Women with hypothyroidism have fewer chronic
musculoskeletal symptoms than other women
(July 2005)
The background of the study. Musculoskeletal symptoms
and thyroid dysfunction are common. This study evaluated the relationships
between these two conditions.
How the study was done. The study subjects were
30,693 adultswho lived in a county of Norway and completed questionnaires
about musculoskeletal symptoms. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) was measured
in all the subjects, and serum free thyroxine (T4) was measured
in those who had abnormal serum TSH values.
The results of the study. Among these 30,693 people,
16,260 (53 percent) reported chronic musculoskeletal symptoms, defined
as continuous pain or stiffness of the muscles or joints of the
following three regions (the neck or shoulders; hips or back; and
elbows, wrists or hands, knees, or ankles or feet), for at least
three months.
In the women, the frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms was inversely
related to the serum TSH concentration; 61 percent of the women
with low serum TSH values had these symptoms, as compared with 56
percent of those with normal serum TSH values and 50 percent of
those with high serum TSH values. There was no relationship between
these symptoms and serum TSH values in the men.
The conclusions of the study. Chronic musculoskeletal
symptoms are more common in women with hyperthyroidism, and less
common in those with hypothyroidism, as compared with women with
normal thyroid function. The lower frequency of symptoms in the
women with hypothyroidism may be attributable to a decrease in sensitivity
to pain.
The original article. Hagen K, Bjoro T, Zwart
JA, Svebak S, Bovim G, Stovner LJ. Do high TSH values protect against
chronic musculoskeletal complaints? The Nord-Trondelag Health Study
(HUNT). Pain 2005;113:416-21.
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