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149081 tn?1242397832

Thyroid Goiters causing ear problems?

Dx- Multi Nodular Goiter 2004      
  
  I haven't been feeling well for a few mths. Tired, achey, frequent urination, extreme coldness,dry skin,headaches, mental confusion, extreme vertigo (now gone). I thought finally those pesky goiters have interfered with my thyroid function.Because all other lab work normal;however, I've had  tsh,Ft3,Ft4 tested 3 times in last few mths only to have my levels completely normal.( Have home copies and am amazed how normal they are.).I can't get into the endo office until January. Although I will be having another ultrasound done Tuesday to check for further growth (ordered by my pcp)

Anyhow, I've recently been having a problem with my ears and throat and i've been on an antibiotic 3 times within the last 2mths. Is it possible that the goiters have grown and are applying to much pressure therefore creating these problems? I've heard of voice troubles but ears too?

Thanks in advance for any help.
33 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have been going thru this nightmare myself. One of my Endo had me on 160 Armour my heart was pounding out of my chest. He just kept adding 30 ,60 I finally went to a different Dr who freaked and dropped me to 60 armour and not added 25 Synthroid for T4 . How ever this ear/neck.head pain with dizziness. Is still killing me going on 10 years off and on nodules come and go. Ultrasound shows small nodules on rt,  pain in on left go figure. Told I am Hypothyroid / Hasimotos. But yet I had LOADS of symptoms of graves. He says I cant have graves with hypo. So guess at this point  I am just forced to live with it. I went to ER last week BP high head ache so bad I could hardly move. Just a Torodal shot.and sent home. At least it looks like I am not alone..
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Avatar universal
I have probably have probably been jumping up and down on the thyroid scale, Also have jaw, ear, bathroom visits, miserable,and lets not forget MENAPAUSE!  so I am not only ready to pull my own hair out, I'm gonna do  it to someone else. I do have allergies...take claritenD everyday, ;mucinex, wellbutrin, D3 ( because I feel like my teeth are falling out of my head), fiber,( because of years going to much, straining, to much sitting, analplsty, hemoroiectomy, and a fischer,  just so I could get an infection and have to have believe it or not ( BOTOX) shots to my inner sphincter, and then 6 months later found with  a fischtula, where it tunnels and go back and get filleted open inside. Just a note keep the hemorroids, it is not worth it. So now 5 years later, still miserable, menapause, ear ringing, and yes my multinodular goiter was found by accident, because i have about 10 herniated discs, from neck to sacrem. The funny part of this is I have been getting epidurals regularly for over tens years, so yes I have been exposed, What I truly would like to know is, which or what Dr.  can you get to listen, observe, give a crap, and address the issues. Oh yes, I did call my gyno and said listen I am going to kill someone if something isn't done.  She suggested we treat the symptons versus what the Endo was saying about me being in range,  except I'm all over the place "In the Range", she gave me Progesterone and Estradiol,.  If anyone can steer me in the right direction of a Give A Crap Dr I would truly be forever indebted,  because *** you all are I am tired of being tired, cold, hot, sweating like a pig, crazed lunatic, and obviously very over it
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Avatar universal
First I would like to say,yes all this sounds familiar to me. I have a thyroid nodule the size of a quarter. It was found during test to find why my heart rate was high. It turned out the two were not related. I had miocarditis at the time and nearly died from it. My thyroid has normal function but the nodule is deep placed and causing swallowing problems. It is pressing on my larynx and cause some voice disruption at times. My sinuses are constantly plugged. I clear my throat a few times a day. I also have developed toncil stones. I  have vertigo and ear ringing. Sometimes pain in my neck or ears but it is minimal. I went for a needle biopsy but they could not extract anything from my nodule because it was so hard. I go tomorrow morning for thyroid removal. I was told they will only remove the right lob. Personally I think many of my troubles will be relieved by this surgery. Most doctors have said my symptoms are not related to the nodule but the specialist said he thinks that some are and I should have much improvement after surgery. I will be writing about my experience before and after surgery in a couple weeks on my own blog if anyone is interested in finding out if I got any relief after I heal a bit. Over the next few weeks you can read about my journey by following my blog at www.creativeillustratingandwriting.com
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Avatar universal
Just because thyroid test results fall within the very broad so-called "normal' range does not mean they are adequate for you.  The ranges are far too broad and each person may have different levels that work for them.  If you will please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report,  we can better assess your status.  
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Avatar universal
I realise you posted this in June, but wondered if you had any diagnoses of your problems. I too have constant pressure on the lower right side of my throat, a dry cough, itchy ears and just recently my jaw joint on that side feels numb. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with bilateral goitre with small nodules, more pronounced on the right side, however I am not on any Meds as at the time my blood tests also came back in the normal range. Could this be my thyroid as well? Like you I either sleep like a log or am wide awake all night. I have very dry skin and hair. I when I lie down at night, sometimes I feel breathless as well. Would be very grateful if you could shed any light on these symptoms.
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Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.
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Avatar universal
You have just described me almost exactly.  I have 4 nodules on the right side of my Thyroid and 1 on the left.  I have constant throat pain on the right a raspy voice and a cough.  I have neck pain on the right and back on the right, earache and constant very loud ringing on the right.  Dry skin, inconsistent sleep, (either awake all night or sleep like a rock). Hair falling out, dizziness (vertigo), memory loss, fatigue and horrible headaches.  ENDO says not to worry about the nodules they're small and the blood tests come back within normal range.  I told him I looked up my symptoms and they can relate to the Thyroid, he didn't agree.  I've had every test, ultrasound, CT, MRI and have seen an ENT and Neurologist.  The ENT doesn't see anything and the Neuro wanted to shoot me full of Botox..  Now way it's my Thyroid, I know it but can't get anyone to listen.  UGH!  I can handle it all but the ringing is driving me crazy..  HELP!!!
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Avatar universal
Hi Hashi,

