Can hypothyroidism cause joint pain? I have hypothyroidism and have been experiencing severe arthritis-like pain in my shoulders and hips.

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.
  • Swelling of the small joints in the hands and feet.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pain relievers you can buy without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), may help ease the pain. But treatment with thyroid hormone replacement medicine typically is the most effective way to relieve the symptoms of hypothyroidism, including joint and muscle pain. If you're taking thyroid hormone replacement, and you still have joint and muscle pain, your medicine dosage may need to be changed.

It's important to be aware, too, that some people who have hypothyroidism also may have other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. If joint pain, stiffness and swelling don't improve after treatment with an appropriate dosage of thyroid medicine, contact your health care provider. There may be other possible causes of the pain that need to be explored.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

March 02, 2023 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  2. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  3. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  4. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  5. Antidepressants: Side effects
  6. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  7. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  8. Arcus senilis: A sign of high cholesterol?
  9. Atypical antidepressants
  10. Cholesterol level: Can it be too low?
  11. Cholesterol medications: Consider the options
  12. Cholesterol ratio or non-HDL cholesterol: Which is most important?
  13. Cholesterol test kits: Are they accurate?
  14. Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers
  15. Cholesterol-lowering supplements may be helpful
  16. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  17. Coconut oil: Can it cure hypothyroidism?
  18. Coma
  19. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  20. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  21. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.
  22. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  23. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  24. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  25. Dry skin
  26. Eggs and cholesterol
  27. Fatigue
  28. HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol
  29. High cholesterol
  30. High cholesterol in children
  31. High cholesterol treatment: Does cinnamon lower cholesterol?
  32. How to heal cracked heels
  33. How to heal cracked skin at thumb tip
  34. Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection?
  35. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment?
  36. Hypothyroidism diet
  37. Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements?
  38. Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems?
  39. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  40. Infant jaundice
  41. Joint pain
  42. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
  43. Lowering Triglycerides
  44. Male depression: Understanding the issues
  45. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  46. Marijuana and depression
  47. Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist
  48. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  49. Muscle pain
  50. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  51. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  52. Niacin overdose: What are the symptoms?
  53. Niacin to improve cholesterol numbers
  54. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  55. Is there a risk of rhabdomyolysis from statins?
  56. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  57. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  58. Soy: Does it reduce cholesterol?
  59. Soy: Does it worsen hypothyroidism?
  60. Statin side effects
  61. Statins
  62. Statins: Do they cause ALS?
  63. Symptom Checker
  64. Thyroid disease: Can it affect a person's mood?
  65. Lifestyle changes to improve cholesterol
  66. Treatment-resistant depression
  67. Tricyclic antidepressants
  68. Triglycerides: Why do they matter?
  69. Vitamin B-12 and depression
  70. VLDL cholesterol: Is it harmful?
  71. Trans fat