Throat feeling tight: Throat feeling tight and... - Thyroid UK

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Throat feeling tight

Prater profile image
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Throat feeling tight and feels like something is stuck at the back of my throat. Had an ultra scan and that was all clear no lumps or goitre.

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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you been supplementing your low vitamins as per previous post?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Presumably you are still only on 50mcg Levothyroxine?

Ask GP to retest thyroid levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you MissGrace for your response yes I have Hashis with high antibodies am still on 50mg Levo doctors seem not do anything they keep saying my thyroid levels are normal. Am having another private test done for bloods at the end of the month. Am taking 4000iu vitamin D. They won’t do an iron panel test as they saying my iron levels are in range. Just don’t know what to do. My neck is burning and it’s red it looks like a belt strap on my throat.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Throat may be an infection. Have you seen GP

Very important to regularly retest vitamins, especially with Hashimoto's

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slowdragon, can you please advice my gp has asked me to take my levythroxine at night. How many hours after food can I take the medication before bed.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Lots of us take Levo at bedtime. Certainly more convenient, can also be more effective

Leave 2 hours after a standard meal, 3 hours after a feast.

Nothing apart from water for at least an hour before or after Levothyroxine

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and take last Levo dose 24 hours prior to test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If doing blood test early on a Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose of Levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Take Sunday evening dose after blood test on Monday morning. You can still take Monday evening dose as normal

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your quick response I use magnesium spray before bed is it still okay to use before bed if am taking my leythroxine at night.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Magnesium spray on skin you mean?

Not supplements you swallow ?

Yes on skin is fine.

If using magnesium supplements then these should be minimum of four hours away from Levo

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hello, I have started taking my levy at night for the last couple of days but today am feeling really tired and sleep even though I have had almost 8 hour sleep. Can you please advise.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

50mcg Levothyroxine is only a starter dose. Likely you are ready for 25mcg dose increase

Ideally stick on taking at nighttime for 6-8 weeks before getting bloods retested

See GP soon to get blood test form

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

When getting a blood test, say on a Monday morning....on Saturday evening dose of Levothyroxine delay taking until Sunday morning. Sunday evening dose of Levothyroxine tale immediately after blood test on Monday morning. You can still take Monday evening dose as per normal

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

TSH should be around one and FT4 in top third of range, FT3 at least half way in range

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

* This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi, can you please advice I need to take iron tablets is it best to take them in the morning? Can u take my vitamin d at the same time? How long should I wait before I can drink tea and breakfast. As I take my Levthroxine at night.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

You can take iron after breakfast perhaps with some vitamin C as this can help to improve iron absorption

Vitamin D - if tablets take with food at lunch or dinner

If vitamin D mouth spray you (eg by Better You)

can use after breakfast too

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi, can you please advice I have broken out with real bad acne on my face. How can I treat this.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Are you supplementing any vitamin B complex? Or B12?

B12 - too much or too little can be linked to acne

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for you response no am not taking any form of B supplement. Only supplement am taking is zinc and iron which I only started this week. I think I have a gut leak which am working with a nutrienist. I had to stop taking iron as this made my gut worse.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

So in previous post all your vitamins were on low side

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Have you started supplementing vitamin D?

Or magnesium

Vitamin D is too low. Aiming to improve to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

It's trial and error what dose each person needs.

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there. Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamin D

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

healthy-holistic-living.com...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

Do NOT supplement any vitamin K if you take any blood thinning medication

drsinatra.com/vitamin-k2-su...

B12 and folate on the low side.

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).

Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Ferritin low

Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve levels. Other iron rich foods plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your response I am currently taking 4000iu vitamin D in tablet. I my next set of blood tests on the 3rd April and appointment with the thyroid specialist regards to my medication. Do you advice for me to start taking the B vitamin or should I start after blood results?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Probably don't start until after blood tests

Only ever add one supplement at a time and wait at least ten days to assess each one

Always stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before blood tests

You might want to only supplement B12 and folate.....unless you can find a B complex without biotin

biotin is in almost all B complexes

Biotin may be linked to acne

Or it may actually be low B5 causing it

In which case a vitamin B complex containing all B vitamins would be good idea

Trial and error what works I guess

hbfit.com/does-biotin-cause...

Taking vitamin D, can increase our need for B vitamins as body starts to repair

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slowdragon,

Hope you are well. I have a few questions to ask you if you can advise.

