Osteoporosis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[helvella]

Both of these were major items on Inside Health a few minutes ago on BBC Radio 4.

bbc.co.uk/programmes/b068xg8b

So far as I heard, not one mention of "thyroid".

[stiltzski]

I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome over 25 years ago but refused the operation I was offered (for various reasons but mainly because I had a baby). I have since had severely restricted movement in my right wrist (I am right-handed) but I live with it as one of the most minor of my ailments! Forgive me if I have missed something but is carpet tunnel syndrome connected with hypothyroidism?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to stiltzski]

stiltzski,

It is aways difficult to answer that with certainty. We are not able to do the trials/studies that would be required to answer properly.

Having said that, quite a number of people have reported a link between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome. It has been suggested that the build-up of mucin within the tissues of those who are hypothryoid could contribute to nerve damage, pressure and CTS generally. Support for this comes from the many who have reported at least some improvement when their thyroid issues improve.

Luckily for me, I did not suffer CTS, but it would be good to see responses from people who did.

[bantam12 in reply to helvella]

I have had CTS for years, told without doubt hypo related, I was given a wrist brace to wear which does work but my wrist is now becoming quite weak so time to get something done about it.

[Spareribs in reply to stiltzski]

stiltzski

also low Vitamin D (in mine & other cases) - easy to rule out/test & treat

(like rickets in your wrist) - common in HypoT as parathyroids (on thyroid gland) control calcium so does Vitamin D.

(bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel release ops avoided & neck op)

[milliecharlie in reply to stiltzski]

I also had carpel tunnel syndrome for many years and thought it was work related so didn't consult doctor. Eight months ago I got plantar fasciitis. I had routine blood tests two years ago and was told my thyroid was borderline so I carried on as normal but whilst struggling with the pain of plantar fasciitis I came across a web page that mentioned under active thyroid and plantar fasciitis as well as carpet tunnel. I contacted my doctor who said she wasn't interested in the plantar but was interested in the carpel as being connected with underactive thyroid and put me on 25mg levo. My carpel went by the second day and I could walk normally in the morning for the first time in 8 months. After 3 weeks my carpel came back slightly so I asked the doctor if I could double the dose which she agreed to. Ive been on 50mg for 5 days and my plantar has almost totally gone as well as my carpel tunnel. I'm sure the bags under my eyes have also gone which is a bonus. Ive also got glaucoma and osteoporisis and have only just found out these are also related to under active thyroid.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to milliecharlie]

Well as I wrote earlier, I didn't get CTS. On the other hand (or should that be foot?), I did get plantar fasciitis. Very clear with hindsight that it developed as my thyroid hormone levels dropped - and imroved as they rose again.

Not always a good idea to double the dose quickly - often better to take it step at a time - but if you are very much better, that is good.

[stiltzski]

Thanks everyone. That is all very interesting. I can't now move my wrist much so don't get the pain I did but the general underlying aching there is definitely less noticeable since I have been on thyroid meds. My son had plantar fasciitis...not fun at all, so you all have my sympathies.

[Clutter]

Helvella, you didn't hear it because it wasn't mentioned

I had bottom of foot pain, relieved somewhat with arch supports, about 20 years before thyroid nonsense and CTS for 10. I didn't know that the thumb, hand and forearm pain was called CTS until the registrar taking a history for thyroid surgery told me, and said it was a common hypo symptom. Not quite sure how that gels with euthyroid bloods though. I've not had much bother from either since being optimally medicated.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clutter]

Well I did get forearm pain - epicondylitis - as well!

There are so any symptoms which seem to be thyroid-related, especially in that they resolve or at least imrove when on thyroid hormone treatment, but occur well before blood levels appear hypothyroid.

For me, dry skin is the obvious one - I was a hand-cream addict and had nasty elbow skin. Both were moderate but had been with me since my early teens. Both have improved out of all recognition. I can't remember the last time I neeed to use hand-cream.

[Razzar1977]

I was told I have ulnar tunnel nerve syndrome which effects my ring and little finger. I was told he could operate which involves cutting through my elbow and doing something but said it would only be a 50/50 chance I would regain use of my arm so never went through with op x

[Trixie64]

I also waited in vain for the mention of "thyroid". I developed severe pain of CTS after breaking my wrist, long before I knew I'd got Hashi's. The orthopaedic consultant told me I'd had the tendency towards it for a long time; nerve conduction tests showed I had almost no nerve activity in either the wrist I broke, nor the other one. Fortunately, although the pain was even worse following the op, it eventually cleared.

When I consulted Dr. P. he confirmed that CTS is associated with underactive thyroid.

[MsLR]

I have symptoms of leg pain, plantars, thumb pain, numb forearms, insomnia and runny nose when j wake up. BUT my thyroid levels are exactly in the middle of "normal." Has any one else experienced this? If so how did you convince your doc to treat you for hypo? I'm seeing an endo and it appears she has never heard of these symptoms being connected to hypo.

[Musicmonkey]

My arm/wrist problems were diagnosed as RSI in 2002 or thereabouts and in 2008 as I was diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism and was put on a low trial dose of Levo not long after.

I continued to have the RSI symptoms until my dose of Levo was increased to current higher levels. Not that I feel optimally well, but don't have the RSI despite spending even more time at the computer!

[frian]

very interesting that hypo and cts seem to be connected I am hyperthyroid and have graves I suffered for many years with carpel tunnel it became unbearable so eventually I had the operation 20 years ago which was successful no more pain so maybe all thyroid conditions have a connection with carpel it was a simple opp and I recovered within a couple of weeks to being ok I would recommend anybody with this not to be scared off at least in my case I was more than delighted with the results

[frian in reply to frian]

I failed to say in my reply that it was many years later 2012 when I was diagnosed with graves so not sure if there is a connection

[Fr23]

I had carpal tunnel and plantar fasciitis for two years before being diagnosed hypo in 2008.These problems continued after taking Levothyroxine until June this year. I refused an operation for carpal tunnel as I had already had 4 foot operations for a variety of foot complaints,and did not want further scarring in my right wrist as well. I have to say that since starting NDT Nature Throid in June this year,most of my foot pain has disappeared. Most mornings I wake up with a numb right hand and tingling wrist,but that goes away once I get up and move around,and I can tolerate it so far.