Sore neck, hard to swallow..

[T808]

Anyone ever have a sore neck, difficulty swallowing when adjusting levothyroxine dose? I've had RAI 20+ years ago. But since I've needed such a random dose adjustment after sudden overmedication. My neck where my gland would be has become sore. Hard to swallow but when you push on it, it's sore. Just curious if anyone has experienced this being in a hypo or hyper state but had RAI. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I've been in and out of the Emergency room and doctors the last 4 months. Would hate to go back in for something easily answered. Thank you 😊

[shaws Administrator]

I am not medically qualified but as your neck is painful, you need to consult with a proper person who deals with the throat

It is not normal to have pain on pressing your neck. It needs investigation so ask GP to refer you to see:-

Otolaryngology is the medical specialty that deals with disorders and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region, and related areas of the head and neck. If you have a problem that is related to your ear, nose, or throat, you may need to see an ENT specialist, who is also called an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an otolaryngologist.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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You say ferritin is low ….how low

Doubt you were over medicated or needed dose reduction in levothyroxine if ferritin was low

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Any obvious reason for low iron/ferritin

For optimal conversion we must have optimal vitamin levels

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol-100nmol

Vitamin D 40ng/mL in non U.K. units

Ferritin and folate at least half way through range

B12 at least over 500

Are you in U.K. ?

You need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

[T808 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was definitely overmedicated when this started 4 months ago. I lost 16 or 17 kilos in 1 month. Heart rate was 160-180bpm and I was bed ridden. I was hallucinating and going absolutely out of my mind. Couldn't sleep for days. Everytime I shut my eyes my adrenaline shocked me awake. Hair falling out in clumps. They kept telling me I have anxiety and gave me propranolol and a antidepressant. Only when I lost 17 kilos did they take me serious when I said something was wrong and tested my TSH and T4 only. I refused to take my levo for 4 days and got some relief at that time. As far as ferritin is was 20 and then later another test a couple months later is was 30 or 40. I also was donating blood every 3 months for the red cross. Maybe that did it as far as ferritin Or Covid changed me because I had covid 3 months before all this kicked off.

I'm much better now but still not normal. I had taken 150mcgs for 20+ years with no issues. All of a sudden overmedicated after the frequent blood donations (caused ferritin to drop) or covid. 137mcgs still showed hyper symptoms then they lowered me to 100mcgs. Still didn't feel right. Went to 112 and felt better. But recently tried 125 and my heart rate went back up to over 100 and hair started falling out again and only got 2 hours of sleep last night. Taking only 100mcgs the past 4 days and it's getting slowly better. But my heart rate still shoots up doing trivial things. Sorry for the long story but yes, I was over medicated 🤣 I have 2 more months until I can see an Endo. I'm in the US. Paying for a private blood test here shortly so I can see everything tsh, ft3, ft4, iron, ferritin, b12, folate, d3, testosterone, estrogen etc

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to T808]

So yes….would agree …low ferritin and/or Covid likely the catalyst

Normally they test iron/ferritin before allowing you to donate blood (in U.K.) and if levels are too low you get refused

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[T808 in reply to SlowDragon]

Vitamins I'm taking. I take all vitamins 4 hours after levo dose. But B12, B6, about 6,000ius Vitamin D. Coq10, fish oil and then later at night I take 1000mgs vitamin C and L Lysine with iron or with red meat to help with absorption. They did test my blood for iron and redblood cells before the test and said I was a good candidate for double red blood cell donations. My iron was never low. It was mid range. Only my ferritin was.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to T808]

The taking of B-complexes, and of just B6, has often been discussed here. I, along with several others, have pointed out that high doses of B6 should be avoided as they can cause neuropathy - one of the symptoms that it is sometimes taken to help relieve.

This paper, from 2017, has an explanation for this phenomenon.

What it doesn't do is give information about doses. It appears to say that, while pyridoxine can cause neuropathy, other forms of B6, such as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, do not cause this issue.

Toxicol In Vitro. 2017 Oct;44:206-212. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.07.009. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

The vitamin B6 paradox: Supplementation with high concentrations of pyridoxine leads to decreased vitamin B6 function.

Vrolijk MF1, Opperhuizen A2, Jansen EHJM3, Hageman GJ4, Bast A4, Haenen GRMM4.

Author information

1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: [e-mail].

2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Utrecht, The Netherlands.