1) vitamin results back

B12- 230pmol/L

Ferritin 22.9 NM0L/L

Folate 22.9nmol/L

Vitamin D 128nmoL/L

What do you advise for the above.

2) the endocrinology I had seen last week he has upped my medication levtheoxine 75mg he also did a hornmonal test to see if acne and hair loss was related and those results have come back normal. But he aims to lower my Tsh.

He also said my thyroid is slightly swollen.

3) my acne is still bad but am on antibiotics from the gp. Am gluten and dairy fee but I feel that I need calcium in my body. Recently been feeling really emotional and since my medication has been increased I have been getting night sweats but I don’t know if that is related due to my starting my period. I have burning hands and tingling sensation in my legs. I also had a nerve test done this week which has come back normal.

I would be very great full if you can advise on the above as all the previous advise you have given has helped me soo much. I really appreciate it.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Can you add the ranges on ferritin and B12 please

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi my vitamin range is as follows.

Your result is deficient

230

pmol/L

0

110

300

569

Dr. R. Hoenderkamp

Your B12 is low. Please add B12 rich foods to your diet and repeat in 4-6 weeks.

About this result

Ferritin

ALL RESULTS NORMAL

Ferritin measures the amount of iron stored in your body. It can be used to help diagnose anaemia or iron overload. Ferritin levels can also be elevated with infection, inflammation and conditions affecting the kidneys and liver.

Ferritin

Your result is normal

16

ug/L

13

44

150

About this result

Folate

ALL RESULTS NORMAL

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is needed for a healthy liver, as well as healthy skin, hair, and eyes. Symptoms of a deficiency may include feeling tired, pins and needles and shortness of breath.

Folate

Your result is normal

22.9

nmol/L

8.83

40

60.8

About this result

Vitamin D

ALL RESULTS NORMAL

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and helps with maintaing healthy skin and bones. It also plays an important role in your immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to fatigue, bone and muscle pain, as well as getting ill more often than usual.

25-hydroxy Vitamin D

Your result is normal

128

nmol/L

50

75

100

250

Am having problems from my laptop in sending you the attatchement. Hope the above makes sense.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Your B12 is extremely low

Will GP run tests for Pernicious Anaemia?

Ideally you would be tested first before starting any B vitamin supplements

If not you will need to just self supplement B12

Jarrow do a good sublingual B12. Recommended to start on 5000mcg ones, when finish that bottle move on to 1000mcg ones

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Formula...

Ferritin is dire. Needs to be at least half way in range. Again GP should run full iron panel test for Anaemia. You can have low iron and low ferritin or it can be that iron is ok, just ferritin is low

Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve ferritin. Also good quality daily vitamin C, plus other iron rich foods

Vitamin D is good. Suggest you reduce to 1000iu and retest in 2-3 months. It's trial and error what dose everyone needs

Folate may drop once you start on B12. So you need to retest in 2-3 months

You might add a good quality daily vitamin B complex to keep all B vitamins optimal

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).

Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your response my GP will not look at blood results that have been done privately unless they are tested by NHS labs. Do you think I should try taking the b complex and retest in 5-6 weeks. Or see a private doctor.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Then ask GP to test B12, folate and ferritin on NHS

Blue Horizon and Medichecks use same labs as NHS

Are you sure Folate is 22.9 .....seems odd it's exactly same result as ferritin

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Sorry that was error my folate is 22.9 and ferritin is 16 if/L

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

So your ferritin is even lower

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Yes i will go and see my GP today and see if he can do the tests i have also got my b complex do you think its worth starting them. as am really confused in what to do.

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

I went to see my gp and they have said to change my diet Ie start eating dairy and gluten lol as they don’t believe in antibodies. And they told me they will retest my bloods in 6 weeks time. And in the mean time try a B complex. Doctors are real waste of time I don’t think they understand anything about thyroid.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Yes ...sadly true

Thousands on here find similar situation

So you can start vitamin B complex

Remember to stop this 5-7 days before all blood tests

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Your low vitamins are nothing to do with poor diet

They are entirely due to Hashimoto's and being hypothyroid

Hashimoto's is as much a gut issue as the thyroid

GP's just don't understand this

Getting vitamins optimal is essential for thyroid hormones to work well and then the blood test results reflect how hypothyroid you are, then able to get dose of Levothyroxine increased by GP

So you need to work on improving ferritin and B12

Starting with daily good quality vitamin B complex, but as your B12 is so low you may also need sublingual B12 as well, at least for 2-3 months, may be longer

Jarrow do a good sublingual B12. As you have low B12 symptoms, starting on a bottle of 5000mcg strength (or 2-5 tablets per day of the 1000mcg ones, for few weeks) before dropping to 1000mcg for several months. Then try reducing to alternate days, etc before stopping

Likely to need to carry on vitamin B complex much longer/indefinitely. Perhaps at reduced rate

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

If your B12 blood level is below 500pg/ml it should be supplemented as a separate, daily pill of 1000 mcg/day for several years. in addition any other B complex pills such as B50 and B100. B50 has 50 mcg of B12, B100 has 100 mcg, these doses are not enough for the person who is B12 deficient. So B12 must be taken as a separate pill of 1000 mcg.

