Joint Pain – Could it be Your Hormones?

July 23, 2019

Are you suffering from joint pain? Do your knees and wrists hurt all the time? If you suffer from symptoms such as fatigue, depressed moods, difficulty sleeping, and brain fog, then that could be the key to finding the underlying cause of your pain. You may be surprised to discover that your joint pain could be caused by hormonal decline.  This may be especially true in the mornings or during cold, damp weather, although the condition can be uncomfortable and debilitating no matter when it occurs.

But what is the reason for this joint pain, is it now permanent, and how best can you manage it? The good news is, most joint pain due to hormone decline can be managed using simple, all-natural remedies and without resorting to potentially unsafe and expensive pharmaceutical treatments.

What is Arthritis?

There are two main types of arthritis, which are:

• Osteoarthritis, which is a common chronic joint condition that affects around 27 million people in the US and is the most common form of arthritis. It is also known of as “degenerative joint disease” or simply “degenerative arthritis,” and occurs as a result of cartilage, which is meant to protect and lubricate joints, breaking down, which causes pain and inflammation. Over time, and as cartilage continues to degenerate, it can cause bone spurs, bone chips floating in the joint, and eventually full destruction of the protective cartilage resulting in bone-on-bone contact. ⁽¹⁾

• Rheumatoid Arthritis, which only affects 1/10th as many as osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is also an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, causing them to become painful, swollen and stiff. This is unlike osteoarthritis in that the former does not cause swelling of the joints and is instead caused by mechanical wear.

How does Thyroid Function Affect Arthritis and Joint Pain?

When the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism), certain proteins are deposited in connective tissues which result in the joint becoming painful and degenerated. This may be due to the release of thyroid stimulating hormone in response to the decreased output of the thyroid gland. This leads to thickening and fluid retention in the joints of the hands, feet, ankles and knees along with thinning of the bone near the joint.

Another condition linked to hyperthyroidism (overproduction of the thyroid) is an uncommon condition called acropachy. Symptoms of acropachy include swelling and clubbing of the fingers and toes along with bulging eyes, rash and bone pain, though this condition only affects a very small percentage of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease such as Grave’s disease.

On the other hand, bursitis, which is a painful condition that occurs mostly in the shoulders and limits the mobility of the joints affected, is common in those suffering with hyperthyroidism. ⁽²,³⁾

Do Other Hormones Affect Joint Pain?

According to a study performed from 1974 to 2004 in which a group of 33,000 participants starting in their mid-20’s to early 50’s was monitored over the period, here is a link between low testosterone and the development of rheumatoid arthritis. ⁽⁴⁾

There is also a link between women who have rheumatoid arthritis and abnormalities in urinary excretion of androgens along with low plasma levels of DHEAS (a precursor to testosterone and estrogen), although more research needs to be performed to confirm this.

However, while there is evidence testosterone plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis, causes are yet unknown.  ^{(5, 6, 7)}

Other Causes of Joint Pain

Other reasons a joint may be sore, swollen and/or stiff but isn’t arthritic may be:

• Disease—Certain diseases such as Adult Still’s, which is a rare inflammatory disorder, can cause joint pain. ⁽⁸⁾
• Injury—Joint and tendon injuries such as a sprained ankle or elbow tendinitis may also be the cause of joint pain.
• Gout—Those with high serum levels of uric acid, such as from excessive consumption of red meat, may develop symptoms of gout. It is an inflammatory condition which causes sharp crystals to form in the joints which then leads to sudden and extreme episodes of pain along with continued tenderness and swelling. ⁽⁹⁾
• Psoriatic arthritis—A form of arthritis unrelated to hormone production is psoriatic arthritis. However, it does occur mainly in those with skin psoriasis. ⁽¹⁰⁾
• Poor diet—Conditions stemming from a poor diet may include Rickets, which is a painful skeletal condition caused by vitamin D deficiency over extended periods. Poor food choices can also increase the body’s inflammation response, such as a diet high in sugar, wheat, grains, trans and hydrogenated fats and other processed ingredients. ⁽¹¹⁾

Are there Natural Ways to Reduce Joint Pain?

When it comes to joint pain, you need relief no matter what the cause. However, simply masking the pain with over-the-counter or prescription medications will do little more than provide temporary relief of your condition and may come along with dangerous side effects, as well.

For these reasons, it is recommended that you address the problem by treating it, rather than its symptoms.

