For some people, hypothyroidism that hasn't been treated can lead to joint and muscle problems. Specifically, hypothyroidism may cause: Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness. Joint pain and stiffness, particularly in the hands and knees in adults.
It may also cause muscle weakness or loss of muscle control. See your doctor if you know or suspect you have hypothyroidism and you're having troubling or painful symptoms in your limbs.
Severe, untreated hypothyroidism can cause fluid buildup that puts pressure on the nerves in your arms and legs. This can lead to tingling, pain, and numbness where the nerve is damaged.
Subclinical thyroid disease is a common disorder, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Some patients with manifest hypothyroidism complain of unsteadiness of gait.
[1,2] Neuromuscular symptoms are present in 30–80% of patients with hypothyroidism. Patients may have muscle cramping, proximal symmetrical muscle weakness, muscle stiffness, and exercise intolerance. [1,2] Slowness of muscle relaxation and of muscle contraction is noted in hypothyroid myopathy.
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They can usually be soothed when your thyroid starts to function normally again. 5 Coping strategies for easing muscle pain, regardless of the cause, may be useful in the meantime. Things like drinking enough fluids, a massage, warm baths, and gentle exercise are good ways to help with the pain.
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.
But those with symptoms can experience a puffy face, sluggishness, weight gain, feeling cold, a slowed heart rate, constipation, depression, and thinning hair. Not everyone has the same symptoms, so make sure to talk with your health care provider if you think you have hypothyroidism.
Leg edema is a common clinical problem and the differential diagnosis is extensive. We present 4 patients in whom thyroid dermopathy was the cause of leg edema. Examination of the eyes and the nature of the edema were clues to the diagnosis of thyroid dermopathy.
Your legs and ankles look swollen.
Because hypothyroidism can cause the body's processes to slow down, it can lead to water retention, which will typically show up in your lower body—your hips, knees, ankles, and feet—because of gravity, says Feinberg.
Although thyroid dysfunction does not appear to directly cause RLS, it does affect RLS symptoms. With this in mind, thyroid hormone levels are a potentially modifiable risk factor for RLS, and clinicians should consider correcting thyroid abnormalities to minimize the symptoms of RLS and their effects on sleep.
Cold feet: When thyroid function is diminished, circulation is reduced, and the skin may receive as little as one-fourth to one-fifth of the normal blood supply. Our lower extremities, including our feet, are especially vulnerable to poor circulation, particularly in cold seasons.
Signs of hypothyroidism include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, cold extremities, and joint pain. In the feet, this joint pain may have pain and inflammation symptoms that seem like arthritis but are a specific condition known as arthropathy.
The most obvious symptom of subacute thyroiditis is pain in the neck caused by a swollen and inflamed thyroid gland. Sometimes, the pain can spread (radiate) to the jaw or ears. The thyroid gland may be painful and swollen for weeks or, in rare cases, months.
Fatty foods – Fats are known to upset your body's ability to absorb thyroid replacement hormones. Fats can also prevent the thyroid's natural ability to produce hormones. Physicians recommend that you cut out all fried foods and limit your intake of fats from butter, mayonnaise and fatty meats.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
Yes, dizziness is a symptom of a thyroid problem. Thyroid diseases³ or thyroid abnormalities sometimes manifest as dizziness. A high heart rate, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are all possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
When thyroid dysfunction occurs, it decreases the body's metabolism, which in turn can negatively affect the skin's natural ability to heal itself. This commonly causes itchy skin.
Thyroid disease may be a predisposing factor for restless legs syndrome (RLS). People with this disorder feel uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in their legs while the body is at rest. In most cases, RLS symptoms often occur in the evening or around sleep onset.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroid myopathy? The most common symptoms include weakness around the hips and sometimes the shoulders, and a slowing of reflexes. Some people also experience muscle stiffness and painful muscle cramps.
You should seek immediate medical help if: The cramps last longer than 10 minutes and fail to improve, despite exercise.