The thyroid sits in your neck and can make a difference to how your throat functions. It is an important gland in the human body but it doesn’t always function exactly as it should and can cause some problems.
What Is The thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland that is very important in hormonal control in the body.
Its main secretions are thyroxine and triiodothyronine which help regulate the metabolic rate of the individual along with contributing with the growth rate among other things.
The level of secretions is controlled by other glands and areas in the brain. Occasionally the thyroid doesn’t work effectively; it can become overactive and produce too many hormones, underactive in which case it doesn’t produce enough hormones and occasionally it can develop tumours.
Where Is It?
The thyroid is located below the thyroid cartilage and in men can be found easily just below the Adam’s apple; in women it is in the same location but with no Adam’s apple is not so obviously found.
How Can It Make A Difference To Your Throat?
There are several conditions that affect the thyroid and consequently the throat.
One possibility is a complaint called thyroiditis, most commonly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in which the actual thyroid gland becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause the cells of the gland to destruct in which case, there are fewer thyroid cells producing hormones. When this happens the thyroid is said to be underactive.
As with many forms of inflammation, the area can become swollen and enlarged. This enlargement may not be noticeable at first, but if left undiagnosed, the swelling may infringe on the capability of the throat and make it more difficult to swallow. If the inflammation causes pain, this is likely to be felt in the jaws, ears and often in throat, not only when swallowing, but to the touch also.
Another common cause of discomfort in the neck and throat is because of an enlarged thyroid. This enlargement may be due to a tumour, because the gland is over active or because of a thyroid nodule. Not only can this cause the usual symptoms (noted below), but it may give you a feeling of something in your throat, difficultly swallowing or breathing and often a feeling as if there is something stuck in your throat. These conditions can be treated conservatively or more radically with surgery.
If for any reason you need to have your thyroid surgically removed, common indications for this include an enlarged thyroid, a hugely overactive thyroid or because of a thyroid tumour, your throat may be affected. Not only will the scar be visible at the front of your neck (though with modern suturing techniques this is now minimal) there is a risk of infection and discomfort that may make your neck and throat sore.
Symptoms Of A Thyroid Problem
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include tiredness, weight gain and a feeling of being under the weather. These symptoms may mean you need to have your hormone levels checked; thyroxine in particular and if necessary a supplementary tablet form of the hormone may be offered.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include but are not limited to, increased sweating, agitation, difficultly concentrating, loose or more frequent bowel movements, tremors, fast heart rate and weight loss.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have no explanation for them, please see your GP who will assess your health and may take a blood test including a check of your hormone levels.
The thyroid is a very important gland in the human body and one that is commonly overlooked by the general public. The symptoms of a thyroid problem can be very slight and develop slowly so it is important to make a mental note of any problems and report them to your doctor in due course in case your thyroid is causing the problem.
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Our Response:
We are glad it has been helpful to you.
ThroatProblems - 21-Apr-16 @ 11:15 AM
I have really blessed the advice has been pen for me in this suggestion, I'm glad to this site
paul - 20-Apr-16 @ 12:02 PM
tj - Your Question:
Hi ive been losing my voice every day for 2 years now.on Friday I had to call ambulance as I couldnt breath.I have long term illnesses,which quite a few problems.I suffer from chronic lower back pain,and right leg numbness all down my right side from my hip to my toes.also suffer from horrible long term depression from a very upsetting past.I have very hifh blood pressure,asthmatic,b12 difecency of 136 have injections every 2days.this is evey day life for me.when I get upset ie pain,stress I immediately lose my voice.some days it could start on its own.when I got rushed into hospital friday,they found 2 lumps at the dront of my throat,which I noticed myself and put it down to swallon glands this maybe not the case ive also been deaf in my right ear for 3 years now.someone told me its down to my ibs,or b12 deficiency.im not sure.all I know is im exhausted every day I have no energy at all.I feel like I have the flu as im on hrt for full o sweats and anger issues.im due blood test this week for b12 issues im hoping its showig that its gettig better how I feel inside id say helped at the start ,but not now as I feel like im going down again.sorry I know this is a full o esay.I do apologize for this ,I just dont have straight answers,for any of this.im frightened to whats next.
