The thyroid gland secretes hormones that affect every cell in the human body. When your thyroid hormones are low, it affects almost every function in your body, including your bones, muscles, and joints. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause joint pain, interfering with a person’s ability to work, exercise, and function daily. Even with medicinal treatment, joint discomfort can be an issue for some hypothyroid people.
If you are experiencing joint pain and thinking, could it be due to my hypothyroidism? Yes, it could be. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Hypothyroidism
It is a thyroid disorder in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a bit butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of your neck. Despite its modest size, this endocrine gland is essential in controlling cellular metabolism and energy production. Thyroid hormones also aid in the regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.
Causes
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that falsely causes your immune system to destroy your thyroid cells, is the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism. Chronic thyroid inflammation causes cells to become unable to produce enough thyroid hormones over time. When thyroid hormone levels are low, every physiological function suffers.
Symptoms
- Sadness and depression
- Fatigue
- Cold Intolerance
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Hair thinning
- Dry or flaky skin
- High cholesterol levels
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- Increased weight
- Heartburn
- Gallstones
- Stomach bloating
- Constipation
- Irregular menstrual period
- Infertility
- Joint pain or joint stiffness
- Muscle weakness or muscle pain
Joint Pain Due to Hypothyroidism
Effect on Tissue Formation
Hypothyroidism’s musculoskeletal symptoms can range from nonspecific muscle and joint aches to actual muscle illness or arthritis. Thyroid hormones have an essential role in developing various tissues, including bone and cartilage reproduction and growth, at the cellular level. The knees and hands are the most commonly reported joint pain and discomfort areas in adult hypothyroid individuals.
More than One Autoimmune Disorder
Polyautoimmunity, or the occurrence of more than one autoimmune illness in a single patient, could also explain joint pain symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. Other autoimmune disorders are sometimes diagnosed in people with autoimmune thyroid disease. While the coexistence of autoimmune disorders is unknown, genetics may have a significant impact.
In Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent concurrent autoimmune disease. There appears to be a connection between hypothyroidism and autoimmune disorders affecting your joints, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Fluid Buildup in the Joints
Most autoimmune diseases generate inflammation in the body due to the immune system’s hyperactivity. Fluid can often accumulate in the interstitial compartments (also known as “tissue spaces”) around tissue cells in hypothyroid patients, causing water retention and possibly weight gain. When the body is inflamed, this swelling might occur. Fluid buildup in the tissues around the nerves can cause compression, resulting in nerve injury and pain, and stiffness.
Other hypothyroidism-related causes of joint pain:
Joint discomfort is frequent in various medical diseases, and an injury or trauma frequently causes it to the muscles or joints surrounding the joint. Sedentism can also be harmful to your joints.
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Bone or joint infection
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Infectious diseases such as hepatitis and influenza
- Lupus
- Osteoporosis.
- Sarcoidosis
- Tendonitis
Tips for Reducing Hypothyroidism Joint Pain
If joint pain prevents you from doing what you enjoy, there are ways to alleviate your hypothyroidism joint pain.
Control Your Hypothyroidism
Finding the proper type and dose of thyroid hormone replacement medicine may be the first step in controlling thyroid dysfunction symptoms such as joint pain. Remember that your thyroid affects every cell in your body, and a lack of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream can cause various unpleasant symptoms. Identify items that cause inflammation for you if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, such as specific foods, stress, lack of sleep, or illness.
Find Out Other Factors
Joint discomfort is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, and it is, however, a defining symptom of a wide range of different medical disorders. If you have Hashimoto’s, you are more likely to get RA. Other health concerns may necessitate different treatment strategies; thus, it is critical to consult your doctor to identify any additional conditions.
Begin With Low-Impact Activities
Begin with slower, low-impact activities such as water aerobics, riding, or walking to get your joints and muscles working.
Muscle-Building Exercises
You must strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints once you can withstand low-impact workouts. For example, if you have knee pain, strengthening your leg muscles will protect and stabilize the joint.
Manage Your Diet
Diet is important for thyroid health, especially if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. To lessen the intensity of your thyroid symptoms and maintain a healthy weight, try a thyroid-friendly diet.
Get Enough Sleep
Exercise can help you feel more invigorated, so make sure you receive enough quality sleep so you can get moving.
Reduce your tension.
Finding techniques to reduce stress in your life will positively impact your health, mind, and soul.
You can also get expert advice from Orthopedic surgeons to get help in managing your joint pain. Make an appointment with the Best orthopedic surgeon through Marham.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- Can hypothyroidism produce joint inflammation?
People with unmanaged hypothyroidism can develop joint swelling due to fluid buildup caused by slowed metabolism, which can cause joint pain.
2- What vitamin alleviates joint pain?
The anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D aid in the relief of joint discomfort. Vitamin D can also help manage autoimmune joint disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Type 1 diabetes.
3- Can arthritis occur due to thyroid problems?
One of the most common reasons for hypothyroidism is Hashimoto thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism has been linked to osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory types of arthritis, as well as several well-defined connective tissue illnesses that can lead to arthritis.
