Swollen throat

[Nannydell]

I have an under active thyroid and a hiatus hernia which causes reflux. My GP says it causes my "sore throats" but it's not sore it's swollen and one of my tonsils swelled up so large the GP referred me to hospital urgently. I had an mri scan and the tonsil was removed. It wasn't cancerous. My throat still gets swollen frequently. I wondered if it was an allergic reaction or due to tensing it up or to do with my thyroid. I also feel quite sick as well in the morning. I'm not pregnant. I'm 73! I have seen the GP recently though it was a locum. I should mention I'm new here. Has anyone else had something similar?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Is it always the same brand?

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges you can add?

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Low B12 is more common as we age

Thyroid hormones need good vitamin levels to work well

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?

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

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Nannydell in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you it looks like I don't know enough about the kind of tests I need to have. I suppose I've been too trusting of my GP to do everything required. I have levothyroxine 50 micrograms a day. I will spend some time studying your post. Looks like I found a good forum here. People are not only knowledgeable but kind and helpful too.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nannydell]

As others have said, we frequently have LOW stomach acid, not high acid when hypo

Virtually identical symptoms, but very different symptoms

However you can NOT just stop omeprazole

Omeprazole is a PPI, all PPI's tend to lower vitamins

First step is to test vitamins and supplement ones that are low to improve

B12 is especially effected

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

Magnesium also often affected. Little point testing magnesium as it very rarely shows deficiency in standard test

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

Many of us supplement magnesium. Loads of posts on here about magnesium

Low stomach acid and thyroid

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Frequently strictly gluten free diet helps with gut issues too

Come back with new post once you get results

[Nannydell in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you to all of you. I am going study carefully the advice I've been given and to act on it. I am very grateful. The fact that I also have a hiatus hernia doesn't help but I am going to work on your advice. It is all completely new to me and I feel optimistic about it now.

[HLAB35]

Could be a number of things, but the gut is something I suspect is a problem here...Undertreated hypothyroidism often results in low, not high, stomach acid which actually causes reflux, as the valve that releases the stomach contents into the duodenum is pH dependent.. often with hypothyroidism the gut is not killing enough of the bad microbes such as Candida that can lead to allergy (mouth and throat infections are a classic symptom of candida overgrowth). Best to get an up to date thyroid panel done to include antibodies as Slow dragon says. In the meantime antihistamines could help, but a supplement of selenium may help with thyroid hormone conversion and lowering antibodies. Look at Dr Sarah Myhill's website and search for 'Hypochlorhydia' symptoms. Another possibility is a histamine issue, but you would probably know by now if you have weird reactions to meals. Taking digestive enzymes such as the ones by Biocare may help you to overcome your reflux problems, also Goldenseal is earning a reputation for fighting yeast infections. Supplement companies probably have a helpline.

[Nannydell in reply to HLAB35]

Thank you. You have given me a lot to think about. I need to take some time to think about your information and properly take it in. I have to take omeprazole for stomach acid.

[HLAB35 in reply to Nannydell]

The fact that you are on a PPI (omeprazole ) concerns me as this will contribute to low stomach acid. It's worth reading the following article (in the link). GERD is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Unless you've had a proper scan it is difficult for your GP to be certain that your reflux is caused solely by a hiatus hernia. They now recommend courses to be limited to a six month period.

refluxmd.com/relationship-h...

One of the bigger dangers of PPIs is that they can lead to (among other things) b12 deficiency.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

Just an added thing to say is that having been through something similar several years ago (with GERD and PPIs) I do recommend bone broths as they do a good job soothing the lining of the oesophagus. Obviously no good if you're vegetarian, so an alternative would be to take l-glutamine powder (morning only as it keeps you awake) dissolved in some water - tastes of socks, but is very good. Golden paste is another thing to try which is turmeric cooked in coconut oil with a bit of black pepper and added to warm coconut or almond milk. Really hope you can get a 2nd opinion soon!!

[Tugun]

Hi,

There are many things your throat could be - even infected. Have a check up with a specialist. Did they find out why your tonsil was so swollen?

[Nannydell]

Thank you Tugun - it's sounds stupid but I didn't ask. I was just relieved that it wasn't cancerous. The last doctor I saw - a locum said she could see no infection in my throat but I wondered if it my be further back.

[Marz]

Symptoms of low acid is the same as high acid. Do your research and read all the links you have been given. Taking Omprazole can lead to Alzheimers I read recently ... it just a money spinner.