Our Response:
I am very sorry to hear you are frightened of your health. However, you are in the best hands with the NHS. Also searching online for answers to your health questions is never a good idea as you can search for something simple and uncover something that can scare you out of your wits - so it is really best to avoid such sites. Continue to visit your doctors and consultants to seek advice, and keep to a healthy lifestyle if you can. Support groups may also help calm your fears here. I hope you get a diagnosis and are on the road to recovery soon.
ThroatProblems - 6-Apr-16 @ 11:06 AM
Hi ive been losing my voice every day for 2 years now.on Friday I had to call ambulance as I couldnt breath .I have long term illnesses,which quite a few problems.I suffer from chronic lower back pain,and right leg numbness all down my right side from my hip to my toes.also suffer from horrible long term depression from a very upsetting past.I have very hifh blood pressure,asthmatic,b12 difecency of 136 have injections every 2days.this is evey day life for me.when I get upset ie pain,stress I immediately lose my voice.some daysit could start on its own .when I got rushed into hospital friday,they found 2 lumps at the dront of my throat,which I noticed myself and put it down to swallon glands this maybe not the case ive also been deaf in my right ear for 3 years now .someone told me its down to my ibs,or b12 deficiency .im not sure .all I know is im exhausted every day I have no energy at all .I feel like I have the flu as im on hrt for full o sweats and anger issues.im due blood test this week for b12 issues im hoping its showig that its gettig better how I feel inside id say helped at the start ,but not now as I feel like im going down again.sorry I know this is a full o esay.I do apologize for this ,I just dont have straight answers,for any of this .im frightened to whats next .
tj - 5-Apr-16 @ 10:21 AM
polly - Your Question:
I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid in 2009 at the age of 21 I was always freezing cold tired suffered depression no motivation sore throat I have been very lucky and weight has never been a huge problem but I do find that even after having this diagnosis and the constant blood test and checks at the doctors also constant change in amount of medication which I'm currently on 150mg of thyroxine it seems to take a huge chunker out of your life with feeling up and down with health its hard work noone will understand what living with this is like unless they have this. medication for the rest of your life is a pain hope everyone well with there health x
Our Response:
I am sorry to hear this, it is sometimes difficult to get the balance right between the illness and the side-effects of the drug. I hope you manage to find a treatement that is suitable to you.
ThroatProblems - 9-Nov-15 @ 11:56 AM
I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid in 2009 at the age of 21 I was always freezing cold tired suffered depression no motivation sore throat I have been very lucky and weight has never been a huge problem but I do find that even after having this diagnosis and the constant blood test and checks at the doctors also constant change in amount of medication which I'm currently on 150mg of thyroxine it seems to take a huge chunker out of your life with feeling up and down with health its hard work noone will understand what living with this is like unless they have this. medication for the rest of your life is a pain hope everyone well with there health x
polly - 6-Nov-15 @ 2:34 PM
I am very upset after being diagnosed with underactive thyroid and don't know if all the stress that I had this year contributed to this.I had bad sore throat a few months ago with very bad cough and wonder if this was because of the thyroid problem and if problem can be reversed.
angie - 4-Dec-14 @ 11:14 PM
I have suffered thyroid problems from 2006 first it was over active then after radio active iodine treatment it was then under active. For the last two years with thyroxine my thyroid has been normal. Recently my thyroid gland has swollen, I have swollen glands a sore throat, mucas lying in the throat, unexplained bruises on my neck, burning sensation in my throat, it is sore to swallow and I am waking in the night gasping for air. What could this be?
dodo - 25-Nov-14 @ 11:33 PM
could having the camera down your throat cause thyroid problems
chants79 - 21-Aug-14 @ 9:08 PM
Twice this week I woke uo in the middle of the nigh, with a very sore throat and gasping for air.Today I have throat pain and can hardly speak.
Nick - 15-Oct-13 @ 2:03 PM
hi i have a under active thyroid and i have a lot of tenderness in the front part of my neck it feels quite lumpy n swollen and it hurts to touch, i ave had a clod for a while too is this normal
SUZY - 29-Jun-12 @ 4:00 PM
I have recently lost my mum. I do remember screaming when she passed away. Since then I have the feeling of a lump in my throat, it's been four weeks now and is getting very uncomfortable, I'm also starting to feel tired and unwell.
