9. Muscle and Joint Pain: The Hidden Aches
Muscle and joint pain can also be indicative of silent thyroiditis. If you’ve been experiencing frequent aches and pains that don’t seem related to any injury physical exertion, it could be due to an underlying thyroid condition.
The thyroid hormone plays a role in maintaining healthy muscles and joints. Any imbalance in its levels, as seen in silent thyroiditis, can result in a variety of musculoskeletal symptoms.
During the hyperthyroid phase, excess thyroid hormones can lead to muscle weakness, often noted in the large muscles of the arms and legs. You might notice difficulty in performing routine activities such as climbing stairs, lifting objects, or even holding items. In some cases, this muscle weakness can also extend to the muscles responsible for swallowing or breathing, although this is relatively rare.
Additionally, the hyperthyroid phase might also cause joint pain. The exact mechanism behind this is not entirely understood, but it’s believed to be due to the effect of thyroid hormones on various inflammatory pathways. The joint pain is often described as an aching sensation that’s not linked to any specific injury or overuse.
As the disease progresses into the hypothyroid phase, the muscle symptoms can change. Instead of weakness, you might experience muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the muscles of your arms and legs. The pain is usually worse after a period of rest or upon waking up in the morning. (9)
