Swallowing issue and hoarse voice

[Alma1]

Hi I have Hashimoto's for decades and take levothyroixine. I have found that my voice does not come out when I speak as it is so hoarse sometimes. Also when trying to eat an apple/grapes/drink or take tablets I suddenly start coughing as the liquid goes down my throat. I have to cough for a while and my eyes water and if I have food in my mouth I have to hold it in while the coughing subsides. People rush to me to pat me on the back as they think I am choking! I don't like taking large tablets and cut them in half because of this and I don't like the feeling of a scarf tight around my neck. I have had this issue for a long time and people comment on it. I told the GP for the first time today. She said it is caused because I am consuming acidic food such as apples and coffee and to take Gaviscon. She said that the hoarseness of my voice and swallowing issue are not related to my thyroid gland and that she cannot see a large swelling so it is not related to this. Does anyone have any advice please.

[Esinedharry]

I have exactly the same issues and have been told the same as you. I am having an endoscopy next week to check the acid. However I am sure it is a thyroid issue

[Alma1]

Thank you Esinedharry. It is confusing that some advice groups state that some symptoms may be linked to Hashis then the GP says they are totally unrelated issues.Hope your endoscopy procedure goes really well and that you get some answers.

[Lalatoot]

For me those are signs that I am undermedicated.

[Alma1]

Thank you Lalatoot.GP said a hoarse voice and swallowing issue was not to do with the thyroid though. I do not have obvious swelling on throat and she said this would be visible if there was a issue.Last time I was tested they said I was slightly over medicated.

[Marz in reply to Alma1]

You are only over- medicated if your T3 is over range - so did your GP test ? - and what was the result ?

[Alma1 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz.Guess what? They didnt test it.They just want their TSH level to prescribe according to their TSH level chart.

[Marz in reply to Alma1]

Very common I am afraid. It is the most important thyroid hormone and needed in every cell of the body. Low T3 is the cause of symptoms which requires treatment of statins - anti-depressants - blood pressure tablets - all very profitable !

Are you able to have Private Testing ? Lots of choices for home testing ...

[Alma1 in reply to Marz]

Yes I will go down this route.A bit reticent about paying privately after seeing a podiatrist (thyroid related tendonitis) and couldn't believe the total bill of - 500.00!Ouch.(sorry,off topic).They see me coming.Also GPs don't use other's tests I thought so would have to use private doctor to interpret or prescribe any meds too.

[greygoose]

My advice? Change your doctor. This one has no idea what she's talking about. Your thyroid is probably swollen on the side that isn't visible, so it won't necessarily show to the naked eye. Has she actually felt your thyroid, with her actual fingers?

I've had all of those symptoms, and they most certainly were connected to my thyroid. Tell your doctor you want an ultrasound, see if that shows anything up.

Do you know what your blood test results are? If so, post them on here, with the ranges, and let's have a look. You're probably under-medicated. If you don't have them, ask for a print-out at reception. If you live in the UK, it is your legal right to have a copy.

[Alma1 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose no she didn't feel my neck but a GP did 2 years ago and said it was ok. The GP todaysaid there would be a visible swelling if my thyroid was the cause.Will look up last results and post.

[greygoose in reply to Alma1]

A lot can change in two years.

I never had any visible swelling. I had Ord's, which is the same as Hashi's, only there isn't any swelling. So, the GP today should test your antibodies before she goes shooting her mouth off.

[Marz]

In your post of 3 years ago you mentioned about GP reducing dose which was based on your TSH. You do not have to reduce your dose - you can say you wish to stay on the same dose.

Your Ferritin was very Low at that time as was your VitD. Has that changed ?

[Alma1 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz,test results from July 2019 are Free T4 18.1 range 9-23,TSH 0.38 range 0.3-4.2 Vit D 86.9 range 70-150,Ferritin 31 ng/mi range 20-300.They didn't do T3 level.I had been in Florida in the May in the sun re: getting extra Vit D and use a spray too but still not that high.

[Marz in reply to Alma1]

Ferritin would be better around 70 ... helps conversion of T4 into T3. VitD almost there so keep going with the spray ... Have you read up on the co-factors magnesium and Vit K2-MK7 ?

[Alma1 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz.I admit that I haven't so must do that.Thank you.

[Marz in reply to Alma1]

Read Replies from SeasideSusie about vitamins and minerals. Click onto Members at top of page - type SeasideSusie into Search Box ... all will be revealed !

[Alma1 in reply to Marz]

Plus I stayed on my levothyroxine dose without reduction so that was good.

[london81]

i have had a sore throat ,swollen feeling in neck/throat and hoarse voice since i first started feeling very ‘hypo’. it has calmed down recently as i moved away from london where it is very polluted, and left a stressful job. I found it was worse around my time of the month: i am very confident this is linked to hashimotos/thyroid, and in my experience doctors /specialists seem to poo poo any mention of it being hashis. when i first presented at GP she said i must have insulin resistance ( i didn’t, i was fat because my immune system was destroying my thyroid and my temperature was 35.4 meaning crap metabolism, and fatigue due to the thyroid being killed off). since then i was sent for scan of thyroid and to see ENT- he said it was acid reflux ( it isn’t, i don’t have that). The only useful information i’ve had is from this forum- i’ve managed to overhaul my health and understand my condition, without any useful input from GP or endo. the endo conceded that i had become well on NDT( self medicating and funding), and she said she knew the t3 in NDT worked for lots of people, then she signed me back to GP.

I’m sure that in 10-20 years medics and scientists will realise they have misunderstood this illness, until then we can only help each other!

[Marz in reply to london81]

Oh dear I will have gone past my Sell by date by then !!

[london81 in reply to Marz]

never! 😊❤️

[london81]

ps- i fully support grey goose and marz above. tsh testing means nothing in order to know if you are adequately treated you need free t4,free t3, antibodies and b12/folate/ferritin testing

[Tina_Maria]

Swelling in the neck due to thyroid disease is a feature of hyper and hypothyroidism - if your GP has checked your thyroid 2 years ago and not recently, how can he/she say that your symptoms are not thyroid related? These kind of GP comments do not instil confidence in the level of education on thyroid disease!

You should insist to get an ultrasound scan, so they can properly assess if it is thyroid related or not and only then can this be excluded. Be persistent and don't let it rest.

[Alma1]

Thanks Tina_Maria.Yes I just feel they are so "on guard"about further referrals.