Thyroid problems

nanasue

Hi all,
Hope everyone is having a good(ish) weekend. I'm having almost constant niggling pain, it's more of a nuisance than anything, but hey-ho life goes on. After seeing several different posts on here I'm wondering how many people have had thyroid problems and then developed RA or had RA and then developed thyroid problems, I'm sure there's a connection and it would be interesting to find out. I had thyroid problems and just before I had an op to remove it I found out I had RA, I did think at the time it could be connected as it's all immune system related. I'm not suggesting that if you have one you will get the other, I'm just interested to find out how many people have had the same.

Sue x

diamond

Hi Nanasue,like you i think there could be a connection.I was diagonsed 5yrs ago with extremely under active thyroid.At moment i take 150 mg thyroxine.I have O A and imflammatory arthritis.I felt joint pain was better on lower dosage but doc says i need this amount.Will be interesting to see if more people post on this.x

PatriciaH

Hi Nanasue

I was diagnosed with RA about a year ago but for many years before I was going to the doctor with joint/muscle ache and extreme tiredness.

About seven years ago my thyroid test came back with underactive and was up and down for a while but then went back into the 'normal' range. However, they discovered a high level of thyroid antibodies which never go away apparently. I wasn't given any treatment and was told most of my symptoms were down to stress!!!!! I am convinced that my thryroid doesn't work properly even now and perhaps if the Doc had treated it back then my illness may not have progressed. Like you I do think there is a connection....x

elnafinn

I had a nodular goitre removed at the age of 16 and have been on thyroxine in differing dosages since then (now 60 years old) and later on was diagnosed with OA.

Elna x

resusjan

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid 3 years ago and put on thyroxine, then diagnosed with RA this year - there is a definate link with them both being autoimmune conditions. Not definate that you will get both but a higher chance of developing a second condition if already diagnosed with one.

Jan

nanarose

Add me to the list too, but I have PsA not RA.
Although I'm not at present on anything for my under active thyroid, my doc says that it's just a matter of time before I will.
It seems that it's quite a common problem, and surely must be connected. x

tiggernut

Hi Sue,

Yes I was diagnosed with RA and about 6 months later I was diagnosed with an underactive thryroid.(27 years ago)
However, I probably had it longer than that because I'd had a blood test a couple of months before and they sent back the results saying check for clinical signs of thyroid failure, (I found that out by accident) but in there wisdom they decided I never had any of the normal symptons so didn't follow it up.
It was only when I had to be admitted into hospital that they tested for just about everything!! Even then when the result came back my rhuemy said "I can't believe you have this condition you have none of the typical signs".In fact he sent me to get my photo taken. (not sure what for)
I started on 150mcgs of thyroxine and now have 125mcgms
My GP told me it is connected to Arthritis along with a load of other crappy things we could get!!
Anita.

towyview

Hi,

I`m another candidate. I`ve been diagnosed with RA since I`ve had an under active thyroid. Having a thyroid problem can cause may other problems. I have recently had surgery for an ulnar nerve entrapment. When I first saw the ortho surgeon he said it might be caused by my thyroid ( can`t see the connection myself ). He offered to do the surgery but he couldn`t guarantee it`s success. I still have the problem so it seems he was possibly right.

Very odd!!

Dorothy

kellerman

Hi,
Me too, been on Thyroxine for at least 12 years.
I probably have OA but haven't seen specialist yet. Appointment in October. I also have OP.
GP said thyroid, another first said chemo and then said genetic.
Who knows cos I don't.
May

fayrose

I also have RA and underactive thyroid and my rheumatologist said there is without doubt a connection.

wannabewriter

I'm joining the party!

OA, fibro, hashimoto's hypothyroidism. I'm finally seeing an endocrinologist this week, as my rheumy said there is a connection and that if I see an endo to get the best treatment for my thyroid there is a chance my symptoms (especially fibro ones) will significantly improve, as hypothyroidism and joint/muscle aches go hand in hand, as I'm sure you all know.

I know I do feel a lot better when my thyroxine meds are at a level which makes my bloods err towards hyPER (but still in the normal ranges), this makes my muscle aches and the brain fog significantly reduce.

I'm so interested in this link, and it's really good to know I'm not the only one out there like this!

x

williamlargs

I was diagnosed with an over active thyroid in 1999 after losing a lot of weight and 'looking like ****' as some friends told me. Particularly if they hadn't seen me for a while.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with RA.

I am convinced that there is a connection and some doctor relations of mine have agreed.

Cheers

theresa4

HI
Yes I have an under active thyroid diagnosed at 19 and then RA started at 34. It is well under control I take throxine and liothyrinine and it has been stable over 15 years. I also have fibromyalgia 2+yrs and Its also being considered that I may have a bowel condition as well just started getting worse in the last 6 months. Apart from fibro all are considered auto immune conditions and my doc says it is common that once you get one its very possible to accumulate others.

Another friend of mine has sarcoidosis and Psoriatic arthritis. The sarcoid for 20 + yrs the PA 1 yr.

Love to all
Theresa

frogmorton

Hmmph!!!

feeling left out now :sad: My thyroid seems ok

Serioulsy this makes interesting reading!

Love

Toni xx

mmarshall

Hi everyone not posted for a while but always look in and this thread is interesting.
I was diagnosed with RA in Apr 08 and within a few months was told I had a thyroid problem.
I have been diaganosed with Hyperparathyroidism and I have always thought there is a link between both of them, although when I asked about it the doctors said no as you can have one without the other.
I was actually away for a CT scan yesterday for my throat as the doc thinks I may need surgery on the para thyroid glands.
My RA has been a bit out of control recently with all sorts of problems and I am waiting to go onto the next stage of Biological drugs as I am already on Meth, Sulpha and Hydroxy and they are not working.
The strange thing is since my RA has got worse so has the tyroid problem hence the CT scan yesterday.

Bye for now
Mary

anniek

I had RA then diagnosed with underactive thiroid ,anne

jilly

Hi Add me to the list ,started with thyroid 2 years before the RA now have fibro to . The doctor told me they are connected , there seems to be a lot of people on here with both. strange is'nt it . ....jilly x

L1985

Hi

Just seen this thread. I have an over active thyroid (due to have surgery on monday to remove it) I have been diagnosed with RA too.

I was told there is a link as both auto-immune diseases.

Lulu xxx

dreamdaisy

I wish you well for the surgery and I hope it helps matters. DD

L1985

Thanks hun getting nervous now!

nanasue

Don't be nervous, I thought it would be complicated but it was a breeze and I've had no problems since.Good luck, you'll be fine,

Sue x