Bursitis and Hashimotos

[DisCBR]

I have developed bursitis in both hips and both knees, hips first followed by both knees. Just wondering if there is a connection with Hashimotos hypothyroidism and bursitis. Has anyone else experienced this?

[tattybogle]

yes .. it is generally accepted that there is an increased likelyhood of all sorts of musculoskeletal/ joint issues with hypothyroidism. Searching for Bursitis and Hypothyroidism online will bring up all sorts of information.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

you may find some stuff here : ( results pages from a search for 'bursitis / hypothyroidism' on pubmed )

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?te...

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Rheumatologist thinks my hip bursitis was linked to inflammation post covid, but I do know there is a link with hypothyroidism. For me, a steroid injection in the hip bursa really helped, plus ultrasound from physio. As I have early osteoarthritis (hereditary) I take daily turmeric and glucosamine which seems to help reduce inflammation.

[beh1]

I kept getting bursitis in my hips and physio said to check my thyroid meds were good as under replacement can be a cause.

[DisCBR in reply to beh1]

I’ve only just started on a trial of 50mcg, last time I checked my TSH it was over 10. So I’m feeling it might be the cause.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DisCBR]

So you will need several dose increases in Levo over coming year or so

Typically dose Levo is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps

Retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after each increase

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Aiming for TSH around 1. Most important results are Ft4 and Ft3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested yet?

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Have these been tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[JAmanda]

I had constant hip and ham string pain - all around and under that area - which was cured by adding in lio as Levo never quite helped. You may just need a dose increase though.

[Buxon]

I too have been seeing physiotherapist for osteoarthritis of lumbar region, right hip and greater trochanteric pain syndrome in right hip plus osteoarthritis in both knees and plantar faciitis in both heels. Most recently I have been experiencing shooting pain down my right arm and right leg. Steroid injection in right hip, extremely painful, did bring relief from pain for 5 months. However, I was back to physio which ended last week. I have been taking 75mg Levothyroxine daily for past 9 years.

[beh1 in reply to Buxon]

75 mcg is a small dose. Might be worth putting up a post with your full blood test results so that you can get advice on here. Apologies if you’ve already done that.

[Buxon in reply to beh1]

When I receive result of blood test I'll post. Thank you .

[Hashihilary]

My GP suggested I had bursitis in both hips, but later it was discovered that I actually had polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). The fact that it is in both hips rather than just one might indicate you may have the same. PMR is diagnosed by a blood test for the inflammatory marker CRP, which was very high indeed in my case. I was instantly put on high dose of steroids, and was symptom free after 48 hours! That was the proof that it was PMR! (And not eg fibromyalgia). Look up PMR, and see what you think. It can also affect the shoulders and neck, and one feels awful. The diagnosis was one thing, getting properly better was quite another. PMR is an autoimmune inflammatory condition, and you may well find you have others. Hence the link with Hashi's, and other things too potentially.

[DisCBR in reply to Hashihilary]

I had the CRP marker checked and it was fine. I’m thinking I might have fibromyalgia. I’ve got an appointment with private rheumatologist in June so hopefully I’ll get some help figuring out what’s going on.

[MarvelDC]

if your thyroid isn’t well controlled, it can interfere with absorption of key minerals and vitamins such as vit D, iron, folate and B12, if any of these are low it can cause all sorts of symptoms including joint pain, I’m going through something similar now, I’ve been having a few different symptoms for a while including joint pain, it turned out I had low B12 and ferritin, since improving these my joint pain has improved…. If a doctor says there in normal range, don’t except it. You need to see your own results and make sure there in optimal range, not just normal

[DisCBR in reply to MarvelDC]

All my key minerals and vitamins are all fine. It’s just my TSH that is out of range. I just feel full of inflammation.

[Agitator23]

Yes. Hip bursitis, bursitis on ball of foot, tendonitis - shoulder and Achilles.

[Marz in reply to Agitator23]

I have suffered with Trochanteric Bursitis and found Osmo Patches on-line very helpful in reducing inflammation.

[Agitator23 in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marz. I'll look them up.

[Marz in reply to Agitator23]

Not a cure but certainly helps ! I feel gut inflammation could be linked. I have/had Crohns - diagnosed 50 years ago after Gut TB...