RA & Hypothyroid??? | Arthritis Information

New here to posting, but my latest trip to the Dr has me scratching my head. Went in because my hands were in a major flare. Couldn't see my regular Rheumy, but saw one of his partners instead. He took a few minutes to go through my file, then, shock of shocks, actually treated my hands with cotizone shots. Not pleasant, but I am already better this morning. Then he tells me to listen while he dictates for the record. He is going through my laundry list of problems, and I hear him say hypothyroidism. I thought I had misheard him, so didn't say anything then. I got home and looked at my receipt for the office visit, and sure enough, he's checked the box for hypothyroidism. I have to say that this is a new one, and the first time anyone has ever mentioned it to me. Yeah, I have gained weight since I was diagnosed with RA, but I am also much less active and more inclined to eat chocolate on tough days! My question for anyone out there is this part of the RA? Or just a whole new thing to deal with?

As to link between RA and thyroid - if you have autoimmune thyroiditis (also know as Hashimoto's Thyroditis), then yes - well, sort of.

"Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also referred to as autoimmune thyroiditis and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a chronic inflammatory glandular autoimmune disease. An autoimmune reaction to proteins in the thyroid is the underlying cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There is evidence of a genetic predisposition in the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is not uncommon for persons with autoimmune thyroid disease to have other coinciding autoimmune disorders. Approximately 25 percent of patients with Hashimoto's may develop pernicious anemia, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, or other autoimmune diseases." - From American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association www.aarda.org

EndocrineWeb is a great thyroid info site: http://www.endocrineweb.com/index.html

Hi Judi and welcome

I'd advise you chase up the hypothyroidism. Tbh I'm surprised that you haven't been officially informed as you really ought to be taking thyroxin.

Hypothyroidism is easily treated and it's affects - weight gain, reduced energy, in fact reduced everything - are easily reversed. Problems only arise if the condition is left untreated for some time, don't worry, I'm sure that's years and not weeks.

I was officially 'borderline' thyroid for about 18 months, then in 2005 I was ill for two months with pain whizzing from one joint to the other and was very tired for the whole of that summer. Then bingo! underactive thyroid and RA! I was put on a low doses of methatrexate and thyroxin and both have been working well for me since with no need to up either doses. So don't panic but do chase up your doctor.

All the best

Tinker39101.1862847222

Hi Judi.

I have RA and hypothyroidism. I take .100 mg of Levothyroxine for thyroid and 10 mg of predisone and 10 mg of Methotrexate for my RA.

One I started the Thyroid meds I quickly started to loose weight, have more energy and just overall feel better when I am not in a RA flare. If they start you on thyroid meds you will have blood work done every 6 wks until it is in the normal range. Best of luck to you!

Hypothyroidism often accompanies RA as Lynk noted. But it is not a big deal. And as far as I know there are no side effects from the medicine. At least I have not experienced any.

You will feel a whole lot better when it is treated.

My grandma, mom, and sister all had thyroid disease and had to have their thyroids removed. There isn't a history of RA in my family but I've had a few alternative docs tell me there's a link between the two and could be what predisposed me to RA.

Hi Judi. I have RA and Hasimoto's I actually started with Graves and was treated with radioactive iodine Now I have Hashimotos and take Synthroid and Cytomel daily I have no ill effects from the meds...in fact when my levels are good I feel great on them. I have energy and no stiffness. I also take MTX and Enbrel for my RA.
I would look into the Hypothroidism and see if you need to be on meds.
Good luck!
Jen Hi Judie and welcome!!!! It is not uncommon for this to happen. I was reverse hypothyroidism first, then ra oa and pa. My rd said that if your thyroid level is low this can affect your arthritis and cause flare ups, so please check inot see whether you need to take meds for your thyroid, it may help your ra in the long run. meme Depression - especially out of nowhere - is actually another symptom of Thyroid problems. It's just not as publicized(sp) Sometimes that's the ONLY symptom a person has.

Wow!! I am almost afraid to hope, but this is beginning to sound like "the day from hell" yesterday might have been worth it. It is incredible to think that some of what I have tolerated because I assumed that it was the RA can actually be treated, not just managed. As all of you know, we didn't get a nifty little instruction book that said exactly what was going to happen to us individually, because that would be impossible to predict. So the fatigue and pain was RA, I thought and I dealt with it as best I could, as everyone does. I live in northern Maine, so the cold intolerance has not been fun at all. I am amused at the depression part of the whole thing, because that is another thing I have been treated for, and felt that medication was marginally helpful. I see ads on TV that are addressing that issue though, so perhaps there is help available there too. Thanks again to all, I am not expecting any miracles here, but a 1% improvement in my quality of life would be awesome. I can see that I must become less accepting and more proactive to get there. You know that if this had been one of my kids who got ill, that I would have been a she tiger demanding the best care out there for them. I think I need to go do that same thing for myself.