less risk between 18-30, but this group is often too busy to see a doctor. It's a shame that the GP then indicated that no connection had been proven, but apparently now there is. Especially on my hands, elbows and some, the spots are largest and whitest. Fortunately, the rest of the body is decreasing, but they could have pointed out to my parents the increased risk of other autoimmune diseases when I was little. Indeed, think about other diseases (I am already sensitive to B12, gastroscopy was poor, microscopic examination was reasonable and blood was good), especially diabetes and rheumatism, which worries me a bit. Also for the future if we want children. In any case, I'll be alert.