Thyroid and Spinal Health

[dustybrown]

Can thyroid disorders or hormonal imbalances cause degenerative spinal conditions like osteoarthritis? I know they can cause osteoporosis.

[goolarra]

I don't know if thyroid disorders CAUSE arthritis, but I do know they can exacerbate it unbelievably.  When I was hypo, my main (?hard to choose!) complaint was a lower back problem.  My muscles felt so weak that I literally had to stop en route from bed to coffee pot fo fear my back wasn't going to hold me up.  Since being on meds, the lower back has improved tremendously.  I have arthritis, so it's not 100%, but arthritis doesn't go away, so I guess I'm stuck with that part.  

Thyroid hormone imbalance can cause or worsen a whole lot of conditions.  Furthermore, it inhibits the body's ability to heal, so "little" injuries can linger and fester.  It affects the whole body.