Hip Bursitis and Thyroid Link

[kaz90]

Hi

It has been a while since I have posted anything here, I'm looking for information regarding hip bursitis and the Thyroid Link. My background is that I am 54 years old and in the perimenopausal phase of my life. I have subclinical hypothyroidism diagnosed in 2017 after a long battle with GPs. I am currently taking 75mg of levothyroxine and my latest test result was 1.85 tsh serum (0.35-5.5), this was done at 7.30 in the morning and I had fasted for this. I suffered a hip injury several months ago from running. I ended up on crutches and now under a spinal and hip consultants after MRI findings. Part of the MRI results showed I have a hip bursitis with IT band syndrome. My consultant is not going to treat this as he says it is a hormonal issue (thyroid) and will right itself at some point and continue with physiotherapy. I have been researching this topic and it does say that the thyroid can cause bursitis in the hip. I am wondering if raising my levothyroxine dose would help with the bursitis. Based on my weight alone, I have calculated from the NICE guidelines ( based on my weight)that I should be taking 140mg. I am looking into asking my GP to up the dose and just wondered if anyone out there has been in a similar situation and what they did about it.

[bluejourney]

I’ve had painful left hip tendinitis for over a year, and I’m sure it’s related to my hypothyroidism. NHS treatments so far seem to have made it worse. The first physio said exercises don’t help and just advised me what movements to avoid, eg crossing your legs, sleeping on that side. The second physio gave me exercises, which haven’t helped and I suspect have made it worse. The orthopaedic consultant sent me for a steroid injection, which gave me respite for a couple of months, after which it’s worse than ever. The next thing I’m going to try is platelet rich plasma injections, which someone on this site recommended. I’ve found the difficult thing is that there’s so much conflicting advice out there - rest, don’t rest, stretch, don’t stretch, exercise, don’t exercise, avoid triggers, challenge it, ice/heat helps, ice/heat won’t help. Sitting too long certainly makes it worse. It stiffens up. I think short amounts of movement are best, and some advice I’ve found helpful is only go as far as 4/10 pain, then rest. My thyroid replacement is much better now, but I haven’t found this has improved my tendinitis. I suspect the damage is already done, but hopefully it won’t now affect my other leg. Hope you get improvement soon.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I had hip bursitis and rheumatologists gave me a steroid injection, when physio input/ exercises stopped working. That was over a year ago… 🤞still ok. I now do gentle stretches only with hips (as opposed to extensive pilates type stretches I did previously) as too much stretching inflames the previous issue.

[Marz]

Osmo Patches bought on-line really help to settle my Bursitis in both hips. As its caused by inflammation I often wonder if the gut is also involved along with lower back issues.

How are your FT3 levels ?

[kaz90 in reply to Marz]

sorry I haven’t got them , I will need to buy a private test to get ft3 level. I had suffered lower back since I was 10 years old, it was only when I started taking levothyroxine the back pain stopped . My thinking is if my pain went when I started Levo , do I need to ask for an increase to help settle the bursitis.

[Marz in reply to kaz90]

Not sure about the increase helping ! I'm T3 only. It would help if you knew if your T4 is converting into T3 well. Bursitis is inflammation so VitD is anti-inflammatory...If you study pics of the Trochanter and the route the glutes take it all makes sense. Muscles can and do tense when thyroid hormones are low....

[Zephyrbear in reply to Marz]

Would these help with the pain from a knackered hip joint that I’m now halfway through an 18-month waiting list to have replaced? If so, could you send me a pm to let me know what they are and where I can get them please? Thanks.

[Marz in reply to Zephyrbear]

If you think inflammation is involved then yes the patches could help as they draw out inflamnation overnight. An internet search for Osmo Patches will bring up the Company website in Oz. Great service. Good explanation on the website.... 🌻

[Zephyrbear in reply to Marz]

Thank you! I will try that! 💖

[arTistapple]

I have a diagnosis of hip bursitis. Unfortunately I have had it definitely since 2009 (maybe even earlier). Strictly speaking I don’t think it’s quite an ‘honest’ diagnosis. My thyroid (only diagnosed three years ago) remains not properly treated. I can’t say for sure it’s the thyroid but I am pretty certain it is, combined with ancient statin use could be to blame.

There are references to thyroid issues causing this problem on the internet. I think “Hypothyroid Myopathy” is a good start.

Most important a good look at your thyroid status might be more revealing, especially your T3 level. Mine is dire.

[blondpalomino]

Hi Kaz90, I had a lot of pain in my left hip after falling on it.Eventually after physio which didn't help, I was referred for an ultrasound injection in that hip, which helped at first.I had these once every year for about 5 years, until it stopped working, so I stopped the injections. I have been dancing once a week for the last 3 years, which funnily enough has really helped my hip (after the initial phase in which it got worse). So the answer is get dancing!