Sinus problems

[Jamima]

Is there a link between sinus problems and low thyroid and/or cortisol?

[Hidden]

Absolutely one of most draining symptoms when levels out (high or low as Hashis) is chronic sinus infections, ear fullness and sinus pressure headaches. Sometimes with head spinning sensation and horrid mucus post nasal drip cough thing. Sorry for the detail. When levels more at my normal- gone!! It’s listed on TUK under their list of symptoms so you’re not imagining it. I have no idea what my cortisol is doing at those times so couldn’t rule this out x

[Jamima in reply to Hidden]

I can tick all of those! Thank you.

[Imaaan]

Absolutely. I read a study a year or two ago about a patient that struggled with sinus issues and was given everything under the sun to correct it but nothing worked until their hypothyroid levels were corrected.

[Jamima in reply to Imaaan]

I feel like that patient. Thank you.

[Imaaan in reply to Jamima]

Me to. I've dealing with congestion for a very long time. I recently learned that silent reflux can also be a cause of it as well which I have too. Good luck on your journey

[Jamima in reply to Imaaan]

Thank you Imaaan - about to start another journey with the ever hopeful prospect of finally being diagnosed, and treated.

[Framboise in reply to Imaaan]

Interesting! I was recently told by an ENT surgeon that congestion could be caused by silent reflux and I needed Omeprazole to cure it, then by a respiratory specialist that reflux certainly didn't cause congestion. The whole thing is a vicious circle.

[Imaaan in reply to Framboise]

Unfortunately didnt cure my congestion when I was on Omeprazole. Whenever my reflux is bad my congestion is worse and my apnea is even worse. On a side note, I'm not particularly fond of ppi. Whenever I have a flare up nowadays I stick to slippery elm and marshmallow root and if it's bad an h2 blocker.

[Framboise in reply to Imaaan]

Thanks for telling me that. I have read enough about PPIs not to have started the Omeprazole so will try slippery elm and marshmallow instead. I always prefer a more natural approach, if there is one!

[Hidden in reply to Imaaan]

Yes Imaaan- I had 5 courses of antibiotics and nasal sprays without success!! Me also that patient 😂

[Imaaan in reply to Hidden]

Your poor gut microbiome. I hope your sinus issues improve

[Hidden in reply to Imaaan]

I know Imaaan- one problem causes another 🙄 Thank you 🙏 and you fingers crossed good thyroid levels gets rid. It always does for me so 🤞x

[Imaaan in reply to Hidden]

Yes hopefully

[Jamima]

That would make a lot of sense. Thank you.

[Rocky]

I was told once by an ENT consultant when I had been referred for a scan on my sinuses, that if your Thyroid isn't being treated properly that it can cause sinus infections. At the time I had had my Levothyroxine reduced by 50mcg a day by a stupid GP, because I had a high heart rate and high blood pressure. It was early days for me and I didn't quite understand thyroid levels and medication until I joined this forum. I certainly would never let it happen again. It took me ages to get back to feeling much better, after having my Levothyroxine increased

[Jamima in reply to Rocky]

That makes an awful lot of sense. You were lucky with your consultant, mine just kept pumping me with steroid nasal drops that made absolutely no difference. We live and learn.

[Rocky in reply to Jamima]

I know and I was given steroid nasal sprays before my diagnosis of Hashimotos. My sinus scans always came back as clear and it wasn't until I was on optimimum treatment of Levothyroxine that I didn't get sinus infections anymore. I didn't realise the link to the thyroid until I was told

[Jamima in reply to Rocky]

Same as my sinus scans. But the pain and pressure was still there.

[Rocky in reply to Jamima]

Yes that's how I was at the time too

[Delgor]

Oh yes Jamima - I ended up having an operation to drain my sinuses as I was forever on antibiotics at one time but amazingly was told that there was very little mucus in my sinuses and that it must be some form of allergic rhinitis. Another needless op as the problem went away years later when I was on the right medication.

[Jamima in reply to Delgor]

It’s just mind boggling.

[Framboise]

Thank you for asking this, I had no idea there was a connection! I'm dealing with chronic sinus problems and constant catarrh in my throat. Recently an ENT specialist arranged a scan and told me my sinuses were clear therefore I probably had silent reflux, and so he prescribed Omeprazole which I'm too nervous to take. A few weeks later a respiratory specialist I was seeing for a different problem saw the scan in my records, asked about it, said reflux didn't cause catarrh and I actually had a sinus infection, would I like a steroid spray? Honestly, who are we supposed to believe! Neither of them thought my thyroid problems were at all relevant.

[radd]

Jamima,

Oh yes! Chronic sinusitis was just one of my infinite symptoms that was alleviated once thyroid hormone finally became optimised.

[Jamima in reply to radd]

Glad you got it sorted, and glad I asked, it’s not just me going mad!