Skin Collagen and Thickness in Hyperthyroidism and Myxoedema

Summary Skin thickness, collagen content and density have been measured in patients with thyrotoxicosis and myxoedema. In hyperthyroidism the skin was of normal thickness but the absolute collagen content and density of collagen were both increased as was the percentage collagen content. In myxoedema both absolute percentage collagen content and density remained normal but the skin thickness was significantly increased and this correlated well with the severity of hypothyroidism and response to treatment.