3 National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

4 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as a coenzyme in many reactions involved in amino acid, carbohydrates and lipid metabolism. Since 2014, >50 cases of sensory neuronal pain due to vitamin B6 supplementation were reported. Up to now, the mechanism of this toxicity is enigmatic and the contribution of the various B6 vitamers to this toxicity is largely unknown. In the present study, the neurotoxicity of the different forms of vitamin B6 is tested on SHSY5Y and CaCo-2 cells. Cells were exposed to pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal, pyridoxal-5-phosphate or pyridoxamine-5-phosphate for 24h, after which cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. The expression of Bax and caspase-8 was tested after the 24h exposure. The effect of the vitamers on two pyridoxal-5-phosphate dependent enzymes was also tested. Pyridoxine induced cell death in a concentration-dependent way in SHSY5Y cells. The other vitamers did not affect cell viability. Pyridoxine significantly increased the expression of Bax and caspase-8. Moreover, both pyridoxal-5-phosphate dependent enzymes were inhibited by pyridoxine. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the neuropathy observed after taking a relatively high dose of vitamin B6 supplements is due to pyridoxine. The inactive form pyridoxine competitively inhibits the active pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Consequently, symptoms of vitamin B6 supplementation are similar to those of vitamin B6 deficiency.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Neuropathy; Neurotoxic; Pyridoxine; Supplements; Vitamin B6

PMID: 28716455

DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.07.009

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/287...

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[Kimkat in reply to SlowDragon]

I was told years ago that I couldn’t donate blood because I have a thyroid problem.

[radd in reply to Kimkat]

Kimkat,

Donating blood depends on what the thyroid problem is, how long since diagnosis and how well the thyroid condition is being managed. I have Hashi and donate every 3-4 months because my meds/levels are stable.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Kimkat]

As well as what radd has said, the requirements do vary over time and can also vary by nation.

And some people can donate for some purposes, but not others. There are all sorts of things that are done to blood - such as using the platelets alone.

I recommend checking with the relevant blood doning organisation:

England

blood.co.uk/

Northern Ireland

nibts.hscni.net/

Scotland

scotblood.co.uk/

Wales

welsh-blood.org.uk/

The Northern Ireland site pops up this:

The Crisis in Ukraine

We have been asked if we will be supplying blood to help those affected by the current situation in Ukraine. At this time, Ukraine has not requested support for any blood supplies.

Should we be asked for support, we would aim to supply what we can from our existing stock and ask for additional donations to replenish stocks. If additional donations for Ukraine are required we will keep donors fully informed via our website, Facebook, Twitter and other media.

[radd in reply to helvella]

Yes, although platelets are mainly donated by men as women may acquire antibodies should baby’s blood transfer into mums and prove harmful to a receiver.

As a haemochromatosis sufferer I have to lose blood several times a year and am amazed they will allow me to donate given I medicate NDT, and now blood thinners and BP meds but I can. Before each donation a form is gone through that checks any recent heath changes, etc. They are exceedingly thorough.

I plan to start HRT again soon but unfortunately that will stop me donating further.

[T808 in reply to SlowDragon]

Forgot to answer some of your questions. I'm not Vegan. And I've been gluten free completely for the past 3 or 4 years. Also my cortisol came back high when I tested it when I woke up at 3 am. That's the only saliva cortisol test the doctor gave me. Going to get a 4 point cortisol test here soon. Just to give you perspective I am 182cm and I weighed 92 kilos 4 months ago. I was fit and worked out every other day. Hiked everywhere. Now I'm a frail 76 kilos. I was definitely overmedicated suddenly for whatever reason. Still trying to figure all of this out. The doctors here don't know much. And the ones that do are booked out for months and months.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to T808]

Here in U.K. we recommend getting 4 point adrenal test plus DHEA

regeneruslabs.com/products/...

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Have you tested testosterone?

[T808 in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm going to get that as well. Thank for replying to me. I have a question, I noticed my heart rate is a lot higher about an hour after my levo dose and it stays that way for a few hours. Im assuming thats directly from the levo. Could I benefit splitting the dose to half in the morning and half at night?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to T808]

In theory splitting your dose levothyroxine shouldn’t make a difference

In practice many of us find splitting levothyroxine dose helps

The only way to find out is to try it

[wezza45]

Yes! Twice, when trying to start Armour thyroid meds. When I stopped taking it, the issues went away. Have since switched to Erfa thyroid and haven’t had any issues thankfully. Does anyone know why the medication would cause this?

[Arkenstone]

Hi,

Sorry to hear that are not very well. I wanted to reassure you that I have the same problems with swallowing. I also have ‘unexplained’ pain in my neck near my larynx. No one seems to know why. Interestingly when I started ‘Mewing’ ( orthotropic by Prof John Mew ), my swallowing and tongue weakness improved tremendously. Hope this helps.