Does rheumatoid arthritis effect thyroid function?

I need help, and I want to know does rheumatoid arthritis affects thyroid function?

[humanbean]

I think rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause inflammation in various parts of the body not just the joints so could be affecting your thyroid.

But there is another connection...

Both RA and many thyroid diseases are autoimmune. Once someone has one autoimmune disease the chance of developing another is much higher than it is for someone who doesn't have any. Autoimmune diseases, sadly, hunt in packs.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I'm not sure if you can read NHS pages from the USA, but if you can it would be a quick read :

nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoi...

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

humanbean, I will check it out now.

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

humanbean

Yes, I feel my thyroid function since my Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis has decreased. Thank you for the insightful answer!

[Alisbabas in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

My brother has Hashimoto’s and now developed Rheumatoid

Take care

A

[Hidden in reply to Alisbabas]

Alibabas

Thank you

[humanbean in reply to Hidden]

My late mother had RA and hypothyroidism. Both conditions developed in her 50s very close together but I can't remember which condition came first.

[emmajayne]

Hi, I have had an under active thyroid for 21 years, I have had RA for 6 years. I was told the same that autoimmune diseases usually come in twos as well. My thyroid medication has been increased since having RA from 150mg to 225 mg so possibly does affect function but also could be the RA meds stopping the thyroid meds working properly

[Hidden in reply to emmajayne]

My thyroid condition is non-autoimmune-related, but the RA is autoimmune.

[Hidden]

Are arthritis and thyroid problems both related to autoimmune disease?

If so then you might have your answer.

[Batty1]

In my opinion I would say YES since RA and PSA are autoimmune driven.

[Hidden]

Scrumbler

I recently started medicine for RA, and I have used them for a few days now. I hope long term that they don't cause severe side long term effects.

[Hidden]

Prednisone and methotrexate for RA

[Hidden]

Thank you! I will be talking to my primary care doctor more on the thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis connection.