Hi. About 6 weeks ago my forehead started looking like in the pictures below. I'm very lean and sporty (weightlifting and various forms of cardio) and the arteries became prominent when I lost some weight. I have hollow temples and so I have some veins visible as well (not in the pictures, though). I went to a GP but she said I would have some inflammation, I don't. The GP said it's just the way I look (wasn't very happy about this as people now seem to think I'm either a drug junkie or a hothead...). My blood pressure is 110/70. I'm 30 years old. Male. Any ideas? Regards.
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Hello Vojtek, we aren't medics on here so are not able to answer your question as to whether or not you have Temporal Arteritis or any other condition. What we can say is that those of us who have experienced TA/GCA (Temporal Arteritis/Giant Cell Arteritis) usually suffer head pain, sometimes described as "pain like no other" plus sometimes with jaw pain on chewing and pain or changes in our vision. Without any of these symptoms, it is unlikely to be TA. In your GP saying that you "do not have any inflammation", is she saying this as a result of doing blood tests for inflammatory markers, specifically ESR and CRP? it is usual for the CRP in particular to be raised in the case of TA, but not always. Your BP is also perfectly normal - mine went through the roof pre-diagnosis. For extra reassurance, have you been to see an ophthalmologist, or at least a good optician who can check the back of your eyes for any sign of problems with the optic nerve? If not, do check this out, and then just remain alert for any of the problems mentioned above - certainly if you notice any changes in your vision, such as pain or blurriness, then seek emergency advice, at A&E if necessary.
If you are 30 years old the chances of it being GCA (temporal arteritis) are very small. It is predominantly a disease of the elderly (over 50) although it does sometimes happen younger so I won't say it can't be.
If you were to have it then I doubt it would be your appearance you'd be primarily complaining of, it makes you feel very ill and causes severe headaches as well as other quite typical symptoms.