The endocrine system consists of a network of glands and organs responsible for producing, storing, and secreting hormones that help control and maintain important functions like reproduction, growth, and energy levels. There are many endocrine disorders that result from disruption in this complex system like growth disorders, diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and others.

Rheumatic conditions mainly occur in endocrine disease. Most hormones have the connective tissue cells as one of their targets, and they are involved in the function and development of these cells. The physical properties of the connective tissue differ and the functional capability varies if its components are altered by abnormal hormonal influence, leading to identifiable illness. The main endocrine disorders that cause joint diseases occur in the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, and parathyroid glands.

Pituitary Gland – Excessive growth in children (resulting in the child becoming a giant) or acromegaly (coarsening and enlargement of features) in adults occurs due to excessive production of growth hormones. Frequent back pain and degeneration of the large joints associated with marked bony overgrowth occurs due to the arthritis of acromegaly, which is a distinct type of degenerative joint disease.

As per the Pituitary Network Association, 98 percent of acromegaly cases are caused by benign tumors that cause the pituitary gland to produce too much growth hormone. Signs and symptoms of acromegaly include enlargement of the forehead and hand, thickening of the soles of the feet and palms of the hand, arthritis, sleep apnea, headaches, excessive sweating, carpal tunnel syndrome, loss of vision, and colon polyps. Joint enlargement and bony overgrowth mainly at the knuckles may occur, later leading to postural deformities with bow legs, spinal curvatures, and loose joints.

Thyroid Gland – Rheumatic conditions associated with thyroid gland include hypothyroid arthritis that occurs due to an underactive thyroid gland, and is related to excessive deposits of certain protein in the connective tissues. Symptoms include vague pains and aches, with knees, ankles, small hand and foot joints that are unusually thick.

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to cause what is called myopathies or the diseases that affect skeletal muscles or joint-related symptoms. Symptoms for hypothyroidism are tendonitis in the arms and legs, unintentional weight gain, carpal tunnel syndrome, general joint pain, stiffness, achiness, known as arthropathy, and thin, brittle nails and hair. Other symptoms are general muscular weakness and pain, including cramps and stiffness, swelling of the knee joint and small joints in the hands and feet. Even tarsal tunnel syndrome, similar to carpal tunnel, may occur with pain, burning, tingling, and other discomfort in the arch and bottom of the foot, and extend into the toes. Symptoms for hyperthyroidism include difficulty in climbing stairs, difficulty in holding or gripping objects with hands, and difficulty in reaching arms over the head. This condition results in an overproduction of thyroid hormones that cause nervousness, fatigue, heat intolerance, hand tremors, weight loss, muscle weakness, and mood swings.

Osteoporosis, which means porous bones, is a progressive condition, and can occur in thyroid disease because of a loss on calcium and phosphorous from the body. It occurs four times more likely in women than in men, and is a condition where the bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis could occur due to many factors including a decrease in testosterone occurring in men as they age, or a decrease in the hormone estrogen occurring during menopause in women.

Pancreas- Rheumatic conditions associated with pancreas include diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) that is a severe form of spinal wear-and-tear arthritis, also called Forestier disease, and occurs in 13 percent of diabetes. Symptoms include pain, stiffness or decreased range of motion in any affected part of the body, mainly occurring in the middle spine, and X-ray shows a large amount of bony overgrowth.

Diabetic charcot arthritis is a destructive form of arthritis that causes numbness, tingling or a loss of sensation in affected areas, which results in swelling, instability and deformation. Typical findings are created by a combination of infection, lack of blood flow, and small fractures, which cause eventual collapse of the foot structure with a poor gait and disposes the patient to calluses and ulcers.

Diabetic dissolving bone occurs without evidence of poor circulation or local nerve disease, and is a general loss of bone involving the fingers, toes, or feet. Severe pain may be present and the X-ray findings may resemble those seen in rheumatoid arthritis. It may heal completely, but may progress to complete dissolution of the bone.

Diabetic hand syndrome or cheiroarthropathy, is a disorder where the skin of the hand becomes waxy and thickened, leading to limited finger movement. It occurs commonly in people with a long history of diabetes where they may be unable to fully extend their fingers or press their palms flat together.

Osteoarthritis, a joint disorder characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage, may affect any joint in your body. People who have type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of acquiring osteoarthritis, likely due to obesity. Osteoarthritis may cause swelling, stiffness, joint pains, and loss of joint flexibility or movement.

Frozen shoulder is characterized by shoulder pain and limited range of motion, affecting only one shoulder. Though the cause is often unknown, diabetes is a common risk factor. It can cause tenderness or pain with shoulder movement, decreased range of motion, and stiffness of joint.

Parathyroid- Early dissolving of bones occurs due to bone disease from overactive parathyroid glands. Destructive arthritis also occurs in hyperparathyroidism, involving the knees and wrists, with the development of holes at the edges of the bone near the joints. The main problem is the softening of bone with cartilage thinning and stiffness.

Your doctor would consider all these possible endocrine disorders when you complain of symptoms arising from muscles, bones or joints. These would require appropriate tests, diagnosis and treatment. If medical therapy fails, surgical procedures could be considered.

By Harleena Singh, Staff Writer

About the author- Harleena Singh is a professional freelance writer with a background in teaching and education. She has a keen interest in food and health related issues and can be approached through her website http://www.freelancewriter.co.