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Thyroid Autoimmunity and Joint Pain

Rheumatic Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

Jul 19, 2009 Jim Lowrance

Muscle and joint aches and stiffness can be chronic in some thyroid patients. These rheumatic symptoms may need special attention if unrelieved with thyroid treatment.

Joint and muscle aches are a common manifestation of thyroid disorders of both the hyperthyroid and hypothyroid types. Medical research on the connection of rheumatic symptoms to thyroid disorders has revealed that it can be a result of “thyroid autoimmunity” rather than thyroid hormone imbalance alone. The studies also make mention of the fact that some patients whose thyroid imbalances are corrected to a euthyroid state, meaning normal thyroid hormone levels, may continue to experience a degree of rheumatic symptoms.

Rheumatic Manifestations with Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Fibromyalgia often associated with Thyroid Disorders

Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are often found to have a degree of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid autoimmunity (antibodies) and some statistics have shown this connection to be as high as in 75% of cases. A diagnostic, criteria for FMS, are “tender points”, which are various points on the body where muscles attach to bones and these are painful when pressed-on with a fingertip. FMS can be diagnosed when a patient is found to have at least 11 tender points in the body. Hypothyroid patients also report experiencing these tender points when their thyroid hormone levels become low due to a need for a thyroid hormone dose increase, while others continue to experience them even when well-treated. This fact demonstrates the importance in doctors who suspect FMS in patients, ordering thyroid function tests to further evaluate them.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis is present in an Elevated Percentage of FM Patients

Rheumatic Symptoms when Adjusting to a Thyroid Hormone Dose

There is an adjustment period that occurs when newly treated hypothyroid patients are started on a dose of thyroid replacement hormone. Rheumatic symptoms affecting muscle and joints can flare during this period of adjustment to thyroid hormone coming into the body from an outside source (oral dosing). For most patients the adjustment side-effects resolve in about an eight-week period but for others, their bodies may take longer to adjust to a new dose. This can also be true of a patient already being treated, who is given a dose increase or decrease in follow-up to their monitored treatment. Once the thyroid dose is fully adjusted-to, rheumatic symptoms should improve significantly or resolve completely.

Treatment for Unresolved Rheumatic Symptoms in Thyroid Patients

If joint and muscle aches, stiffness, swelling or redness continues in thyroid patients who are well-treated, their doctor may need to thoroughly evaluate them for the possibility of other rheumatic diseases being present. If thyroid disease is the autoimmune type, a patient is at higher risk for developing other autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis. If these type conditions and their needed treatments are ruled out, the treatment for thyroid-related rheumatic symptoms would be that used to treat mild forms of arthritis. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve symptoms, as well as mild well-tolerated exercise that, keeps joints and muscles stretched and mobile. Supplementing with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, two natural remedies has been shown to improve rheumatic and arthritic conditions. Getting plenty of rest and sleep can also help keep inflammation levels better controlled. A diet low in refined sugar and rich in foods containing “Beta-cryptoxanthin” and “Zeaxanthin” (carotenoids) can also be beneficial in relieving rheumatic conditions. These would be fruits containing orange and yellow colors and green-leafy vegetables.

The copyright of the article Thyroid Autoimmunity and Joint Pain in General Medicine is owned by Jim Lowrance. Permission to republish Thyroid Autoimmunity and Joint Pain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Arthritis & Rheumatism