By Bunmi Sofola

Shrinking eyebrows: If you’re losing the outer ends of your eyebrows and your face is puffy, particularly around the eyes, it would be the first sign of an underactive thyroid gland. Dr. Parijat De, a consultant endocrinologist says: ‘An underactive thyroid is common, especially among women in middle age, but other telltale signs such as tiredness, weight gain, and dry skin and nails, can come on so slowly that you don’t realise they’re a problem.

Read Also: Dear Bunmi, my weight is making me push hubby away 

What to do: See your doctor for a blood test. If an underactive thyroid is confirmed, a synthetic version of the hormone thyroxin will probably be prescribed to get your metabolism back on tract. Most people feel much better after about two weeks but you’ll have to stay on the pills for life.

Gaunt Face: A thin anxious – looking face – sometimes with bulging eyes – is a sign of an overactive thyroid. This means you’re producing too much thyroxin. Dr. De says: “Other signs are losing weight despite eating a lot, excessive shaking and sweating, a rapid heart bit that keeps you awake at night, loose bowels, and constant anxiety and fidgetiness.’

What to do: See your doctor for a blood test. Anti-thyroid medication can keep the thyroxin production in check.

Facial Hair: Some of us are naturally hairier than others, but the most common medical reason for facial hair is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCDS). Dr. De says: “In that case, you’d also expect to be gaining weight and suffering with spotty skin and period problems. ”Very sudden hair growth needs urgent medical advice as it could be a sign of a tumour on your adrenal glands or ovaries, or a condition called Cushing’s syndrome.”

What to do: If you have any new facial hair growth needing regular shaving or waxing, see your doctor for a diagnosis. PCOS is best treated with weight loss, although sometimes the diabetes drug Metformin may be prescribed. If your doctor suspects a tumour, you will need to see a specialist for further tests and scan.

Shiny spot that won’t go away: This could be basal cell carcinoma – the most common of skin cancer – especially if you’ve had a lot of sun exposure in your life. Paul Banwell, Head of the Melanoma and Sin Cancer unit at Queen Victoria Hospital, West Sussex says: “Left untreated, the spot can get bigger, then start to itch and bleed, eventually – though rarely – eroding parts of the face. It is a very slow-growing cancer, but does not need to be surgically removed.

What to do: See your doctor for a referral to a specialist. If it is cancer, you will need an operation.

An ugly mole: A mole that changes shape, size or colour could be a malignat melanoma. “This is the most notorious type of cancer.

What to do: See your doctor for an urgent referral – and be sure to protect your face well in the future by regularly applying high-SPF sun cream.

Spots on your eyelids: These are called xanthelasma and are caused by a build-up of fats in the blood. “Xanthelasma are a sign that you could have high cholesterol,” says the expert.

What to do: Ask your doctor for a blood test. If your cholesterol levels are high, you may need medication.

The whites of your eyes look yellow: This is a sign of jaundice caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood and body tissue. It is often due to conditions affecting the liver, such as gallstones, hepatitis of cirrhosis.

Vanguard News