Persistent deep-throat dry cough - 2 months + now

[saint_123]

History: I started feeling an irritated throat about 2 months ago while on a trip to Austin Texas. I returned Jan 7th, 2017 and had a bout of cold that lasted a couple of weeks fizzlign out with a course of mucinex and some nasal saline drops. A slight dry cough persisted along with some chest congestion which I ignored. Then some 2 weeks ago, I went back to Austin for a week. This time I caught a strep throat that made me miserable all week. After the trip, the strep went away but left the same niggling deep throat irritation with occasional cough. Well, that has now become much more persistent and my chest hurts constantly. I instinctively tend to avoid conversations as a defense mechanism.
Oddly enough, my trip to the doctors during last week of Feb showed no strep, no infection, clear lungs. They took blood samples and called in last week with out of spec results on thyroid, liver, and high cholesterol. Just like that, out of nowhere!
I have had my issues with acid reflux but till last year, my endoscopy was all clear. There is no reason to believe it is the cause here since my rumination is pretty controlled.
Interestingly enough, my wife and father are both showing similar signs of dry cough with no other symptoms. I am totally flipped! HELP!!!