Thyroid disease results from problems in the thyroid gland or due to over or underproduction of thyroid hormones. The thyroid hormones influence the functioning of various bodily organs. Also, a frozen shoulder creates pain and stiffness in the joints of the shoulder. The symptoms increase in intensity over some time. Additionally, the pain worsens if you try to move the shoulder. It is not a chronic condition and the symptoms generally clear within a span of a few years.
According to an endocrinologist, women have a higher risk for frozen shoulders. Also, people between the age group of 40 to 60 are prone to it. It is also found that a family history of the condition can also increase the chances of an individual acquiring it by 10%. Certain diseases or conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or thyroid gland conditions, can increase the chances of a frozen shoulder.
The three stages of frozen shoulder symptoms
Freezing Stage – The first stage is considered to be the most painful one. There is severe pain in the outer shoulder region. Moving the arm leads to increased pain and hence, performing even simple activities like brushing teeth or combing hair can be a difficult task.
Frozen Stage – In this stage, the movement of your arm reduces even further as it becomes stiffer. However, the pain reduces as the stiffness of the arms increases but the mobility of the arm decreases even further.
Thawing Stage – Gradually the stiffness and pain subside as you are slowly able to move your arm again.
Thyroid disease can mainly be of two types- hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism according to thyroid doctors. Both of these can be accessed at a diagnostic centre.
The Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and a Frozen Shoulder
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid glands produce fewer thyroid hormones. Therefore, leads to a deficiency of thyroid hormones in the body. This disrupts the heart rate, influences metabolism, and also body temperature.
Research to prove the relationship between the two has limitations. However, both are connected. Also, an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels has associations with severe frozen shoulder patients. Also, with people having hypothyroidism. Studies on patients with and without a frozen shoulder show that there were more cases of hypothyroidism among people with a frozen shoulder. There was a positive correlation between the severity of a frozen shoulder and hypothyroidism, indicating a relationship between the two.
The Relationship Between Hyperthyroidism and a Frozen Shoulder
Hyperthyroidism or the overproduction of thyroid hormones is common in elder women. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight gain, rapid heartbeat, anger or irritability, and excessive sweating. It can also have an impact on the frozen shoulder and increase the chances of the condition. Both of them cause weakness in the muscles. According to a study by an endocrinologist, patients having hyperthyroidism increases the likelihood of a frozen shoulder by 1.22 times. A thyroid doctor also supports these findings.
In hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, pain in muscles is quite common. Also, a frozen shoulder may be a type of pain in the joints of the shoulder. It may have connections to thyroid disease. Moreover, any kind of shoulder injury, immobilized shoulders, hormonal changes, etc. can also result in a frozen shoulder. These can be assessed at a diagnostic centre.
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