Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same thing ? I guess it is down to some issue in my thyroid - but there are no visual lumps externally, just this weird sensation on swallowing. It started in March .
Three weeks ago I have had annual bloods by GP and as my TSH is suppressed (0.10mU/L Range 0.27 - 4.20) I am going in for the 'chat' on Wednesday.
I did try to do a MMH blood test last week but failed miserably getting out enough blood. They have kindly advised that they will send out another kit to me.
My usual dose of levo is 100 mg but I had been trialing 125/100 alternate days since December. I guess I'm taking too much levo but I do not feel hyper in any way - I still need 10 hours sleep, I'm not losing weight, I have the usual up (can get on with basic chores) & down ( sofa rest ) energy days, still sensitive to the cold etc. The only thing that improved on this higher dose was my mood - much more upbeat and positive.
Thanks to this site , I do feel so much better (than the previous 10 years) having improved my Vitamins and taking my levo just before bed. I also avoid Teva as it doesn't suit me.
I was told back in 2015 by an endo that the medical profession just don't know why 5% of patients on Levo do not feel fully recovered and that I should try CBT., T4 is the only treatment available under the NHS and trialing T3 was not an option as my levels fell in to the 'Normal Range'. I do not believe much has changed on that decision under the NHS.
I fully expect my GP to reduce my T4 prescription to 50mg (advice on the bottom page of blood results), rely solely on TSH readings to assess my health and to have little regards to how I'm feeling!
I know I need full bloods to assess the situation properly and I will do this. My thoughts are to see a private consultant having blood results taken in advance of the consultation.
Thanks in advance for any experience of bumpy lumpy swallowing 🙂
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GratingCarrots
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Absolutely REFUSE to reduce dose levothyroxine based on just testing TSH
Politely but firmly request/insist test is redone
How long have you been on 112.5mcg equivalent daily
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
is this how you did you test
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
Thank you Slowdragon. Yes I followed testing protocol though it was only 4 days having stopped B complex and I know 1 week is ideal. Yes to maintaining same brand. Trialed for 5 months. I have auto immune - TPO 67 (range 0-24) August 2023.
From all the advice on this wonderful site I know that I should have re tested bloods but I was abroad for 5 months. I will get tests done asap. Thank you for your support and encouragement re GP visit - never seen her before , maybe she will be the listening type.
Yes, I had that lump-in-throat feeling at one point - long before I was diagnosed! And the only reason I was diagnosed was because nobody ever did the relevant testing!
Anyway, I had a load of other throat-related symptoms, such as sore throats, coughing, losing my voice, etc. Went to ENT. He put a camera up my nose and down my throat and said there was absolutely nothing wrong with me! So, how do you explain the symptoms? He couldn't. Nor was he interested. Apparently, he was unaware that the thyroid is located right next door to the aesophagus, and that that could have been the problem. I have Ord's, so perhaps the thyroid was a bit swollen - nothing visible from the outside - before it became so shrunken that it was only just visible to the human eye!
Anyway, the symptoms more or less went away by themselves - I still have the cough and sometimes sore throats, but the lump-sensation has gone.
thank you Greygoose. I can't believe how 'dumb' some in the medical profession can be - it is basic anatomy !! I'm glad you finally got treatment but that really was an exceptionally long wait ! It is reassuring to know that your lump sensation went away. Wishing you all the best of health & happiness 🙂
if, in the unlikely event you were (slightly ) over treated then correct reduction would be to go back to 100mcg daily
Never reduce by more than 25mcg per day …..even that is frequently far too much
If your Ft3 is not over range you are not over medicated
If GP says " I have to reduce your dose because the guidelines say i can't let you have a below range TSH" .....
The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
"Your responsibility
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with themand their families and carers or guardian. "
If GP won’t do full testing
I know I need full bloods to assess the situation properly and I will do this. My thoughts are to see a private consultant having blood results taken in advance of the consultation.
I really appreciate you setting out the information is such a clear format - Thank you Slow Dragon . I am sure I will feel your support when drawing on those responses to the GP 🙂
For years I had a hard time swallowing supplements (or even just my own spit). I thought this was just how it was. It completely went away once I was diagnosed and properly treated for hypothyroidism. I don't have lumps either, and it was actually very uncomfortable at times (the swallowing thing). Best of luck on the talk with the GP - the advice here is good.
Thank you Recon, glad to hear you felt better once adequately prescribed 🙂. Makes me feel reassured that it will resolve itself in time with sorting out my meds.
thanks Steni, I had read about globus hystericus and felt reassured. However when TSH came back so low I was concerned it might be a problem with my thyroid. I'll just get bloods done and stop worrying !
It is all very well saying it might be globus hystericus, but that raises all too many other issues/questions.
Like why has someone suddenly developed globus hystericus?
Suggestions that globus hystericus is caused by muscle relaxation and/or co-ordination issues, stress, anxiety or acid reflux do nothing to show that it is not causing by thyroid issues. All those purported causes of globus hystericus can themselves be symptoms of thyroid disorder.
At least some might well be (at least in part) the mechanisms by which globus hystericus comes about but if they themselves were caused by thyroid disorder, then the answer lies beyond treatment them directly and with appropriate treatment of the thyroid disorder.
My memory might be terrible but I don't recall a single member coming back and saying that one of the standard treatments for globus hystericus has worked.
Physiotherapy for the muscles around the throat. A speech and language therapist may be referred to for this type of physiotherapy.
Treatment for postnasal drip - for example, treatment with a nasal spray.
Treatment for acid reflux, including antacid medicines and acid-suppressing medicines.
Stopping smoking.
Treatment for stress, if this is a problem. This can be antidepressant tablets or a talking treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
I was really suggesting that it was anxiety behind it all as nine times out of ten that is what causes most of these issues . I can’t help wondering if knowing that would be more relaxing than deeply in investigating each every minor symptom against a lens of the Thyroid -
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Same to you. 
Thoughts on my blood results 
Sublingual to Swallowing Levo/T3 - My Grand Experiment n=1 - the results are in!
Thoughts on blood tests please
Disappointed in my Endo- any advice please.
Can I have your thoughts on my latest bloods please?
