Tunnel Syndrome? Check Your Thyroid Gland!

28 octobre 2025

2 min de lecture

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Tunnel syndrome is common, especially among those who work at the computer. But few people know that it can be a sign of a severe disease ‒ hypothyroidism.

Points clés

Tunnel syndrome is common, especially among those who work at the computer.
Cause and effect
Risk factors

Pour qui

Ceux qui explorent Hormones and thyroid à travers hypothyroidism, thyroid.

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Auteur de l'article

Dr. Nadja

Endocrinologist

Cause and effect

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), an underactive thyroid may be a contributing factor in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. While this seems odd, a closer look at the development of carpal tunnel syndrome explains it all.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow and rigid passageway in the wrist that houses the median nerve and tendons. The median nerve runs from the forearm to the palm and provides sensation to all fingers except the little finger. Tunnel syndrome occurs when swelling or inflammation forms in the carpal tunnel, compressing the median nerve. This condition is accompanied by tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand, wrist, or even forearm.

Hypothyroidism is a hormonal condition that affects all nerves in the body. This can lead to fluid retention, tissue swelling and pressure on peripheral nerves, including the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

Risk factors

In addition to hypothyroidism, there are other risk factors including heredity, structural damage to the wrist, pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory diseasessuch as rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, women are at higher risk. And, of course, repetitive motion of the hand and wrist in the same direction can trigger the development of tunnel syndrome.

According to NINDS, women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This is since their carpal tunnel area tends to be smaller.

Find and treat

Although hypothyroidism is only one cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, a knowledgeable physician must rule it out as well as other related conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and diabetes. During the examination, thyroid hormone tests and an ultrasound will need to be done.

Not all people with hypothyroidism develop carpal tunnel syndrome, nor vice versa, but having it makes a person more vulnerable.

If the tunnel syndrome is mild or in the early stages, you should avoid certain activities (such as monotonous work with a computer mouse). You may be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or steroids.

Acupuncture sessions and yoga can help reduce pain and make your arms stronger.

If these measures do not improve the condition or you have carpal tunnel syndrome in an advanced stage, then surgery may be required to reduce the pressure on the median nerve and increase the size of the tunnel. If the cause of tunnel syndrome is diagnosed as hypothyroidism, therapy with synthetic thyroid hormones can help relieve symptoms.

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