When should a painful throat become a concern?

[SarahFrmKent]

I have suffered with on and off swollen glands for as long as I can remember, I know now that this could have been linked to my Thyroid.

My neck has been becoming more and painful, more frequently and for longer periods. My glands swell up, I get pain in my lower jaw and it often goes up into my ear. l'm lucky it's just a discomfort when swallowing but eating is sometime scary as at times, it feels like food gets stuck on a shelf and I end up coughing, left with a scratched swollen sore throat.

I had a thyroid ultrasound when first diagnosed (2018), but I've never had one doctor actually pulpate or examine my neck since diagnosis. The ultrasound diagnosed Autoimmune Atropic Thyroiditis.

My GP practice and local endocrinologist are pretty useless. There is a chance I could push for another ultrasound as my practice has one in-house. Question is, when should I be concerned that this isn't just normal Thyroiditis stuff and how would I make my GP take notice?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

If it is worsening, then I think it is time to ask for another ultrasound.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask for another ultrasound

Meanwhile are you now splitting your liquid levothyroxine as 2 doses

And improving vitamin levels

Have you gone gluten free yet or dairy free

Retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after any significant changes

if Ft3 remains low likely to benefit from addition of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

[SarahFrmKent in reply to SlowDragon]

I have made some changes based on everyone's kind advice. I'm still researching how to adapt to a gluten free lifestyle. I think it's going to be one dish at a time as it's such a huge change. Dairy has also always been such a big part of my life (7 pints of milk a day when I was pregnant, my body craved it endlessly). I only wish organic/direct from the farm was more freely available.

I've just started supplimenting with 5000 IU Vitamin D3, 120mcg Vitamin K2 (Mk-7) and 250mg Magnesium (L-Threonate) plus increased my folate. I'm also increasing my levo dose to 150/175mg on alternative days.

I'm going to send over an email to my gp over the weekend. I had been trying to get around her by dealing with the practice pharmacy team but I guess I'm just going to have to face it. I alway find contact with her so distressing and stressful that I try and avoid it as much as possible. I was wondering if there are any guidelines or criteria I can refer her to regarding ultrasounds?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SarahFrmKent]

Make a list of symptoms and how many times day/week you are aware of throat/thyroid issues

thyroiduk.org/ultrasound-scan/

radiologyinfo.org/en/info/u...