Your experience mirrors mine exactly! I have my first appointment with an Endo
March 2. I have had Excruciating ear pain for three months and have a horrible primary care Dr. Who insists its TMJ even though I have 15mm nodules on my thyroid and a Hashimoto's diagnosis he would not even Rx
me a pain killer for my ear it has completely effected my quality of life.. So discouraging.. Have you found any help or answers?












Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
You've attached to a pretty old thread.  Your situation would get much more/better attention if you start your own thread.  You can do that by clicking the orange "Post a Question" button at the top of the page, type your question, then click the green "Post a Comment" button.  

Be sure to include any thyroid labs you have, and reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Also include symptoms, along with your med/dosage and how long you've been on that med/dosage.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had the same issues!! Enlarged thyroid goiters acute thyroiditis had afew biopsies but they say everything is fine I don't get how everything is fine when I hurt so much throat pain ear pain headaches I swear the list just goes on and on!! Tired of feeling tired!!! Just wish I would feel normal again before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid
I feel all you ladies out there and the few men lol with the same probs it's just pure hell for us all!! Keep your heads up
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has your ionized calcium been measured? I have hypercelcemia, and I am thinking whether my ear pain, tinnitus and vertigo maight result from possible calcium crystals in  my inner ear (?), why not being also in the middle ear?

My thyroid nodules have shrunk to below 1 cm, and the thyroid gland itself has shrunk to very small. Thus the nodules may not be a cause for ear pain.

