Shortness of breath- a symptom?

[Momtoteenboys]

I have had hypothyroid symptoms for years.  I am 42 and my father is hypothyroid, by the way.  My blood work bounces around, but has never been at a level that doctors felt I needed medication or have given any diagnosis.  (TSH has been anywhere from 4 to 1.25 in the past couple years.)  Early this year, the doctor ordered thyroid antibodies but that was negative.  I have battled my weight, have cold intolerance, dry skin and hair, constipation, sleep problems, continued menstrual problems, etc.  I have had shortness of breath for about a year with no findings related to my heart or lungs.  Now the doctor said my thyroid is enlarged and has ordered an ultrasound.  Could this all be related?  I have seen many postings about goiters and enlargements with normal bloodwork.  Is shortness of breath a symptom too, or could it be related to the enlarged thyroid?  The US is next week and they did bloodwork yesterday so I hope to have answers next week, but I am reading what I can and find this an excellent and interesting forum.

[KoalaEm]

After reading your post I am assuming that your thyroid is enlarged? One possibility might be that your windpipe is being blocked by your thyroid. An ultrasound could help diagnose if this is indeed the case.
This happens to me- especially when I put my head backward or forwards and the angle makes it press more.  Mine makes me cough at times, and swallowing feels funny.
Em

[AR-10]

I'm not sure I would call it shortness of breath, but when I feel weak my breathing changes. Almost a slow panting?

It is audible and noticable enough that my wife has commented on it often and knows how I feel by the way I breath regardless of what I tell her. A few times the guy I work with has noticed it the minute I walk on a job site. He has given me guff more than once for even showing up because he knows I am sick within a minute of my being in the room with him.

Not deep, gasping efforts as if I'd run several blocks. Shallow heavy breathing. Too tired to take a whole breath, quick to push it out and get more in.

[Momtoteenboys]

For me its like I can't get a deep enough breath, and it can happen when i am not exerting myself at all.  I have to stop and focus on my breathing.

[dlm325]

Just saw my endochronologist today and he ASKED if I've been experiencing shortness of breath - related to my thyroid (with a growing nodule on it).  So, I would assume that it's related. Thyroid/nodules can cause your windpipe and/or esophagus to be pushed aside. Ultrasound should show this (although mine showed it was fine, despite the fact I've been having similar symptoms).

[Momtoteenboys]

My ultrasound is Monday so I guess I will find out soon.  I saw a doctor early this year for the shortness of breath, and he ran many tests but no findings.  I don't remember him even looking at the thyroid.  He was looking at the heart and lungs.  He eventually gave me an inhaler and said he didnt know if it would make a difference or not.  It never has.  What I know now from the nurse is that my bloodwork is in normal ranges, but my thyroid is definitely bigger on the right side.  The US will hopefully provide some answers to my symptoms.

[KoalaEm]

Let us know how it goes.
Em