Suggest you also order coeliac test online. It's very easy, gives immediate result, like a pregnancy test. You need to be eating high levels of gluten for 2-3 weeks before testing

Assuming test is negative you can immediately start on strictly gluten free diet. Try this for 3-6 months

Vast numbers of Hashimoto's patients notice significant benefits

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your response and advice i have a real bad gut leak as my stomach is very sensitive to all foods that am eating, so definitely have a gut issue. I have been gluten and dairy free for 5 months and i have not seen any difference. I have a nutritionist who i mentioned about my low vitamin levels and she has suggested i don't start the b complex as that will cause more damage to my Gut is this true as i don't know what to do. what do you advice to my low folate levels do i supplement on that. For the last two days i have been taking B12 and am not sure if that has made my stomach worse.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

The most important thing is to get dose of Levothyroxine increased

Your gut is so bad because you are only on starter dose of Levothyroxine

How long have you been on 50mcg Levothyroxine? When were bloods last tested?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Getting TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested is next step and dose increased

If GP refuses to test, you will need to get private testing and go over GP's head to see a recommended thyroid specialist

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists

please email Dionne at

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

As you improve vitamin levels, it's likely TSH is increasing, because good vitamin levels enables body to process thyroid hormones. So it becomes apparent in blood test results how hypothyroid you actually are

Then dose of Levothyroxine can be increased

You might consider just adding half a tablet of Igennus vitamin B complex now. Or alternatively wait and get Thyroid levels tested first

Never heard of B vitamins damaging the gut. B vitamins are made in the gut. They need good vitamin D to maintain good gut biome, then B vitamins can grow within the gut. Low vitamin D and low B vitamins are often found together as explained here

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

Levothyroxine doses

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

* This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

I was on 50mg but they have increased it to 75mg is been two weeks since I have been taking the 75mg. The doc will retest in 6-8 weeks time. To see if my TSh level come down. But I have ordered a test kit which I will do next week.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

There's absolutely no point testing thyroud levels (TSH, FT4 and FT3) until after 6-8 weeks on constant dose

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Always stick with same brand of Levothyroxine

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Concentrate on improving your vitamin levels while waiting to get full Thyroid and vitamin testing in 4-6 weeks

Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption

You can buy iron supplements over the counter.

Perhaps put up a new post asking about iron supplements

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Burning hands and feet is peripheral neuropathy

Common with low B12 and other low B vitamins

Common when hypothyroid especially Hashimoto's and especially if been improving vitamin D as this increases need for B vitamins as body starts to repair

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

Night sweats can be low B12 too

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g52...

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).

Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Ferritin needs to be half way in range

Prater profile image
Prater in reply toSlowDragon

Hi can you please advice on my vitamin ranges, and can you advice if i should carry on taking 4000iu vitamin d or should i reduce the dose? if so what would you recommend. Thank you again for your help and support.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Vitamin D is now at good level

You need to reduce to maintenance dose. Trial and error what each person needs

Perhaps 1000iu daily, or might only need alternate days

Retesting after 2-3 months, to see if level is stable or dropping

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPrater

Acne is often related to B12 issues

MissGrace profile image
MissGrace

Do you have hashis? I feel like I’m being throttled sometimes - like a tight hand round my neck and can have difficulty swallowing - I have to kind of do a double swallow sometimes to get things down properly. I think it’s when my thyroid is a bit swollen and inflamed as a result of hashis. It comes and goes. Nothing to worry about as far as I know (unless it really is affecting breathing or making you choke.) 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

I had that too. Felt throat tightness, food sometimes get stuck in my throat to Esophagus. Took tests. Thyroid is fine, no goiter, etc. It’s related to bad acid reflux. I took PPI. Then a week later, it went away. Do you go to ENT to check it out? Don’t worry, it will go away. You will be ok.

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