I have postnasal drip and a swollen lymph node behind my sternocleidomastoid muscle for years. The lymph node could also cause my jaw-ear-temple pain. The pain was intermittent and lasted for four months in spring 2013. Since then I have had only once hints of it.
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Avatar universal
Well it seems we that have the diagonsis of goiters also end up with earaches..I have had this earache for past a year now and your right the doctors are treating it like nothing and a puzzle. The pain is sharp at times and daily a dull throbbing. I have a multi-nodule goiter on the right side and the earache is also on the right side. Jaw feels always tender to chew. They have tried antibiotics, nasal sprays... on pain pills but I refuse to get hooked just so there is no pain. They do see a cloudy area behind the eardrum that is not normal... I wonder how long it has been there and no one noticed... till now. I am waiting to see an ENT doctor now after so long of having the pain. My Thyroid levels are normal, but this is not normal.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
As stated above, this is a very old thread and maryg has not been active on the forum since her post above, so it's unlikely you will get a response.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maryg705,

I know what you are going through.  The anxiety, the mind games, the constant wondering and restlessness.  

I can tell you that there is a way to get through it, but you have to learn to take your focus off of the symptoms somehow.  It's a terrible cycle.  Your pain causes you to freak out, and then the anxiety makes it worse.

I can help, but you need to trust that others have and are going thru this same thing but learning how to cope while waiting for the right procedures to be found or done.  

Write back, and we'll see if we can connect via email somehow.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and the original posters are no longer active on the forum, so it's unlikely you will see any updates.

maryg705 - as stated, this is a very old thread.  You'd get much better response to your question if you start a new thread of your own, rather than attaching to such an old thread.  You can start a new thread by clicking on the orange "Post a Question" button at the top of the page, type your question, then click the green "Post a Comment" button.

If you have, or think you have, a thyroid condition, be sure to include any lab results you might have, along with the reference ranges as printed on your lab report, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have not idea what is going on... I am so tired and now have pain in neck and goiter since i was in my 30's.  It hurts when i cough up the sides of my face to my temples.  I am getting so scared with all this.  No one will listen... the ringing in my ears is driving me crazy and have been told i have sinus infection and antibotics don't work.  Can't sleep, don't want to eat and getting depressed over this.  It has made not be able to work or function.  I don't know what to do... I have had biopsys for nodules and nothing and people look at me like i am a freak cuz of the bulging.  I am so embarassed and now have no insurance to have the goiter removed.  I have no family to support me and no good doctors here were i live for thryroid issues.  I don't know what to do on this matter.  My skin is dry and all my TsH comes back normal and now i am suffering again from panic attacks and can not function.  Someone please help me with all this and tell me what to do and how to handle this... I feel dizzy and have this cough and pain in right side of neck when i cough and pain in the back of my neck... I also have this heavy feeling in my ears and feel so confused most of the time and scares me that i might be having a stroke... have been checked and all is good on that but still no one will listen
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I wish they would, too.  Otherwise, it's all anxiety-producing speculation.  I think part of the problem is that there aren't email notifications when posts are made within the section(s), coupled with, I'm guessing, a reluctance to endlessly chase one's symptoms to no avail.

