Have you ever wondered whether hypothyroidism is leading to pain throughout your joints and other parts of your body? Your thoughts may be valid. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This deficiency can lead to effects in your body that result in chronic pain.
Lower levels of thyroid hormone can disrupt systems in your body like heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. It can also cause swelling and weight gain. If you already have aching joints or low back pain, additional swelling and weight gain can worsen the condition. Tissue swelling can press on nerves which can produce muscular weakness and pain, including cramps and stiffness.
Fibromyalgia or Hypothyroidism
The painful symptoms of hypothyroidism can often mimic those of fibromyalgia. In fact, testing for thyroid disease should be performed before diagnosing fibromyalgia. . Both diseases can cause pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. The widespread body pain may meet the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, but a large number of disorders can mimic this disease, including hypothyroidism and should be thoroughly evaluated. The pain that you are feeling may indeed be due to thyroid disease, so don’t overlook this possibility.
How can you tell if your pain stems from your thyroid?
Here are some signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. If you have chronic pain with absolutely no explanation, consider an evaluation.
- Delayed puberty or slowed growth
- Lethargy, sluggishness, or feeling cold
- Hair loss or dryness in hair and skin
- Brittle nails
- Constipation
- Enlarged thyroid
- Irritability/mood swings
- Weight gain
- Low heart rate
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with pain, they could reflect a thyroid disorder. Talk to you doctor about a work up.
Remember, no one is immune to pain, but together we can overcome it.