A health expert with millions of TikTok followers has warned that thinning eyebrows could be a cause for concern
If you have noticed your eyebrows thinning, the reason might not be cosmetic. According to a doctor with millions of followers on TikTok, it could actually be your body indicating a crucial nutrient deficiency.
The alert comes from Dr Eric Berg, a health guru with over 2.3 million followers and 30.7 million likes on TikTok, as well as approximately 14 million subscribers on YouTube. In a recent video, he informed viewers: “Thinning eyebrows, especially on the outer third is an iodine deficiency.”
This specific pattern is widely recognised in medicine. Doctors refer to it as the ‘Hertoghe sign’ or ‘Queen Anne’s sign’, which denotes thinning or loss of the outer third of the eyebrows.
According to Medical News Today, this symptom is often associated with thyroid issues. The outer edge of the eyebrow is the area most commonly affected when thyroid hormone levels are low.
Iodine plays a vital role because this mineral is required to produce thyroid hormones. Without sufficient iodine, the thyroid cannot generate enough hormones, potentially leading to an underactive thyroid and symptoms including hair thinning.
These hormones also regulate the growth cycle of hair follicles. As per Healthline, low thyroid hormone levels can prevent hair follicles from regenerating properly, which may result in hair loss on the scalp and eyebrows.
When hormone levels decline, hairs can enter the resting phase of their growth cycle prematurely. Experts suggest this disruption may result in fragile hair and visible thinning along the outer eyebrow.
Iodine deficiency continues to be a worldwide health concern despite contemporary diets. Research referenced by the World Health Organization suggests approximately two billion people globally may have inadequate iodine intake, though severe deficiency is now rarer in developed nations.
The condition can trigger a broad spectrum of symptoms beyond hair loss. Tiredness, weight gain, dry skin and sensitivity to cold are also frequently associated with low thyroid hormone levels resulting from iodine deficiency.
Dr Berg’s video prompted numerous reactions from viewers online. One person joked: “I’m deficient in everything.
“Thin eyebrows but I was a 2000s teenager,” another wrote, referencing the thin brow trend of the era. Several viewers thanked the doctor for highlighting the symptom.
One commented: “Thank you so much Dr Berg,” whilst others felt the warning was personal: “Bro called me out,” a viewer admitted.