Onycholysis and thyroid disease: report of three cases.
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.
Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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Nakatsui
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Lin
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013974:Thyroxine