Happy New Year, everybody! January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Did you know thyroid disease can have a lot to do with your feet? Your thyroid gland affects everything from your nervous system to your heart rate, so it’s no surprise that thyroid disease plays into foot health. In fact, your feet will often give you signs that something isn’t quite right with your thyroid. Let’s take a closer look!

Cold Feet

Your thyroid controls your metabolism. This means that when you have an underactive thyroid, your metabolism slows, which makes your body temperature drop. Enter cold feet and hands! If you find your feet are always cold to the touch, it may be a sign you have hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid disorder. Naturally, this problem will worsen with January’s cold winter months.

Swollen Feet

There are plenty of reasons why you might have swollen feet. As the day progresses, our feet naturally swell since we’re constantly moving and walking around. But if you notice your feet and ankles are swollen most of the time, it’s a good idea to get them checked. Those with hypothyroidism can have tarsal tunnel syndrome and if left untreated, it can manifest into permanent nerve damage!

Dry Feet

Are your feet unusually dry and cracked? It could be from the cold weather outside or from being on your feet for extended periods. But it could also be a sign of thyroid disease. With hypothyroidism, you may find your skin to be drier and cracked on the soles of your feet. Painful fissures and thick, leathery skin is also common. Notice any of these signs? Get your thyroid checked as soon as possible!

Concerned about thyroid diseases’ effects on your feet? Call our office today and ask about it. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Donal M. Erickson, Dr. Keith Sherman, Dr. Anne-Louise Smith, Dr. Justin Muser, and the rest of the staff at Syracuse Podiatry in East Syracuse, New York, can help treat and care for your feet. Call us at 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online to get help today.