Joint Pain Hypothyroidism

Joint Pain: Hypothyroidism As a Possible Cause?

Suffering from joint pain? Hypothyroidism may be the cause. However, it is not the only possibility as there are a host of other health conditions that cause pain in the joints. In this report though, we will focus on hypothyroidism and ways of managing the pain caused by this illness.

What is hypothyroidism?

It is a condition whereby the thyroid gland, for some reason or another, is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. It can affect the thyroid gland, the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland. The condition is more common among older people or more specifically, people at the age of 55 and older. However, this does not mean that younger individuals cannot suffer from hypothyroidism.

Identified causes

The condition is often attributed to iodine deficiency, but there are other less common reasons behind the onset of this illness. One of these is the absence of a thyroid gland. Another is constant and increasing level of stress. Still another is the use of iodine-131 as a treatment regimen for certain conditions.

Common symptoms

There are a host of symptoms that can be manifested by people suffering from hypothyroidism. Constipation, fatigue, weight gain, low heart rate, inability to tolerate cold, skin dryness, depression, muscle cramps, menstrual cycle abnormalities on women, elevated serum cholesterol and joint pain are just some of these symptoms. For more developed conditions, goiter, memory impairment, hair loss, mood swings and yellowing of the skin may be part of the symptoms.

Dealing with the condition

The most common treatments for hypothyroidism are thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The treatment protocol can be comprised of a single pill or can be a combination of the two. Determining which is better will depend on the patient’s condition and on other factors that only a doctor should decide.

When it comes to the quality of life of the patient, the primary focus most of the time is relieving joint pain. Hypothyroidism patients often experience muscle and joint pains, stiffness and soreness, particularly in the hips and shoulders, and swelling of the joints, especially in the knees and the hands. Some patients who have this condition may also suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly when the illness is not addressed immediately.

Addressing the condition as soon as possible is very important since it can eventually lead to rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune problems. Aside from taking the medications recommended by the doctor, the patient should make it a point to exercise regularly, get enough rest and follow a healthy diet.

Taking nutritional supplements can also help, especially those that are designed to relieve joint inflammation and pain, such as Xtend-Life’s Green Lipped Mussel Powder. This product is made from natural ingredients, so it is safe to take even by those taking other medications. However, taking it would still require a consultation with a doctor, if only to determine whether the patient has shellfish allergy or has the potential to react negatively to any of the ingredients. Generally though, Xtend-Life’s supplement is highly effective in terms of relieving joint pain.

Hypothyroidism patients should seek the help of a physician as early as possible as this condition can be easily remedied if addressed early, but can lead to serious problems if ignored.