Patient's question:
I originally had hyperthyroidism and after taking iodine-131, I developed hypothyroidism. This condition emerged in 2001 and brought about many symptoms. Among them, I have severe osteoarthritis with pain in both hands and joints, difficulty in movement, and shortened finger tendons. The doctor who treated my hyperthyroidism said the osteoarthritis was caused by the hypothyroidism, while the orthopedic doctor said it was rheumatoid arthritis or gouty arthritis. I'm not sure which condition I have.Doctor's answer:
Hypothyroidism interferes with the body's microelement decomposition metabolism, and to some extent, it can affect the bone, joint, and muscle systems. Therefore, if left untreated for a long time, it may lead to recurrent bone and joint inflammation. This can result in joint pain, swelling, and even effusion. Additionally, patients need to maintain a regular schedule, take precautions against cold and keep warm, consume light, soft, and liquid foods in their daily diet, ensure good ventilation, and drink plenty of hot water to prevent the condition from recurring.