Do steroid injections interact thyroid meds?

[NatChap]

Hi, I am suffering with tendon and muscle damage in my bicep which isn't improving. I am contemplating having a steroid injection but was wondering if it will cause any issues with my ndt?

Thanks in advance

Nat x

[Hidden]

No they don't as they are a local injection rather than systemic but even then they wouldn't interfere that much.

[bantam12]

I've had 5 steroid injections, they didn't effect thyroid but also didn't help the problem.

[NatChap in reply to bantam12]

What did you have them for? I am also concerned about potentially making it worse but I'm struggling right now so just don't know what to do 🤔

[bantam12 in reply to NatChap]

I've had 2 in my hand for joint problems and 3 in my shoulder for tendon problems, 3 years on my shoulder is still very painful.

It might work for you so give it a go.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to NatChap]

Try it, but also try golden paste, which works well in horses, dogs and many humans, afterwards if it isn't fixed - just look it up on the web.

[NatChap in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I have tried turmeric capsules in the past with no success, not sure if golden paste would be any more effective?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to NatChap]

So-called turmeric capsules contain only one of the active ingredients in turmeric - curcumin and don't usually contain fat or peer which is necessary to make the turmeric bioavailable and make it longer-lasting. Also you'd need to take a handful of capsules to get 1 tsp. Golden paste is definitely more effective and cheap, so, if doesn't work for you, you can just use the ingredients in your normal cooking. Worth a try.

[NatChap in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

That's interesting, I'll look into that, thank you 😊

[Barrister]

When I was on thyroxine and took steroids, it just caused my TSH to be suppressed.

Clemmie

[radd]

NatChap,

I had a cortisone injection in my twenties for a frozen shoulder. It was so utterly marvellous that when it eventually wore off, I had another one.

When my other shoulder began to freeze, I learnt of the negative effects that these steroid injections can have on weakened adrenals after my doctor advised it is not recommended to have more than three in a life time, so persevered with gentle exercise and massage.

I am pleased I did because everything reversed and I don't have any aches or pains now. I have also heard of the injections making the pain worse in some instances.

[NatChap in reply to radd]

This is another dilemma I have. I've heard so many success stories, my hubby being one of them as he had sciatica about 6 years ago and the steroid injection worked immediately, he's been fine ever since. However my physio said there is a danger when injecting into a tendon that it can cause it be more succeptible to tears further down the line. At the moment I am struggling to do the physio though as it becomes so painful the day after that I can't drive. If I can't drive I can't work so I'm in a bit of vicious circle 😔

[SilverAvocado in reply to NatChap]

Although it can be a difficult choice to make, it's good to consider changing work practices rather than squeezing the body to accomodate them.

[NatChap in reply to SilverAvocado]

Nice idea but not possible. I've been a nanny for the last 23 years, bit late for a career change 😉

[SilverAvocado in reply to NatChap]

Everyone always feels its impossible, there's nothing unusual about that.

I just like to remind people it's a possibility, because there's such a huge taboo in our society about reducing work even if we're really really sick. But often it's a better solution, as resting or not doing a thing (eg not driving because of pain) is very strong medicine.

[NatChap in reply to SilverAvocado]

I can't afford to not work but due to the nature of my job, I have to drive and my job can be quite physical. I wouldn't know how to do anything else! So unfortunately for me it's just not a possibility x

[radd in reply to NatChap]

natchap,

I would like to say that had I of known of the terrible effects hydrocortisone injections can inflict on compromised adrenals, I would have declined them but realistically, remembering the misery of that awful constant throbbing pain, day & night, prohibiting sleep & driving, etc, I would probably still do the same today.

Although good adrenal health is required for good thyroid function, chronic pain and low mood has also been proven to suppress deiodinase activity, the liver enzyme accountable for large amounts of T4-T3 conversion and it is this T3 that brings us the healing.

I don’t know why my aches & pains got better. It could be the NDT that suits me or the previous supplementation of curcumin. I practice yoga and do a little daily shoulder workout to ensure they keep moving which encourages healthy amounts of synovial fluid.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Angel_of_the_North]

They might as they are corticosteroids. They are supposed not to affect overall cortisol levels, but I can't see how that can be.

[momindenver]

Even one steroid shot can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, I learned when I did research after I got very sick after I had a series of three epidural steroid injections for a ruptured disc in my back.. And if this occurs (manifested by a suppressed ACTH, and low cortisol levels), the median time to recovery is 20 months, and can be up to 5 years! (I did have the ACTH stimulation test and fortunately it was not Addison's disease.)

I think people need to be more aware of this potentially very serious side effect of steroid shots!