I wondered if I ought to be concerned. I’ve been taking 75mcg Levothyroxine daily for around 13 years, and have been doing well on it. I’m 62 years old, and very active and have had no real health concerns, apart from the underactive thyroid.
Recently though, I’ve started to find it slightly hard to swallow. It’s not a big deal, and it’s not sore or anything, but it’s just odd, like a kind of block that I can over-ride with a bit of effort. For a few weeks I thought it might be psychosomatic, and I’m still not sure it isn’t! I did see the doctor recently, and he shouted at me for taking up an emergency appointment (which I didn’t ask for - his receptionist decided to book me in). Anyway, he’s now booked blood tests, but was disinclined to discuss what this throat thing might be. I think I’m worried, now, that it might be cancer, and wondered if anyone could tell me more?
Anyway, thanks very much for reading.
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Or it can be caused from sleeping with your mouth open which dries out your throat. There is a thing called mouth taping it's intense and hard to do though I've been working on it for over a year. God bless you
Thanks, EasyLover. I don’t think it’s from breathing through my mouth, because I mostly don’t unless I’m out running, and only then if it’s a fast run.
Definitely share copies of your thyroid blood tests with us. It could well be that your current dosage of Levothyroxine is not optimal for you.
I too have had troubles swallowing when my thyroid medication requires adjusting. I’ve also had increased mouth issues when B12 and folate have been low in the range. It’s useful to test key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and Vit D) so, in the first instance I would ask your GP to test these alongside TSH, FT4 and FT3.
Do try not to worry unduly. So many symptoms are thyroid related and improve when medication and key vitamins are optimal 🦋
Thanks, Buddy. It’s interesting about the mouth issues too. I also have mouth ulcers right now that are driving me mad. I wonder if that’s anything to do with low medication? But I’ll see what the tests show, as soon as I have the results. It’d be nice and simple if I just need to raise my dose a bit.
Annoyingly, I didn't know the Dr was going to test thyroid as well as general bloods, so it was done yesterday at 4pm, hours after I'd taken my morning Levo. I doubt this test will be as accurate as it should be, as I normally insist on an early appt, without taking my meds 1st, and as you say, only water before it. But I hope it'll still show up anything major.
When I had swallowing problems I was sent to hospital for a gastroscopy (where they look down your throat). They found a hiatus hernia and inflamed oesophagus.
The hospital then sent me a prescription for Omeprazole to reduce my stomach acid. I looked it up online and decided that it wasn't for me as I have low stomach acid already.
Inflamed asophigus usually caused by stomach acid leak during the night.Can lead to Barratts asophigus ie dry wall of asophigus which can turn cancerous.
Sorry but it's almost never best to take Omeprazole. Especially as a thyroid patient as it stops the correct breakdown of thyroid hormones and absorption. It's a horrible drug. It stops B12 being absorbed as well.
Theauthoress Better to work out why you need it and then treat it properly. Low stomach acid is common and it's common for GPs to misinterpret the symptoms of low acid as high acid and prescribe these things. When a better treatment would be a dose of cider vinegar (with the mother) in water 20 minutes before eating. Or a capsule or 2 of Betaine HCL.
I solved my low acid with both of the above. Betaine first and then cider vinegar. I don't need anything now.
Causes of low stomach acid are often too little thyroid hormone.
We have to be detectives to suffer with hypothyroidism and hope for any quality of life. You can't believe how envious I am of you being able to run. Walking would be a dream come true for me right now.
I was prescribed omeprazole when low stomach acid was suspected. I took 20 mgm x2 daily for 4 months then weaned to 1x20 daily for 1 month then alternate days for a month and now as/if required.
No, I’m subclinical apparently but with all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. I also have another chronic autoimmune condition of rheumatoid type so many symptoms overlap hence the difficulty with diagnosis thus far. However combined with the omeprazole I am prescribed Prochlorperazine an anti sickness med to combat dropping blood pressure ( a possible hypothyroidism symptom). The Dr at ER told me to leave two hours between these meds. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
I took lamomprazole similar to Omeprazole for acid reflux only to discover after research I had low stomach acid, a food intolerance test(private) showed I'd no pepsin, solved by betaine HCL every meal that has protein plus I started gluten/dairy/soya free diet & now much improved. Occasionally have the feeling of lump in throat issue but usually down to something I've eaten. Doctor wasn't interested.
Hi I had the test a few years ago & it was suggested to see if lump in throat feeling was an intolerance. ukfoodintolerance.co.uk it gives food sensitivity including non food, taking in vitamins, hormonal, additives etc if I'm unable to insert or photo as it's a large document. It gave me pointers which I didn't act on it straightaway but have since 💡 moment & researching here as proved brilliant. Hope that helps was done via hair samples.
