Anyone with thyroid problems have had this issue?

[zihajohnson19]

I am a 17 year old female and my throat has been feeling so tight and uncomfortable the past year and a half, and it's only gotten worse to the point where it's affecting my breathing and swallowing. I went to the ER & doctor two weeks ago, but they weren't much help. They did an X-ray of my neck, CT scan and did some bloodwork, but found nothing wrong and nothing was abnormal. They said it was just panic attack and anxiety causing it, but it can't JUST be anxiety causing this much discomfort. Though I do have anxiety disorder and get panic attacks but only because of this sensation making me feel like I am about to suffocate. It's constantly there 24/7 and nothing I do relieves it. I want to believe it may have something to do with my thyroid because in addition to my throat, I'm having other symptoms as well, like fatigue, heart palps, depression, anxiety and constipation to name a few. I forgot to mention the symptoms to my doctor because I was too focused on the tightness in my throat. I had a TSH test done, but I want to get further tests just to be sure my thyroid is working properly. I'm afraid to ask though because I feel like my family and the doctors don't believe anything is wrong and just blame it on anxiety when I believe there's something going on. I really need some answers or advice right now from someone who might be experiencing or experienced the same thing because I am at my whits end, and I dont know what to do. I am suffering so bad everyday because of it and I am desperate to find out whatever is happening to me and get rid of it because I can't even enjoy life anymore because of it. I am in misery 24/7. I need help.

[Barb135]

Can you try to get the result of the TSH test you had done, so we can see what it was?  Even though it was in the "normal" range, if it was high in the range, that could be an indication that actual thyroid hormones might be lower than you need them...

I was already on thyroid hormone medication when I had the choking feeling.  My thyroid hormone levels were in the mid to upper part of the ranges, so they were adequate; that's when I decided to try the anti-anxiety medication.  The anti-anxiety medication did help get rid of the choking feeling, as well as some other symptoms I hadn't attributed to anxiety, but apparently were caused by it.  Anti-anxiety medications don't have to be permanent; I've been off mine for almost 5 yrs now and no longer have symptoms of anxiety.

What symptoms are you having that you think might be caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency?

[zihajohnson19]

I will try and ask to see what the results were of the test. I was thinking about getting anti anxiety medication, but I just don't want to deal with the side effects and I don't want to become dependent on them either. Can I ask which meds you took? I am having fatigue, memory loss, numbness/reduced sensation of touch, shortness of breath and Constipation. The numbness is pretty bad too, it's driving me crazy. And plus the throat tightness, I cannot take the discomfort any longer. Weird thing is it seems worse on the right side of my neck. Sometimes it shifts to the left side too. I'm wondering if it could be a goiter. I just want relief so I can be happy again and enjoy life. :(

[Barb135]

Hi there... I'm sorry you're going through this.  It's pretty tough when you feel bad and nobody will listen to you.  

You said you had a TSH test - what was that result?

Other tests you should ask for are Free T4 and Free T3.  Those are the actual thyroid hormones that the body needs to feel well and should always be done whenever a TSH test is done.  You could also ask for thyroid antibody tests to rule out Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is a common cause of hypothyroidism, which is what your symptoms may indicate.  The tests you need for that are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)...

The CT scan should have shown if there was any swelling/inflammation in your thyroid.  It should also have shown if there were any nodules on your thyroid that would cause problems with swallowing or breathing.  You could also ask for an ultrasound, as well, though.

I know it's hard to believe, but it's true that anxiety can cause the feelings you're having.  I had them, myself, for quite some time.  It felt like I was choking all the time and you're right, nothing I did relieved the feeling.  It was pretty scary.  I do have hypothyroidism, but my medication was  keeping my hormone levels  at the right place, so I finally had to ask my doctor for an anti-anxiety medication to help get me over the rough spot.  Of course, I made sure that all thyroid related tests had been done and thyroid causes had been ruled out before I did that.  

I'm just letting you know I do understand.  Try to get the tests done first.  

You might also try to get tested for some vitamin/mineral deficiencies which can also cause symptoms.  Those are vitamin B-12, vitamin D and ferritin.  Ask to get those tested, along with the tests I suggested above - Free T4, Free T3, TPOab and TgAb...

[Mahesh2150]

Do you have a sinus problem? Any kind of Post nasal dropping? Allergy? You might have allergy problem if there is nothing found in the test results.

sneezing, nose block?

[zihajohnson19]

Hello, thank you so much for your reply. I'm not sure what the results of the test were, but I'm assuming since my Dad didn't mention anything about it, it was normal. I agree, it's terrifying. Did you ever find any relief from the feeling from the meds or anything else? Did treating your hypothyroidism get rid of the feeling? If so, what was the treatment and how long did it take? I feel better knowing I'm not alone with this. I do think I have an vitamin B12 Deficiency, as I am having a couple symptoms of that as well. I will have to persuade my family to get me another appointment, maybe this time with an endocrinologist.

[zihajohnson19]

I don't think I have any sinus problems or post nasal drip or allergies, at least that I know of. No sneezing, but I do feel like my nose is just slightly blocked.

[gimel]

In diagnosing possible hypothyroidism, symptoms are even more important than blood test results.  You have a number of symptoms that are frequently related to being hypothyroid.  Following is a link to a site that lists 26 symptoms that are typical of hypothyroidism.  I suggest that you make a copy and circle the ones you have and take it with you to the doctor.  

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

In addition, there are a number of blood tests that are useful in trying to diagnose hypothyroidism.  You will find those listed in sugg. no. 4 on page 2 of the following link.

http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf

I also recommend reading at least the first two pages of the link, and more, if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended.  This link can help prepare you for a productive appointment with your doctor.  From all this info you will have confidence that you are hypothyroid, you will know what tests to request and insist on getting done, and if the doctor resists, you can give a copy of the paper, including references, and ask him to treat you clinically, for symptoms, rather than just based on blood test results.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, rather than just based on blood test results.   Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing with your diagnosis and treatment.  We will be very happy to review and interpret any test results and advise further.  

[zihajohnson19]

Thank you for your reply. When I go see my doctor I will definitely print out and circle the list of symptoms I am having. I will try and read as much as possible. I will give an update on everything that goes on.