Skin Conditions + Thyroid Health: The Connection You Can’t Ignore

Welcome to Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid!

This is your weekly roundup of the BEST actionable steps for those people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions who want to restore their health…by healing their gut. Whether you have hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s you will benefit from the content in this newsletter.

In today's issue:

• Main Topic: Skin Conditions + Thyroid Health: The Connection You Can’t Ignore

• Podcast Review: Can Dental Work Keep Thyroid Antibodies High? (Mercury & Root Canals Explained)

• Ask Dr. Eric: Is it possible to heal your gut without spending money on functional gut tests?

Skin Conditions + Thyroid Health: The Connection You Can’t Ignore

It’s very common for people with thyroid conditions—whether hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroidism, or Graves’ disease—to experience changes in their skin. While dry skin is probably the best-known symptom, other skin concerns such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, rosacea, and hives are also frequently seen.

In fact, as skin expert Dr. Julie Greenberg highlighted in our past interview, the skin often provides early clues about what’s happening inside the body: “When you see issues on the skin, it’s usually telling you something deeper about the gut, the thyroid, and the immune system.”

With this in mind, let’s explore how different skin conditions connect to thyroid health and autoimmunity.

Dry Skin. Dry, flaky skin is more often associated with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, since thyroid hormone plays an essential role in maintaining skin integrity. When thyroid hormone levels fall, the skin barrier suffers. Correcting hormone imbalances often improves dryness.

In Graves’ disease, dry skin usually has less to do with hormone levels and more to do with the autoimmune activity driving the condition. On the flip side, some people with hyperthyroidism struggle with excess sweating (hyperhidrosis), which leaves the skin moist and irritated.

Acne. Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder worldwide. Conventional treatments—antibiotics, topical antimicrobials, and hormonal therapies—may reduce symptoms but rarely address the root causes.

For people with thyroid conditions, hormonal imbalances and dietary triggers play a big role. Dairy products, in particular, are strongly associated with acne, since they contain hormones that can disrupt the delicate endocrine balance. Insulin resistance is another contributing factor, and this too can be tied to diet and metabolic health.

Supporting gut health, balancing blood sugar, and eliminating dairy often make a meaningful difference.

Eczema. Research on supplements and herbs for eczema is mixed, but in practice, many patients see improvements through dietary changes. From a functional medicine perspective, eczema often reflects a leaky skin barrier that parallels a leaky gut barrier—a connection Dr. Greenberg emphasized.

Herbal supports like burdock and nettle may help in some cases, though the foundation is always a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet that reduces triggers.

Vitiligo. Vitiligo is an autoimmune process that attacks melanocytes, the skin’s pigment-producing cells. It frequently coexists with autoimmune thyroid disease and often appears before thyroid conditions are formally diagnosed. For that reason, it’s wise to check thyroid antibodies in anyone with vitiligo.

While modulating the autoimmune response is central, some evidence also suggests Ginkgo biloba may support repigmentation.

Pretibial Myxedema. This skin manifestation occurs in a small percentage of people with Graves’ disease, often alongside thyroid eye disease. It is characterized by swelling and thickening of the skin, usually in the shins but sometimes extending to other areas.

Addressing diet, reducing immune triggers like gluten and dairy, and calming autoimmunity can be very helpful in managing this condition.

Psoriasis. Psoriasis causes red, irritated patches of skin and has long been suspected to have an autoimmune basis. For people with Graves’ or Hashimoto’s, addressing the autoimmune component often brings skin relief.

Interestingly, some studies show a relationship between H. pylori infection and psoriasis,¹ so testing and treatment for this pathogen may be warranted.

Rosacea. Rosacea is a chronic skin condition characterized by facial redness, swelling, and acne-like lesions. While conventional medicine sometimes uses antibiotics, functional strategies focus on diet, gut health, and inflammation.

Dr. Greenberg noted that both rosacea and acne are often linked to gut imbalances and infections—particularly H. pylori. Anti-inflammatory supports like fish oil supplements and turmeric, alongside autoimmune regulation, are often more effective long term.

Lichen Planus. This inflammatory, autoimmune skin condition affects the skin, mouth, scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. Research has linked it more strongly with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism,² although I have seen it in some of my Graves' disease patients. While conventional treatment relies on steroids, functional care emphasizes diet cleanup, stress reduction, and immune modulation. Green tea extract may also provide benefit in oral cases.

Urticaria (Hives). Chronic hives lasting more than six weeks are significantly associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Conventional treatments involve antihistamines and, in severe cases, steroids or immunosuppressants. Functionally, the focus is on calming the immune system and identifying hidden triggers.

Summary

Skin conditions are not only cosmetic concerns—they’re windows into thyroid and gut health. Sometimes they develop after a thyroid condition begins, but often they appear before thyroid problems are diagnosed, serving as an early warning sign.

To support skin and thyroid health together:

✅ Prioritize a nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet.

✅ Identify and eliminate common triggers (like gluten, dairy, and environmental toxins).

✅ Support the gut microbiome and repair the gut barrier.

✅ Use supplements and herbs strategically to reduce inflammation.

✅ Focus on modulating the autoimmune response at its root.

As Dr. Greenberg puts it, “Healthy skin starts with a healthy gut and thyroid.” When we address the whole system, skin issues often become one of the first signs of healing.

Not All Gut Healing Supplements Are The Same

Since most of the immune cells are located in the gut, a healthy gut is essential for a healthy immune system. In fact, Hippocrates himself said that “all disease begins in the gut”. And so whether someone has Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or another health condition, having a healthy gut is important to achieve optimal health.

