Well it depends on which number is low, as to whether your thyroid function is over or under active.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or t3/t4
And an imbalance usually indicates further testing, as in a full panel.

Well I think the test was just TSH level but not T3 or T4 the rheumy said it was low and I have to have my PCP decide what to do further.

While I have never seen statistics, it looks like A LOT of people with RA, etc., also have thyroid problems. I don't think there is a hard and fast connection, but as most thyroid problems are autoimmune, and people with one autoimmune disease tend to get more, it all fits together.

Hyperthyroidism can be dangerous, and you should follow up with your PCP. Have you had weight loss, rapid heart rate, shaking hands? those are all signs that things are getting out of control.

Unfortunately no weight loss that's one side effect that might do me some good. Lol. But I have palpitations and am treated for irregular heart beat. Which I thought was due to me having trouble keeping my potassium up ( even tho I take a supplement) and I do have shaking hands but always thought that was from prednisone. I have not received my labs in the mail yet but as soon as I do I will show it to my Dr. As far as I know my TSH was .25

I think the cutoff on the lower end is about .5, so .25 is low. (My last TSH was .007, so yours has plent of room to sink!) Has whoever is treating your irregular heartbeat, etc., ever run thyroid labs?

No I hav had thyroid labs a few times once for gyn probs and once when I was first DX with RA. but they were always fine I just saw a new rhuemy and that's why he wanted new labs.

Makes sense, sort of. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease and so it RA. I have both of those plus a third one, Meniere's Disease. I guess once our immune system starts acting up, it's easier for it to attack other parts as well. In my Hashimoto's, I had to have the thyroid removed, but was able to keep the parathyroids. I think Hashimoto's is the most common thyroid ailment.

Kimberley,

I am a male and had to start taking a thyroid supplement roughly two months ago.

TheWino

Kimberley,

It is not uncommon for people with RA to have other autoimmune diseases as well. Hperthyroidism (Graves disease), hyothyroidism, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are quite common amongst people with RA. I have Hashimoto's (alternating low and high thyroid levels, which ultimately become hypothyroid).

If your TSH is low and you are experiencing palpitations, sweating, anxiety/panic attacks, heat intolerance...etc., then you may very well be hyperthyroid. The only way to find out is to have your TSH, T3, T4, and Thyroid antibodies checked. Many GPs only test TSH. You need the antibody tests to know.

There are medications that can be prescribed to control your heart rate (usually beta blockers), or some opt to take antithyroid medications which ultimately will make them hypothyroid and dependent on synthetic thyroid hormones (Synthroid) for life.

I take synthroid. It takes awhile to get the right dosing. Even then you have to take it on an empty stomach like 4 hours apart from other medications and supplements (esp calcium). It has made a world of difference for me.

Good luck. Get that testing done so you knowe what you are dealing with. An Endocrinologist is the best suited to treat thyroid issues.

I have RA and Hashimotos (under active thyroid) I had problems with the meds for thyroid. I was taking 25 mcg of Levothyroxine (generic for Levothroid) and developed an allergic reaction to it after about a year. My face would get real read and itchy. I would get heart palpitations from it. I don't know if maybe they changed on of the fillers in that med that might have caused it. My PCP had me stop taking it for 8 weeks to get it out of my system. I didn't get one heart palpitation for 8 weeeks. I had problems again when I tried starting it again. Then PCP sent me to an endocrinologist and she put me on Tirosint (Levothyroxine) It has no fillers or perservatives. They look just like little tiny fish capsules. I have no problems with that one. Your thyroid can definitely cause heart palpitations whether your under active or overactive. Sometimes the meds can cause it if your system can't tolerate it.

I go for an ultrasound Monday on thyroid if its clear them my dr. Will start meds I hope I don't have any growths. I have RA nodules on my voice box so we will c

I agree you need the antibody thyroid test (I think it is anti-tpo). I too have hashimotos, have had 2 ultrasounds on my thyroid in the past several years and my thyroid looks totally normal and healthy.

Yep. That is very true. People with RA, who are usually taking multiple medications have be careful that they take their synthroid at a different time. I take mine at least 4 hours before all my RA meds. Luckily, I have had no tachycardia (elevated heart rate) or any ill effects from Synthroid. Methotrexate...well that's another story.