It is tiresome and somewhat frightening to have muliple nodules on the thyroid, and not have them factored in with overall health and other symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I wish someone would post their follow ups!! I'm hypothyroid (autoimmune) and had a goiter. Struggled with the initial diagnosis and now I have had a mystery ear problem with my left ear for about 6 years. Help!
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Avatar universal
Reading through these messages I am relieved to know that I am not the only one with the itchy ear problem.  I have 8 nodules, 4 on each side.  I have talked to the doctor over and over about the ears itching and he keeps saying it's allergies and has me take antihistamines.  They don't work, ears still itch.  The lowering of the voice, itchy ears, pain/muscle spasms in front of throat, none of these things seem to hit home with my Endo.  Last TSH was .044, she didn't test T3 or T4, says that as long as the TSH is in the "normal range" it isn't necessary.  Anyone know of a good Endo in McHenry County IL?  I need someone that actually listens and doesn't go by a book that doesn't take the human factor into account.
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Avatar universal
Iam so pleased i found this site , i have sufferd a number of years from dizzyness and being light headed almost every single day Just before christmas 2011 i found a small lump in my neck , doctors sent me for scans and blood tests to check for thyroid problems but the blood test showed normal function , but the scan said otherwise now im waiting to see a spcialist to find out whats going on ,i have also been diagnosed with minears desease ,and i have had these ear infections and virtigo for 7 years but i need someone to put my mind at rest as i think i have cancer ....please if someone has simular problems i would love to hear about it ...
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1634979 tn?1300128387
I have multiple thyroid nodules and have the vertigo and pain and all that everyone is talking about along with tinnitus. I was recently diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. These symptoms are all symptomatic of that. I do believe, however, that the thyroid escalates the symptoms during an atttack of thyroiditis. I am having a biopsy done and am actually hoping they remove the thyroid so those attacks will stop.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm so excited to read this.  I was just diagnosed with a nodule and enlarged thyroid.  I have have had coughing and ear problems for two years.  No one has been able to figure out why.  I think when they remove my thyroid, the ear problems with go away along with the cough.  It has been mostly my right ear and the scans show the thyroid pushing my trahcea way over to the right.  I think it is causing all the itching and popping sounds from my right ear.  They said that the coughing was allergies which I have never had.  The surgeon said that the trachea is being irritated by the thyroind pushing on it, thus the cough.  I'll be glad to get it out.
Helpful - 0
263988 tn?1281954296
"I have had though really itchy ears constantly,  really bad reactions to hair dye...so I stopped dying my hair 6 months ago....and yes I am very grey for a 48 year old..  I clear my throat constantly and always feel stuffed up.  I am going to see an ENT in 2 weeks ...will seee what his opinion is.  I'll check back here again."

I started having itchy ears when I was a teenager.

Bad reactions to medications, hair dyes, and perms.

Started turning grey when I was 30 years old.

Currently, I am on LT4 and LT3. The LT3 has been difficult to find the right dose. I'm always getting heart palps if I'm on the full dose for 7 days or longer. Trying to stagger the doses and alternate doses. I hope I don't have to give this med up. I can actually get up and do stuff.

I had Thyroiditis this last winter. Been hypoT for 30 plus years. Diagnosed in 2003 but under medicated.

Have pressure and numbness around ears/face/head especially right side. No nodules according to last scan in 2008.

Seeing a better doctor now whose trying to get my FreeT3 level up. It's in the dumps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've got the dreaded ear pain too!  It started last summer (July) and I went to urgent care and was placed on antibiotics and nasal spray. After 10 days it still hurt like crazy so I went back in and was told it must be my sinus and to take sinus decongestant and antihistamines.  That didn't help.  
I lived with the darn pain and in October it got worse and I began experiencing horrible ringing in my ears. I got in to see my family dr at that time and he put me on anitbiotics for 21 days, and 10 days of prednisone as well as cortisone nasal spray.  Seemed to help a bit, but the meds made me sick as heck.  Then of course the pain came back

In January I was about to go crazy from the ringing (still hurt too).  I saw an ENT who found nothing wrong and had a hearing test which was fine.

I went back to the family dr about 6 weeks ago and again was placed on anitbiotics.  It just doesn't help.

I have Graves disease and had RAI in July 2005.  I've gotten fat as a cow and feel like crap. I had a good sized goiter when I was diagnosed with Graves.  I also have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I've got a herniated disc in my neck which is putting pressure on some nerves (may be having surgery soon on that sucker)

The dr's and I felt that the ear pain and ringing was maybe from the herniated cervical disc.  But now I read your comments and am wondering if it is my thyroid.  I am just about ready to give up on all this crap, I am soooooo tired of dealing with it, pain and doctors, and insurance companies etc.

I did buy a mouth guard, like athletes use.  It was on one dollar at Walmart and I heated it and formed it to my mouth.  I wear it when I sleep and it seems to help.  It keeps my jaw in place and has alleviated some of the ear pain.

If anyone makes a break through diagnosis it would be great!  I know we are all sick and tired of suffering with this kind of crap. It sure makes my quality of life suck.  I wish and pray for some answers and some relief, for myself and all of you guys too.
Helpful - 0
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