Can Hashimotos be caused by PMR?

Posted by lblauvel @lblauvel, Apr 26, 2023

In 2017 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto & put on Levothyroxine. After 2 yrs on meds & not feeling better I sought out an endocrinologist. He examined me & looked at my labs and told me my thyroid was fine, but he did agree that there must be something wrong that was causing my symptoms. He sent me to a rheumatologist who also checked my labs and did a hands on exam. He told me that although my labs didn’t show it, I had PMR, and was put on prednisone.
I was recently told that Hashimotos is often caused by another autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. That was an ahha moment, explaining so much.
Does anyone know if there is any validity to what I was told?
Any info would be helpful.
Thanks

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 26, 2023

Hi @lblauvel, I think PMR has a lot of friends in the autoimmune world but I'm not sure I've read about any direct connection. I did find this article with information on the topic.

"The presence of Hashimoto thyroiditis in a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica is a rare occurrence, as only a few cases have been previously described in the literature. The coexistence may be fortuitous, as the occurrence of autoimmune disorders is common in women."
--- Polymyalgia rheumatica and Hashimoto thyroiditis | ECE2006:
https://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0011/ea0011p171