Is there a link between an underactive thyroid and chondrocalcinosis?

[bowlingalong1]

Hello everyone,

It's many years since my underactive thyroid was diagnosed and I am on 175mg levothyroxine daily. I'm not overweight, eat a healthy diet and all my blood tests are always ok - apart from my thyroid I always have a clean bill of health at my annual check.

A few months ago I started to have an ache in my right knee which I assumed had been caused when I was playing walking football although I hadn't injured myself. I saw the GP who thought the same, but it hasn't improved so last week I had an xray.

The results show joint space narrowing, osteophyte formations and chondrocalcinosis. I haven't had any explanation or treatment suggested to me so I have resorted to Google, and it seems an underactive thyroid can cause chondrocalcinosis. I don't want to take this at face value as I know there's plenty of misinformation out there, so I wondered if anyone had developed anything similar?

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Yes can occur together

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

topdoctors.co.uk/medical-di...

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

[bowlingalong1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I've had a look at the links. I don't take vitamin supplements but today my wife bought Glucosamine tablets for me with vitamin D.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to bowlingalong1]

Ideally test vitamin D before starting supplements

And magnesium is very important when taking vitamin D

Low vitamin D

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly when supplementing

Can test via NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

panmerseyapc.nhs.uk/media/2...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Recipe ideas

bbc.co.uk/food/articles/mag...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

welcome to the forum

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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

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

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Presumably Autoimmune?

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...

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70

[bowlingalong1 in reply to SlowDragon]

There's a lot to read through there, valuable information. Thanks SlowDragon.

[Star13]

This paper may be useful and as SlowDragon says getting your Thyroid antibodies tested is key.

There may be an association of TPOAb with the presence of chonedrocalcinosis:

Source: PubMed

search.app/f4VtmG83PcuLYvwW6

[bowlingalong1 in reply to Star13]

Thanks for the link. I will look at getting my Thyroid antibodies tested.