When choosing a gut healing supplement you want one that does the following:

• Promotes optimal function of the GI lining

• Rejuvenates health of intestinal mucosa

• Supports healthy inflammatory response

• Builds immune support

• Thyroid-friendly ingredients

The Gut Healing Bundle includes the following:

SMT-GI Restore. Combines effective clinical levels of well-researched (and thyroid-friendly) nutrients and botanicals specifically formulated to support optimal gastrointestinal health and function without any added flavors, colors, sweeteners, gums or common allergens.

Enzymes Plus. Comprised of a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes along with betaine HCL and ox bile to support optimal digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Also contains the special protease DPP IV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV), which aids in the breakdown of the peptides gluteomorphin (from gluten) and casomorphin (from casein). Although you don’t need to be experiencing digestive symptoms to use Enzymes Plus, it may be helpful for those who experience gas and bloating after eating, occasional constipation or diarrhea, or a feeling of fullness after eating.

SMT-Probio. Choosing a good quality and effective probiotic can be a challenge, as there are so many probiotic supplements on the market. Unfortunately many probiotic supplements only list the species, and not the specific strains. Others list the strains but aren’t diverse or potent enough. SMT-Probio Complete provide 18 different strains belonging to 13 different species of three different genera. For consumer convenience, this formula is available encapsulated at a maintenance dose of 45 billion CFUs per capsule. The HOWARU and FloraFIT strains that comprise these formulas are stable, proven, and trusted worldwide.

To learn more about The Gut Healing Bundle visit www.guthealingbundle.com

Save My Thyroid Podcast Review

I have a podcast called "Save My Thyroid", where I discuss how people with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's can save their thyroid and regain their health. And during each edition of this newsletter I'll briefly discuss a recent podcast episode.

In a recent podcast episode I discussed how certain dental procedures might play a role in thyroid autoimmunity, and in some people might be the reason why their thyroid antibodies won’t decrease.

In the episode I’ll explain what mercury amalgams are, why some people feel better after removing them, and why others do not. We’ll also cover the debate around root canals and whether they can create ongoing immune stress. The focus isn’t on quick fixes but on helping you think through risks and benefits so you can decide what makes the most sense for your healing journey.

Ask Dr. Eric

During every issue I'll answer a question or two that I think can benefit most people with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition. If you'd like for me to consider your question for a future edition of this newsletter email your question to [email protected].

QUESTION: CAN I HEAL MY GUT WITHOUT DOING FUNCTIONAL GUT TESTING?

Dr. Eric, is it possible to heal my gut without spending money on functional gut testing?

Thanks for your question! In a previous newsletter, I discussed three of the most common functional gut tests: the comprehensive stool analysis, SIBO breath test, and organic acids test (OAT). While the organic acids test evaluates several metabolic markers, only the first page is directly relevant to gut health—measuring yeast, fungal markers, and strains of Clostridia.

Although I like these tests and use them on some of the people I work with, I want to be clear that I don’t recommend functional gut testing to every patient.

Not Every Case Requires Gut Testing

It’s easy to argue that everyone with Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s should do a comprehensive stool test—after all, over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, and gut health is essential for immune regulation.

However, the reality is that not everyone will have significant findings on these tests to justify the cost. In fact, when I personally dealt with Graves’ disease, I didn’t run any of these functional gut tests myself—and still was able to restore my health. But of course everyone is different, and some people really can benefit from having these tests done.

When Is Functional Gut Testing Necessary?

How do I determine when gut testing is needed? I covered this in detail in a previous newsletter (click here to read), but here’s a quick summary:

If someone has persistent digestive symptoms that don’t improve with dietary changes, suspected SIBO, or other signs of gut dysfunction that persist despite foundational work, functional testing may be appropriate. Or if their thyroid antibodies aren't decreasing after following the initial recommendations, then such testing should be considered.

But can you treat without testing? The short answer is yes. While it's always ideal to test rather than guess, that doesn’t mean treatment can't be started without a formal diagnosis.

For example, if I strongly suspect SIBO based on symptoms, I might recommend an herbal protocol without running a breath test—especially if testing isn’t financially feasible.

The Downsides of Not Testing

There are a few important limitations when it comes to skipping testing:

You might treat the wrong thing. If you assume someone has a particular infection or overgrowth—such as H. pylori, parasites, Candida, or SIBO—but they don’t, the treatment might not be effective (and can delay healing).

You lose a baseline for comparison. Testing gives you objective data. If symptoms improve but aren’t fully resolved, a retest can show whether the treatment is moving the needle—especially useful with conditions like SIBO, where methane or hydrogen levels can be tracked over time.

Yes, improvements in symptoms can often indicate whether a treatment is working—but not always. Testing provides an extra level of certainty and helps refine the path forward.

That said, while functional gut testing can offer valuable insights and speed up the healing process, it’s not mandatory in every case. Many people can make significant progress by starting with foundational steps—improving their diet, reducing inflammation, taking some basic supplements to support the gut such as probiotics and a digestive enzyme.

However, if symptoms persist despite these efforts, or if you want a clearer roadmap to healing, testing may be the logical next step. Functional medicine is all about personalization—and that includes your approach to testing.

Additional Thyroid-Related Resources

Click Here for Can Dental Work Keep Thyroid Antibodies High? (episode 213)

Click Here for Skin Conditions and Thyroid Health (episode 65)

Click Here to access hundreds of thyroid-related articles and blog posts

Click Here to join the Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s community

Click Here to purchase one of Dr. Eric’s thyroid-related books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric and his team

📚References:

(1) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11659017/ 

(2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11934608/

That’s a wrap