Does Hashimotos affect your voice?

[Syd35]

I have noticed over the last few weeks a change in my voice. It almost feels like I have been shouting loads and I'm about to lose my voice.

I have always sang and made music and have also noticed when singing I can't hit the high notes like I used to and my voice goes all squeaky.

Is this just another thing that happens to us Hashi sufferers / has this happened to anyone else?

[MY04zzz]

Hi Syd35 My voice becomes more hoarse when under medicated with levothyroxine.

We don’t know what medication you are taking, but Is there a possibility you need a raise in dosage?

[Syd35 in reply to MY04zzz]

Thanks for the reply MY04zzz. Been stable on 125mcg Thyroxine for quite a while and otherwise feeling pretty well so don't think I need an increase. Appreciate the idea though 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Voice being affected suggests under medicated or poor conversion of Ft4 to ft3

Do you get Ft3 and vitamins tested Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto’s. Can see you have previously had low ferritin and vitamin D

When were these last tested?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

On just levothyroxine, Ft3 is often too low, especially if vitamins are not optimal

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[Syd35 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon. Yes familiar with all you've said (been diagnosed hypo since 2016) and been around this forum for a few years. Appreciate you taking the time to reply though 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Syd35]

What was your latest Ft3?

[Syd35 in reply to SlowDragon]

They don't tend to test my T3.

[Syd35 in reply to Syd35]

Just looked back managed to get it tested 3 years ago, it was 4.7 (4-7) and was told it was in range. Did trial T3 but felt worse on it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Syd35]

So Ft3 far too low

Ft3 only 23% through range

Ft3 needs to be at least 50-60% through range

Getting all four vitamins optimal often helps

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Often essential before considering trying addition of T3

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Syd35]

Suggest you put a full thyroid and vitamin test on your Christmas gift list...or treat yourself in the new year

[silverfox7]

Hope this helps! I was similar when first diagnosed but once optimal I got my voice back!

[Syd35 in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks silverfox7 there's hope then 🙏 😊

[Cooper27]

It can happen, although I'll also say I noticed this was a side-effect of the lockdown. My vocal cords are getting strained quite easily, because they're just not being used as much or in louder situations. Any time I meet someone outside of the house or have a longer zoom these days, my voice sounds like I spent last night at the pub, shouting over loud music... I dunno if that's reassuring to you at all, but thought it was worth mentioning as a right now thing When we start going out more, I'll probably try to do some vocal warm ups before I leave the house.

[Syd35 in reply to Cooper27]

Thanks Cooper27 interesting perspective. Now I wonder if it may be that I've become a more shouty mum during lockdown 🙈😆