Is your intuition telling you that your hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s is causing your chronic pain? Your intuition may be right. Let me explain how hypothyroidism can lead to chronic pain and how to address it.
Tissue Level Hypothyroidism is a condition where there are adequate levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, but it is unable to enter the cells due to inflammation or other factors. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, muscle tension, and trigger points.
Researchers like Dr. Lowe have linked tissue level hypothyroidism to conditions like Fibromyalgia, showing that proper treatment with thyroid hormone therapy can provide relief from symptoms. Symptoms of tissue level hypothyroidism can include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, muscle tension, and delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes.
To treat tissue level hypothyroidism, it is essential to find the right type and dose of thyroid medication, exercise to tolerance, follow a nutritious diet, engage in trigger point therapy, and address any nutritional deficiencies. Lab tests may not always accurately diagnose tissue level hypothyroidism, so it’s important to consider a combination of symptoms, physical exams, and metabolic function.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, especially with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, it’s worth exploring the possibility of tissue level hypothyroidism and seeking proper treatment. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.
