Osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism

teresagrove

Hi

I am 53 and suddenly had severe onset of osteoarthritis - was only aware of it mildly in my knee for a while. Began getting sharp groin pains in the summer - saw a physio in November - then was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the hip resulting in total hip replacement in February. The surgeon said it was one of the worst he'd seen - no joint space at all - and I'd been unaware!

I now know I havearthritis in both ankles, both knees, both elbows and right shoulder, wrist and thumb.

For years I have been tested for hypothyroidism - and have always been found to be 'low end of normal range' or 'on the cusp'. I have now been told there are definite links between the two and to ask GP to prescribe thyroxine as this will also help my arthritis.

Do you know of any links and should I ask for this?

Many thanks

Teresa

helpline_team

Dear Theresa,

Thank you for your enquiry to Arthritis Care. We are familiar with the point about low thyroid levels being associated with pain and low energy, but not with it being linked to an acceleration of the degenerative process. If you feel your throid levels may need treatment then your GP/specialist may need to be consulted.

We would not be the right people to recommend information on the thyroid side of things.

If you would like some more information on your arthritis do see our booklets http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Listedbytype/Booklets
or if you email helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk with your full name and postal address we can send you one of our information packs (do say osteoarthritis, so we know what information you'd like.

I hope that is helpful
Guy

elnafinn

Hi Theresa

I am a member of this forum and have osteo arthritis. I too had thyroid problems, as a teenager and had a nodular goitre removed at the age of 16. For 43 years I have taken thyroxine. The dosage has varied over the years from time to time. Now I take a much lesser dosage than I used to. I have never been told that the two may be linked. I have over the past two years had two total knee replacements. There is the Thyroid Foundation and also Thyroid Forums, that you could google, if you are interested to know more about that side of things.

Welcome to this forum and I hope to see your name on the other zones soon.

I wish you well,
Elna x

teresagrove

Thank you

Since my first posting I have googled the subject too and found this:-


Osteoarthritis in women is clearly linked to hormonal irregularities, which is why the most effective natural and non-toxic protocols for menopausal problems work so well with arthritis in women. As proof of this, estrogen dominance also coincides with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (see Hypothyroidism). Those with hypothyroidism are known to have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis as time proceeds.

Teresa

elnafinn

Hi Teresa (sorry I spelt your name incorrectly the first time :oops: )

From being on this forum a number of years I have noticed from postings that we often suffer with more than one auto-immune disease. On having a quick look at a thyroid forum earlier today, some people are mentioning they have one or two of the "arthritises" too.

Keep on, keeping on!

Elna x