Hypothyroidism and difficulty swallowing

[TussyLucille]

I have hypothyroidism and am experiencing difficulty swallowing and choking when eating should I get this checked out.

[rosserk]

I have difficulty swallowing, I have hypothyroidism and sjogrens. It’s the sjogrens that causes the problem with swallowing because I don’t produce enough saliva. Sjogrens is common amongst people with hypothyroidism. I would certainly get it checked out.

[TussyLucille in reply to rosserk]

Thank you. Been thinking I should for a while now just needed someone to give me a nudge.

[rosserk in reply to TussyLucille]

Definitely don’t suffer. If it’s anything like I get it’s really scary when it happens. I have some mouth sprays and gel which helps a bit. Take a look at sjogrens and see if the symptoms fit. Good luck 😉

[Clarrisa]

Yes, it is essential to be checked out. Difficulty swallowing food &/or liquids can result in both entering your lungs & cause “aspiration pneumonia.” This can lead to a hospitalization, daily chest x-rays, major expenses, etc.

[TussyLucille]

Thanks I will. I really haven't felt well for so long night sweats, aches and pains all over, slight carpal tunnel like symptoms in hands and fingers, fatigue, weight gain, low mood and on and on. They have upt my Levo but I don't feel any better. Have had breast cancer, diagnosed fibromyalgia years ago but not sure if I believe that??? and have few other auto immune problems. Sorry that all sounds very self absorbed (reason why I won't go to doctor) but felt others in similar position might offer advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to TussyLucille]

You sound under medicated or low vitamin levels or have Hashimoto's

You will need Blood test 6-8 weeks after recent increase in dose

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get antibodies tested.

[Millea]

You should definitely go to the doctors and request the above mentioned blood tests. And you don’t sound self absorbed at all - you clearly have, and have had, a lot to deal with.

I hope, via the blood test results, that you get the right level of medication/vitamin levels ASAP and that you can start to feel better very soon.

All the best.

[Ruby1]

Irrespective of your hypothyroidism, it’s probably worth getting checked out isn’t it?

[JOLLYDOLLY]

Hi, I agree TussyLucille, Best get it checked to be sure. I have only a partial non working gland, but occasionally I do have choking fits and hard to swallow. Also had pneumonia which I would not wish on anyone.

What dose of T4 are you on and how long have you been on it?

Take care

[sally1976]

I have hyperthyroidism and was diagnosed last year with Sjogrens syndrome because of having trouble swallowing anything, very dry mouth and throat. This was diagnosed through a blood test. Because of having an auto immune disease you may get other auto immune diseases - well I do ! I'm coeliac with system lupus too. I've tried the mouth sprays and pastilles but they don't seem to do much, I just tend to carry water with me everywhere and drink as much as possible. Consultant also advised to chew sugar free gum and also use eye drops throughout the day as Sjogrens can give you dry eyes too.

Your not self absorbed and don't worry about pestering the GP - that's what they are supposed to be there for !! If you don't tell them your symptoms/problems they won't be able to treat you so you are just punishing yourself !! Just got to find a good GP !!

[rosserk in reply to sally1976]

Hi have you tried Biotene gel? It’s the best treatment I’ve had for dry mouth. I get a really sore tongue, feels like I’ve burnt it and the gel soothes it brilliantly. It’s also good if it wakes you in the night.

[sally1976 in reply to rosserk]

No I haven't ! Thanks for that. Fortunately my tongue is fine, just my mouth and throat is so very dry all the time. I drink lots of water and visit the loo lots of times lol.

[Jaybrooke]

I have hashimotos /hypothyroidism tho it took 19 years of suffering before I was correctly diagnosed . One of the many awful symptoms I had was difficulty swallowing .with me it was as if the muscles/or movement you use to swallow had stopped working . I would eat or drink something but it would stay in my mouth I just couldn't swallow it especially liquids. Many times in restaurants I would have to put the cup to my mouth as tho I was drinking and pour it back into the cup , sorry I know that sounds disgusting. Obviously it wasn't constant . The only medication that cured it and most of my other symptoms wasn't thyroxine but Natural dessicated thyroid .As many sufferers will know g p s and endocrinologists will not prescribe it (armour) the same as they won't prescribe T3 !!!! WHY???? Is it the cost ?? I now self medicate with thyrogold (dr john Lowe) I am lucky that I can afford to buy it others can not or they have never heard of it. This is the best I have felt in years and no problem swallowing in fact all symptoms are gone , amazing!!!

[Annkapp]

Until you get your thyroid meds worked out here are a few things to try or consider. Try taking a lot of magnesium (glycinate, malate, chloride, orotate). Magnesium helps with anything muscular.

The other thing is toothpaste -something that I learned recently. By any chance are you using a desensitizing toothpaste like sensodyne or toothpaste with desensitizing ingredient like potassium nitrate? These toothpastes act like putty and block the salivary glands causing dry mouth.

[Annkapp]

Hypothyroid problems cause loss of many minerals so try taking 1/2 tsp Celtic or Himalayan sea salt or Redmans Real salt in the morning in a full glass of water. Sea salt also contains some trace minerals. Or take a trace mineral supplement in addition to sea salt.

[Annkapp]

The salt may help you to retain some water/ fluids. Sounds like you may be very dehydrated (cant produce saliva) especially if you are sweating a lot at night.

[Happysmile]

I had similar problems, but for me, when I discovered I had a very low B12 level, it was the start of improvements. Now, most of my neurological symptoms including swallowing have been resolved by B12 injections. It’s taken a while and I’m sure my exhaustion is still down to thyroid problems, but it may be worth checking your B12 levels, folic acid and iron. Once you have the results, get a copy of them and the range as well and chat with B12 specialists on here, FB etc. It may not be anything to do with your symptoms but it’s definitely worth checking.

[TussyLucille in reply to Happysmile]

Thank you all so much I have found the advice and support very empowering. I will take notes into the Dr's with me next Thursday. I have neglected to say I am on 125 micrograms of Levothyroxine which I try and take between 5-7am. My TFT are I believe very basic last one said T4 10.2 and TSH 0.04 never been explained to me I have tried to look up but find the information given very confusing. Left not knowing what I should be arguing for other than I don't feel right???!!

[blondpalomino]

Hi Tussylucille,

does it feel like your throat is swollen as well? I had Hashimotos and my thyroid gland was enlarged and pressing on my throat, making it difficult to swallow,so I had to have it removed.

[TussyLucille]

Yes it does like I have something stuck in my throat. I've noticed it is worse at night, during the night and when I first wake up. A bit of a sore throat and sometimes the feeling that my tongue is too big for my mouth.

[jean66]

Hello Arrange for a sonogram of your thyroid soon. It may be enlarged and could have a position where it cannot be felt. Just had my very enlarged thyroid removed 2 weeks ago.