Difficulty swallowing: Some time back (about... - Thyroid UK

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Difficulty swallowing

foxglove profile image
10 Replies

Some time back (about 8 months ago) I started having difficult swallowing, first food - seemed to lodge in throat as I tried to eat, now it's also tablets and even sometimes liquid. I am going through a very stressful time and maybe anxiety is the cause? Anyone got any advice or help as to how I can deal with this?

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foxglove profile image
foxglove
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10 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Foxglove,

Ask your GP to palpate your throat and neck to see whether a lump can be detected. If so, an ultrasound scan should be ordered to check the condition of your thyroid gland.

If there is no swelling or lump you may be experiencing globus sensation. patient.info/health/globus-...

Marz profile image
Marz

How are your B12 levels ? Low B12 can affect the nerve reflexes involved in swallowing. Scroll down in the link below and see the signs and symptoms of B12D. So many are neurological ones.

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to Marz

Thanks for reply, had B12 tested a long time back and was ok then, but maybe not now, and I understand that if one takes B12 excess is excreted so will try that. my feeling is that I need to stop being such a worrier and I do have real stress at present.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to foxglove

If you look at the link I posted above you will see that anxiety is one of the many symptoms of LOW B12. Having a result that was OK means it was in range - but where you are in the range is so important. You need it around 1000 to prevent cognitive decline and when under 500 can be the cause of neurological conditions. Having good levels of all the B's will help you to cope with the stress. Lots of VitC also good for the adrenals - the stress response glands.

108Optimist profile image
108Optimist

Are you being treated for hypothyroid? Stress can reduce your body responsiveness to thryroid hormones. In turn the less response, the less coping you are able to do! Difficulty swallowing is a symptom of hypo so ask yourself if you are having any other symptoms?

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to 108Optimist

Am hypo on 25mcg levo which I no is a low dose but if I go higher I become hyper Results on 25 mcg (including T3 are good) however soon be time for annual check and of course things might have changed!!!

108Optimist profile image
108Optimist in reply to foxglove

Well if you feel good then perhaps your dose is good 😀 clutters advice is good 😀 if you think anxiety is the cause as you have said, then can you try a guided relaxation plenty on YouTube. Take care

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to 108Optimist

Thanks for reply.

Chloececilia profile image
Chloececilia

Hi foxglove, sorry to hear you're getting this, it's a horrible feeling! I have had this feeling due to anxiety when my thyroid function results are normal, so, while we can't say it is nothing to do with the thyroid because it may well be, I do know I also get it with anxiety.

I am interested to read about the link to B12 which is good advice.

foxglove profile image
foxglove

Thanks for reply, good info to take on board.

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