Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Related to Thyroid?

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… Continued …

  1. Carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that typically characterized by sensation of tingling, numbness or may also come with pain.
  2. Stiffness, muscle aches, or tenderness – typically in the hips and shoulders.
  3. Joint stiffness and pain, common symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  4. Knee joint swelling, or swelling in small joints of feet and hands.

The challenging question, ‘Is RA related to underactive thyroid problem?’ Perhaps, the answer is still debatable. But the following are some possible answers of why they may be related.

Hypothyroidism and the risk of RA

RA is not common form of complication of hypothyroidism, as mentioned before in the first page.

Nevertheless, sufferers with under-active thyroid (especially when the disease is related to Hashimoto’s disease, the most common form of hypothyroidism) have an increased risk of another autoimmune disease, too – such as RA.

It seems that having one autoimmune disease may increase the risk of developing another autoimmune disease. Unfortunately there is also no exact answer to explain how this connection occurs!

Both diseases can independently raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases

It has been long known that rheumatic conditions such as RA could carry the risk of heart problems and cardiovascular diseases – see more this issue in this post! But the combination having both RA and hypothyroidism may make the risk for cardiovascular disease increase significantly.

According to a Dutch study, women with RA have about 1.5 greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease – the risk can be about 1.2 greater in those with hypothyroidism. And the significant increased risk occurs in those with both conditions, which the risk is about 3.7.

Citations /references:
  1. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Thyroid_disorders_hypothyroidism
  2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism/faq-20057789
  3. http://www.arthritistoday.org/news/low-thyroid-function188.php
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