Advice desperately needed please

[Sue4983]

Hi there

Has any one had experience of having rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems ? I had de Quervains thyroiditis in my early twenties over thirty years but by the time I had seen a consultant I was over the worst of it and didn’t need any medication .However the doctor I saw mentioned that he thought I would probably have trouble again later on in life . I was fine for a few years but developed RA after having my second child in 1996 . This is controlled by Methotrexate to some extent but I think as your body gets used to the medication it becomes less and less effective.

Back to the thyroid issues Over the years I find that anytime I was run down or tired my thyroid would start hurting and sometimes I would lose my voice or develop a cough but after a few days it would clear .

However in January this year after having a bad flu type virus the same thing happened but mire painful than usual and it had kept happening on and off all year sometimes losing my voice for a few days . Now seems to effecting my breathing and I have a feeling like I’m being choked sometimes . I read that if the thyroid is inflamed they sometimes prescribe steroids for a short time .

I have only just moved house and have just registered with a new doctor .I keep putting off ringing them especially at the moment but it is getting be to the stage where it is really bothering me and it doesn’t seem to going this time.

I have also read that there if you have V one auto immune disease you can often have another

Sorry for the long post but any ideas would be greatly appreciated

Sue

[Lalatoot]

I am on combination therapy taking the two thyroid hormones t4 and t3. As I have spent a year adjusting doses of both hormones I have gained some idea of what symptoms are cause by too little or too much of each hormone. Bear in mind though that we are all individual and my symptoms may not mean the same for others.

When my thyroid area gets sore my voice gets croaky and I can lose my voice. This means my t4 levels are low. When my t3 levels are low I get joint and muscle pain and my hands stiffen.

I would get your thyroid levels checked.

[shaws Administrator]

Ask your new GP to refer you to an endocrinologist. Many people get more than one autoimmune disease.

Maybe ask GP for a Full Thyroid Function Test first which is:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies.

B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Blood draw shoud be at the earliest possible, fasting and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of hormones and test and take afterwards.

Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges and post for comments, if you wish.'

[shaws Administrator]

I would ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist (private one).

My daughter has RA plus other autoimmune conditions.

I also have multiple autoimmune conditions but not RA.

It can be true that if you have one autommune condition we can develop more.

I would suggest you get a Full Thyroid Function Test - which is:-

The earliest appointment for blood draw.

Fasting (you can drink water).

Take any medication after test.

Request TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

GP (or the lab) not do all of them.

If you wish you can get a private home test and make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before the home test.

Always get a print-out of results with the ranges and post if you have a query or to get responses from members.

thyroiduk.org/?s=testing&v=...

[Wired123]

Have a look at the Paddison programme as you may find it helpful. My friend cured her RA in months doing that.

[jrbarnes]

It's definitely worth ruling out if you've had thyroid issues in the past and your RA meds are becoming less effective. Choking was one of the symptoms I had when I developed a growth on my thyroid.

[041051]

I have a friend who has both conditions but she also developed lung conditions that are related to RA. I would speak to your G.P. My friend has received treatment and is probably feeling better than she has for some years.

[Sue4983 in reply to 041051]

Thanks for your reply

I do need to speak to my GP

[ZoMa]

I also have RA and Hashimotos. I was diagnosed after a severe virus in March. Like you I lost my voice and had a strangled feeling. This turned out be a large goitre as my thyroid was very inflamed.

I had thyroid blood screen which showed my TSH was high as were my antibodies and my FT4 were low. I needed high dose steroids for a short while to reduce my inflammatory response. I also started levothyroxine.

I am still working with my GP to stabilise my thyroid hormones and needed a steroid repeat this month. You really should go to your GP for a check of your throat as well as thyroid function blood tests as suggested in your other replies.

[Sue4983 in reply to ZoMa]

Hi there

Thank you for your reply I know I need to see my GP I think I’m just scared to go at the moment and anxious about the steroids .

I won’t put it off anymore

[ZoMa in reply to Sue4983]

I totally get that! It’s far easier for me to say go .... I still have to boost my self before I go back for my 8 weekly appts! Good luck x

[Sue4983 in reply to ZoMa]

Thanks Over the weekend we’ve had a close family friend come down with Covid and that’s made me even more wary now !

[kiefer]

I had de Quervain's tenosynovitis and had surgery on my right wrist, which eliminated the problem (and the pain). I wasn't aware that it involved any other area of the body.

As to voice problems, if you have any type of illness / infection, you're going to have an increase in cortisol and most likely an increase in Reverse T3, which effectively down-regulates your thyroid function. Mucus membranes will become dryer (like your vocal folds) so you could become hoarse. Difficulty in swallowing can occur as well.

Sore muscles and joints can be caused by low thyroid function and trigger points may form, which can also "refer" pain to other muscles or even joints.

I don't have any information about Rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid function, but I'm fairly sure that steroids lower thyroid function by reducing the conversion of T4 to T3.

This is outside the box, but if you've been exposed / infected with Lyme disease, it can cause numerous issues relating to thyroid function. I am only mentioning this so as to inform you, I'm not suggesting that you have Lyme disease.