From Rashes to Brittle Bones: Unusual Endocrinological Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

I was recently speaking to an endocrinologist and she said something that was kind of predictable—People do not know what I do. Most of the time, they think that I play with hormones like testosterone and estrogen and treat sex disorders. While it is a fact that endocrinologists deal with hormones, they do not always deal with sex, behaviour or mood issues. Conditions like high blood pressure, skin rash and even osteoporosis could be triggered by hormonal imbalances in the body. And, thus it is pivotal to pay attention to everyday symptoms that could mean the same. Here are a few:

A Racing Heart

Noticing your heart pounding out of nowhere? Many people rush to a cardiologist when this happens. However, according to Dr. Rachel Pessah-Pollack, an endocrinologist at NYU School of Medicine, who spoke to a leading US media organization, a racing heart could be a sign of hyperthyroidism. Some patients report palpitations or feeling winded and then check their fitness tracker to find their heart rate is consistently over 100 beats per minute.

The good news? If an overactive thyroid is to blame, there are plenty of treatment options—from medication to surgery. In some cases, like thyroiditis triggered by illness (including COVID-19), it may even resolve on its own.

Itchy Rash and Constant Thirst

Young people sometimes with an itchy and irritating rash in their private parts show up at the doctor's office thinking they have a groin infection. But if the rash comes with extreme thirst or hunger, it is diabetes that might be the real culprit. Yeast infections thrive on high blood sugar and if left untreated diabetes can make things worse.

New-Onset Anxiety

Have you always been calm but recently felt gripped by unexplained anxiety? It could be more than stress. Dr. Pessah-Pollack underscored that patients who experience extreme worry and even shaky hands because of hyperthyroidism. Paired with symptoms like weight changes or trouble sleeping, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.

A Hump Between Your Shoulders

Noticing a hump at the base of your neck? This could be a sign of Cushing syndrome, caused by high cortisol levels. While this condition often leads to rapid weight gain, it doesn’t always show up in obvious places. Instead, you might see changes like a "moon face," thin arms and legs, or stretch marks. If you suspect this, your doctor can test cortisol levels and identify what’s causing the imbalance, whether it’s medication, a tumour, or another factor.

Sudden Fractures

Breaking a bone from something as minor as a cough or a gentle bump? Fragility fractures like these might be linked to osteoporosis or a lack of essential nutrients like vitamin D or calcium. While most people might run to a bone and joint specialist, it is important to see an endocrinologist. tumour

Feeling Too Hot Or Too Cold

Do you sweat like crazy when you never used to? Or maybe you’re suddenly freezing, even in a warm room? These shifts might be tied to your thyroid. Hyperthyroidism often causes excessive sweating, while hypothyroidism slows your metabolism, leaving you perpetually cold.

Thinning Eyebrows

Losing the outer part of your eyebrows is a classic sign of hypothyroidism, as per experts. While it’s frustrating to notice, treatment can restore both your thyroid function and your hair.

Struggling With Peripheral Vision

If you feel like you’re seeing the world through a tunnel, it could be a sign of a pituitary tumour. These benign growths can press on the optic nerve, causing vision issues. Dr Kazlauskaite often sees men realize something’s wrong after a car accident or another close call on the road, while women may notice hormonal changes first.

Extremely High Blood Pressure

Dangerously high blood pressure spikes, especially when paired with sweating or tremors, could signal adrenal gland tumours like pheochromocytomas. These are rare but serious conditions that require prompt attention.