Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Thyroid Problems?

Reumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. An inflammatory type of arthritis, it affects more women than men,and causes joint pain and swelling that may lead to deformity.
  
  

Thyroid Gland

• The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck, which produces hormones that regulate body temperature, produce energy and assist other organs in functioning. Thyroid disorders can cause tenderness and stiffness in muscles and joints. Because the symptoms are similar to arthritis symptoms, thyroid disease is commonly misdiagnosed as arthritis.
  
  

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Thyroid Problems

• Infection seems to play a significant role in both rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems. "Eighty percent of patients with autoimmune arthritic disorders (i.e., Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren's, etc) and approximately 70 percent of those with autoimmune thyroid disorders (i.e., Graves,' Hashimotos', thyroiditis) have signs of an infection." says Dr. David Brownstein in a Feb. 24, 2008, "Sunday Paper" interview.
  
  Dr. April Chang-Miller of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, says that the appearance of a connection between the two conditions may be that many of the medications given to rheumatoid arthritis patients influence thyroid function in some way. These medications include NSAIDs and corticosteroids, as well as simple aspirin.
  
  

Cause and Effect

• It may often appear to the patient (and even to the doctor) that RA has caused thyroid problems. What is most likely occurring, however, is that a pre-existing thyroid problem is uncovered when RA treatments do not seem to be working and additional tests are performed. An increase in RA symptoms may actually be an indication that a patient's hypothyroidism is not being treated successfully.
  
  

Successful Treatment of Both Conditions

• While the medications and primary treatments for these two conditions may vary, and should be prescribed by a physician, there are certain lifestyle changes that have been found to be crucial in treating both conditions. These include eating a well-balanced diet containing healthy vitamin and mineral-enriched organic or whole foods and low levels of refined or processed foods. The removal of artificial sweeteners, particularly Aspertame, from your diet is also crucial. Vitamins C and B6, zinc and magnesium have been shown to help with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems. Drinking plenty of water is another important step.