Hashimoto's gagging sensation

[ACK75]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's one year ago this October. I've read one of the characertistics is that the thyroid can swing between Hyper and Hypo sysmptoms (in fact, it was Hyper symptoms that orginally got me in to see the doc in the first place: trembling, panic attacks, heart palpitations, sweating, intolerance to heat). And believe me, I can tell which way the thyroid is swinging when it happens. Anyway, Over the last year I've become much more evened out and have overall felt really good. However, the last three to four weeks I've been feeling really "off" and one of the things that has returned is a gagging sensation in my throat. If I'm not sucking ona peppermint or chewing gum, I tend to feel like I'm about to gag constantly. IS this the "limp in the throat" feeling I've seen described on these forums or somethinbg else? How do you all deal with this symptom? It's quite annoying.

[Barb135]

I've had the choking feeling quite a bit; when I first mentioned it to my pcp (former), he insisted that there was nothing wrong with me; however, I got sent to an ENT for a supposedly unrelated issue and the ENT said it was entirely possible for there to be nodules/swelling/inflammation that he couldn't feel.  He sent me for an ultra sound and sure enough - I had all of the above!!

I do find that selenium helps to keep that choking feeling to a minimum; added bonus - studies have showed that selenium may help with the conversion of T4 to T3.  

[ACK75]

Thanks for the replies! I have a doctor's appt.next week to check my blood levels so I'll inquire about an ultrasound.

I've been to the doctor before about the gagging. She did the neck check and said she didn't feel any swelling, but from reading around this site it could be a nodule where she can't feel it.

[stella5349]

You might want to suggest an ultra sound of the thyroid just to see if any thyroiditis is
present and if you have any other issues - like nodules- in place.

When the antibodies are raging or under some sort of an attack, the gland can become swollen and cause some things ranging from a swollowing issue to gagging to pain.

Many patients find taking a selenium supplement can help certain thyroid swelling issues in addition to other helpful things.

[redheadaussie]

Hi there. What you are probably feeling is the thyroid having become enlarged and pushing against your esophagus. Hashimoto's makes the thyroid under attack and it can swell up to quite a size!
It might also be a good idea to get the doctor to do a neck check on you ( they will observe you swallowing and also feel your neck) It could just be a simple goitre (enlarged thyroid) brought on by the Hashi's but always best to get it checked anyway.
Cheers