Hi, around 7 years ago I saw an acupunctureist. I just felt life was getting me down plus aches and pains etc. one of the first things she asked was did I feel like there was a lump in my throat when I swallowed. YES I said.. she said she was pretty certain it was an anxiety/stress thing and she came across this often. Obviously, you start worrying about what it might be …then you are in a vicious circle because every time u swallow you are reminded of it! I found CBT useful here; more than the acupuncture . By changing your thought patterns you can then change your feelings.
In my experience , sometimes when there are lots of things going on in our lives we can’t change things like this pop up. I think in most places you can self refer for CBT. You can ask at your surgery. There are also free online courses which are usually general CBT but ones tailored at health anxiety are also available.
I still get the ‘lump in my throat ‘ feeling but now I have the tools in my head to deal with it, it goes away a lot quicker.
Thank you for the suggestion. I don't have stress though. I generally know why, (and what), causes any aches, so apart from this throat business, they don't last very long. Of course I'm older now, so that'll change. 😭
I recognise your situation; three family deaths within three months early this year caused me emotional trauma and since then I’ve been unwell with my chronic AI condition flaring and new symptoms that GP has titled subclinical hypothyroidism. Did the acupuncture help remedy the anxiety and discomfort of the throat?
Hi, I think I it helped a bit but the CBT helped a LOT more. It’s not a magic wand and it takes time and effort but it’s the only thing I found that worked . I too suffered odd health issues after my mum passed away last year. The body is so much more sensitive than we realise. I hope you’re ok. X
Thanks, Marz, I'll see what the tests results are. As it happens, I've been thinking maybe I ought to stop the training and workouts. It's hard to accept I'm getting older, and all the training might be doing more harm than good. I know I'm very skinny and look older because of it, but I've done it for decades and it'll be very hard to give it up.
A few years ago I had a horrible feeling of lump in throat and couldn't work out what it was for ages. I tried everything, stopped dairy with no effects and lots of other things. It went away then came back again and only by chance, I noticed that I'd been prescribed a different brand of levothyroxine. So it was due to change of brand and for me it was Accord levo that caused that feeling. Once I knew to stay off it, I've been absolutely fine since. So, have a look and see if any of your meds have changed.
The only change I can see is that Actavis Pharmaceuticals bought out my regular brand, Accord, and the name's changed. I wonder if they've changed the composition? There's really nothing I can do about it, though, even if they have.
Well you can change the brand with your pharmacist. I have frequent issues with the excipients in levothyroxine. I think I've finally got it sorted (crossing fingers). I was at my wit's end and it was only on here that I saw a few posts from other people suffering the lump in throat feeling from certain brands. I should say too, it didn't happen overnight, it was after I'd been on it for a few months. Perhaps they changed the makeup of the tablet; I have no idea.
One of the most common reasons for this is silent reflux (when someone is refluxing in the night and they don't have a clue. Silent reflux is very common and should be addressed).
This is easy to see if you can get yourself an ENT appointment. My surgeon found signs of silent reflux when checking my vocal cords for my thyroidectomy, pre-surgery. Just a very quick camera tube, in and out.
And just so you can cross this off a goitre can produce this feeling as well. Raise your arms above your head and lower your chin to your chest. And talk.
Everything should feel at ease, no issue. If something is there re: thyroid growing you will struggle to talk & breathe instantly.
My father has hypothyroidism and had really bad mouth ulcers for several years. They carried out a biopsy etc and found nothing. However, he has recently been diagnosed with Lupus and mouth ulcers can be a symptom of Lupus. However, as mentioned above, there are many other causes of ulcers.
I just Googled lupus symptoms, and the only one I have is the mouth ulcers, so I'm keeping everything crossed that I don't have it. I'm so sorry your father has hypo AND lupus, poor man.
Doctors, huh? Sounds like you have a true champion there. I have/had very similar symptoms to you: difficulty swallowing in particular but also the sensation of a lump in my throat. Went on for months before I gave the GP a call. Unlike your GP, mine was very responsive and sent me to ENT. I was surprised to get an urgent appointment, as these symptoms are possibly indicative of cancer. I never even considered that (except in my darkest hours) and thought it was most likely my thyroid and some kind of goitre. The ENT visit was very reassuring: I don't have cancer; I don't have a goitre. I have something glamorously called 'globus' - a condition brought on by 'silent reflux'. Persevere with your GP and get seen by the ENT: you deserve to have this checked out, and you deserve to have your peace of mind restored. Good luck. PS, over 90% of people ENT see with these symptoms don't have cancer.
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He has many other issues and doesn't even believe he has lupus, so it's the least of his worries.
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