For instance, if you are experiencing joint pain, you can try:

• Exercise—Sure, exercise may sometimes be the cause of your joint pain, although in the long run it does more to relieve it than induce it. This is because exercise improves circulation for faster joint repair, improves a joint’s range of motion, and strengthens muscles and tendons in and around it for better support. Try using low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking, cycling or swimming to not only help relieve pain, but improve your overall health, as well.
• Magnesium—Adding daily magnesium to your diet can not only help your muscles relax, improve your sleep and help you maintain a healthy sense of well-being, it can also help maintain your joint cartilage. Magnesium deficiency (hint: many of us don’t get enough of this important mineral) also causes inflammation along with increased sensitivity to pain. ⁽¹²⁾
• Epsom salts—Not only are Epsom salts a great way to absorb magnesium during your bath, mixing them in warm water for a soak also adds the soothing, circulation-inducing effects of heat and relaxation.
• Fish oil—A balanced mix of omega fatty acids including, omega 3, supports your body’s natural anti-inflammation response, which is essential in keeping your joints healthy and pain-free. You can both enjoy fresh, wild-caught fish from low food chain or cold-water sources such as salmon or sardines, or you can simply enjoy the convenience of a high-quality, all-natural supplement such as Hotze’s all-natural Omega Complete Fish Oil soft gels.
• Glucosamine sulfate, MSM and chondroitin sulfate—By renewing cartilage and reducing inflammation and scar tissue in joints, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and MSM may help improve joint mobility while reducing pain. This helps you stay active longer, which is critical in maintaining a healthy, mobile lifestyle well into your latter years. Try using a complete joint care formula, such as Hotze’s Joint Comfort which adds inflammation-fighting herbal extract Boswellia and bromelain enzymes to the mix for all-natural pain relief and joint care.
• Maintain a healthy diet—Not only will a poor diet lower your body’s ability to fight inflammation, it can accelerate wear and tear on weight-bearing joints as a result of weight gain and obesity. Instead, you need to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet of natural whole foods. It needs to be grain-free and include plenty of fresh, multi-colored fruits and vegetables, lean, grass-fed meats, poultry and fresh fish. You also need to replace any trans fats and hydrogenated oils in your diet with with olive oil, coconut oil, ghee (clarified butter) or other sources of balanced omega 3-6-9 fatty acids. Remember, if it’s white and processed (think white sugar, white flour and white fats), it’s not good for you!

Keeping Your Hormones and Joint Pain in Check

Declining or imbalanced hormone levels may have something to do with your joint pain and arthritis. However, ignoring the problem is a sure way not only to worsen it, but can also reduce your mobility along with your quality of life by permanently damaging joints.

This is why no matter what the source of your symptoms are, you need relief which goes to the root of the cause rather than merely treating the symptoms.

By performing daily, low-impact exercise, increasing your intake of magnesium and omega 3 fatty acid rich foods or supplements, and maintaining a healthy, all-natural, anti-inflammatory diet, you can better avoid painful joints along with the devastating effects of arthritis.

And, using a daily joint care supplement such as Dr Hotze’s Joint Comfort is a great way to keep the cartilage in your joints lubricated, full and healthy for active mobility well into your senior years.

However, joint replacement is expensive, painful, and requires time in the hospital, so don’t ignore your condition.

Besides, how can you show off your latest dance moves if your joints hurt?

Do you have symptoms of hormone decline?

Take our symptom checker to find out what your symptoms mean.

We believe that you deserve to have a doctor and a team of professionals to coach you onto a path of health and wellness, naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical drugs, so that you can enjoy a life-changing health transformation. Contact us today at 281-698-8698 for a complimentary wellness consultation.

It’s time to feel your best again and live life to the fullest!

References:

1. https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/osteoarthritis/what-is-osteoarthritis.php
2. https://speakingofwomenshealth.com/health-library/endocrine-disorders-and-joint-diseases
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4138926/
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130403200158.htm
5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130403200158.htm
6. http://clinchem.aaccjnls.org/content/46/3/414
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1003446/?page=2
8. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/adult-onset-stills-disease/
9. https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/what-is-gout.php
10. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Psoriatic-Arthritis
11. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/rickets-vitamin-d-deficiency/
12. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106345841830102X

Categories: Arthritis, Blog, Blog English, Hypothyroidism, Joint Pain, Testosterone

Tags: hormone decline and joint pain, hormones and joint pain, hypothyroidism and joint pain

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