Dry skin is a well-known symptom of hypothyroidism, as well as Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. In the WTS philosophy, dry skin may be attributable to the “survival mode” the body enters when metabolism slows and low body temperature sets in. As the body strives to conserve energy, it cuts down on some of the more expendable functions that are not absolutely necessary for survival. The skin is among the first energy “budget cuts” the body makes.

As the largest organ in the human body, the skin consumes a tremendous amount of energy. However, the skin is quite durable and can continue to function for many weeks in “low energy mode.”  Although body conserves significant energy by diverting power away from the skin to more life-essential functions, the tradeoff is that skin may become dry, coarse, and scaly.  The skin may become so dry that a WTS patient may be able to write one’s name by gently scraping one’s fingernail across the skin.

Interestingly, the skin on either side of the nose and underlying the eyebrows (overlying the sinuses) is quite susceptible to being dry.  Since the sinuses are where air passes through the head, the skin over the sinuses is slightly cooler than other sites of the body.  This skin frequently can become dry because its enzymes might then not function as well, leaving the maintenance level of the skin less than ideal.

Similarly, the areas over the elbows, knees, backs of the hands, knuckles, fingers, feet, heels, and soles of the feet are frequent areas where dry skin will be found.  These areas also tend to be cooler in relation to the rest of the body because of their position in the extremities away from the core of the body, and also because they overlie bone (there is a decreased volume of blood flow to these areas).

Dry skin can also be widespread in those with Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome, however. It’s an itchy situation. So many WTS patients are constantly applying various brands of moisturizing creams to no avail. But the real solution may not be an external lotion, but an internal temperature normalization.

Therefore, go to one of the doctors on our list and get T3 therapy and see if it helps you with your low body temperature and dry skin.