Throat problems

[Floydy102]

Hello Everyone

I do hope everyone is keeping well in these very strange times. I was wondering if anyone can help me. I was diagnosed with thyroid problems (Hashimotos) in October 2019. I have had problems with swallowing all of this time and a while before. I have had the camera down the throat that showed nothing. Some days it seems worse than others. Last week I shined my phone torch in my mouth and at the back of my mouth behind my tongue I can see a swelling, a bit bobbly with a couple of marks and my speech sounds a bit thick (nothing from the front of my neck). I phoned the doctors in a state of panic to be asked if I could send a photo which I did. The doctor got back to me as she thought I had severe tonsillitis but it was only on one side. I asked would I have had it for so long. Anyway, to cut a long story short she has given me 10 days of very strong antibiotics and I have a phone consultation with the ENT part of my local hospital next Thursday. Apart from that, I was with the right medication and vitamins starting to feel so much better. Still a bit heavier weight wise than I would rather be but feeling so much better than about 11 months ago. Please help

Kay

[greygoose]

It could very well be that you are under-medicated. But, to know that, we'd need to know how much levo you're taking, and the results of your last blood test, with ranges.

Throat problems are very often to do with thyroid - although tonsillitis is something else. So, it's very important to be optimally treated. And, very few doctors know how to do that.

[Floydy102 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose thank you for your reply. I am currently taking 125 of thyroxine. My latest blood results are below:

Folate - Serum 2.88 ug/L > 3.89

Vitamin B12 - Active 59.1 pmol/L > 37.5

Vitamin D 26.7 nmol/L 50 - 175

TSH 0.053 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.2 R

Free Thyroxine 20.9 pmol/L 12 - 22 R

Free T3 5.35 pmol/L 3.1 - 6.8

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 520 kIU/L < 115

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 36.4 kIU/L < 34

CRP HS 5.33 mg/L < 5

Thank you once again for your support with this

[greygoose in reply to Floydy102]

Your nutrients are all much too low. Are you taking any supplements?

Your CRP is too high. This is an inflammation marker. Not surprising you have inflammation, but are you taking Vit C to combat it?

Your high antibodies say you have Hashi's.

Free Thyroxine 20.9 pmol/L (12 - 22) 89%

Free T3 5.35 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 60.81%

So, as you can see, your FT4 is quite high, but your FT3 is possibly too low to make you well. Your conversion isn't brilliant. And, increasing your levo could make it worse.

Your poor conversion could be due to those low nutrients, so you really do need to bring those levels up a bit. But, it could just be due to having Hashi's, and there's not much you can do about that.

And, there again, your throat problems could be due to the lowish FT3, or could be that your thyroid is just swollen, due to the Hashi's. And that could be why your CRP is high. I really would recommend high doses of vit C. But, start low, and work up slowly to bowel tolerance. Vit C can have some unwanted effects 'down there', if you take too much.

[Hidden]

Hi Floydy102,

I also have hashimotos and mine all started with swallowing problems . this is due in my case and usually due to a goitre pushing against the wind pipe. I feel for you it is awful and quite frightening not being able to swallow . i have also had a camera down by an ent doctor through my nose which was all clear but an ultrasound of my thyroid confirmed a goitre . mine like yours flares then will be okay for a while. I found that being on the right dose of medication helps. But like you I consistently have suffered with this since being diagnosed. In my case I find Brazil nuts due to the high selenium helps and fresh squeezed lemon and hot water to reduce swelling . my tounge swells on one side when its flared. Like you I find it difficult to keep it at bay . I hope you are okay and I completely understand how awful it must be for you.

Have you found anything that helps reduce it at all ?

X

[Floydy102 in reply to Hidden]

Hi PinkLady

I can't thank you enough for your reply. I am absolutely worried out of my mind regarding this problem. I will most certainly be getting some lemons and brazil nuts to try.

Thank you thank you for taking the time to reply

[Luci20]

Have you had your thyroid blood tests retested recently? Throat problems can also be because you are taking too much levothyroxine. My neck has been really swollen recently and I have had sore throats on and off and difficulty swallowing. I had another blood test and doctors said my thyroid is overactive now because I am taking too much levothyroxine. Could also be because you are not taking enough if your TSH is really high. I have had throat problems on and off for the past year since I got diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. My neck always seems worse on the days that I take a higher dose of levothyroxine.

[Floydy102 in reply to Luci20]

Hi Luci20

Thank you for your reply my last blood test was in February. So I am due one now. I have just been trying to stay away from the doctors surgery for obvious reasons.

But I must get one booked in

Thank you

[Skyd]

I had this problem before finding it hard to swallow or swelling on one side of my throat been to the doctors they gave me antibiotics told me because of my thyroid it can cause inflammation and infection from time to time I do have trouble eating and swallowing food so I have to avoid certain foods.

[Floydy102 in reply to Skyd]

Hi Skyd

Thank you for replying. Yep absolutely the same here sometimes it almost seems impossible to swallow certain foods without having a big glass of juice.

The doctor felt exactly the sme as yours and this is why she has given me 10 days of antibiotics.

Thank you

[Happysmile]

Hi. I had trouble swallowing before I found out I was seriously B12 deficient. I have regular injections and it stopped the problem. If my injection is at all late the sensation comes back. I also have thyroid issues but have these under control. I”ve had the camera etc. It would definitely be worth checking your B12 levels and Vit d, folate etc. Just read up about B12 as not many doctors know much about it and even if you are in range, you can be deficient. Also, ensure you haven’t taken B12 for some time before testing. I am not medically trained, I just research a lot, which has helped me hugely.

[Floydy102 in reply to Happysmile]

Hi Happysmile

Thank you for replying. From my last blood results my B12 seemed fine. I do take vit D and

Folate.

Thank you

[Floydy102]

Hi Scrumbler thank you for your reply. After the appointment with the ENT I will then contact my GP again.

[Foggyk]

I have had hashimotos for 18 years .

I started having the sore throat and swallowing problem about 6 months ago.

I've just had the camera down my throat and all clear. I was told I probably had acid reflux.

I'm now wondering if it's actually my thryroid after reading your post.

I hope you find some relief.

It sounds like your not alone

[Floydy102 in reply to Foggyk]

Thank you so much