New question - Addison's and SFN?
 

Hi all. Been keeping busy so not on much. Hope everyone is well.

Short history: I have have hyperpigmented skin on my neck, arms and low back since I was a young teenager. I have recently noticed that the dark skin on my arms has reverse freckles, they are almost pure white - known as hypopigmentation. Doing my own bit of research, the hyper and hypo pigmentation along with the fact that I've had grey hair since I was around 25 plus the low BP and goiter point in the direction of Addison's. In all my tests, they've never checked hormone levels so this is just a guess.

My question for those of you in the know, could untreated Addison's disease (or any adrenal insufficiency) cause small fiber neuropathy?

Again, just guessing and would need to discuss with a doctor. I was told that my SFN is most likely caused by an undiagnosed Autoimmune and since they've tested everything but my adrenal output - I have to wonder if that's the missing link?

Certainly you can get tests from a doctor. I'd evaluate thyroid too.
Early graying can be from low folate intake, and often occurs with thyroid disease. The goiter is a rather obvious sign of thyroid trouble too. I had a right sided goiter, due to the fact my left lobe of the thyroid was not functioning properly. It receded when I was given levothyroxine.

pigmentation in those locations can also be from insulin resistance:
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologi...s_nigrica.html

My mother had this discoloration, and it is not so dark in Caucasian people. She had diabetes.

I, on the other hand, with insulin resistance for many years, do not have this.

Another cause of pigmentation of the skin is hemochromatosis:
This link shows the bronzing skin color in a light skinned woman who was misdiagnosed as Melasma (mask of pregnancy).
She in fact had hemochromatosis:

http://www.blisstree.com/articles/mi...tion-shift-28/
Hemachromatosis can cause neuropathy.

Skin pigmentation also may occur with tinea versicolor, which is a mild fungal skin condition.

So there are many causes.

Lower back pigmentation may occur with spina bifida or spina bifida occulta.

So a good evaluation by a doctor would be in order, to accurately determine if your bronzing is adrenal or another cause.