Onycholysis and Thyroid Disease: Report of Three Cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Onycholysis is a common disorder with many causes. It is known to be associated with thyroid disease (especially hyperthyroidism), but physicians probably do not routinely screen for underlying thyroid disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of onycholysis and thyroid disease. METHODS: We report three patients with onycholysis who were investigated for thyroid disease. RESULTS: In two patients, onycholysis was the presenting sign of previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism, whereas the third developed onycholysis while undergoing therapy for hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: These three cases appear to suggest that patients with unexplained onycholysis should be screened for asymptomatic thyroid disease.