A 42-year-old Hispanic female visits her primary care physician for early menopause. She denies changes in her menstrual cycles but reports hot flashes. A physical exam is notable for warm, moist,...

A 42-year-old Hispanic female visits her primary care physician for early menopause. She denies changes in her menstrual cycles but reports hot flashes. A physical exam is notable for warm, moist, velvety skin, with hair loss and waxy translucent plaques over her anterior lower legs. What is the underlying etiology of her skin findings?

A. An excess of thyroid hormone

B. A deficiency of thyroid hormone

C. Diabetes

D. Blood lipid abnormalities