I have a cough with a very sore throat, it feels like its hard to breathe, my neck feels tight and the more I cough the tighter it seems to be getting - problem is, I suffer from hashimotos thyroiditis. Should I be alarmed? Do I need to go to the doctor?
Hashimoto's Disease - What, if any, are the risks with having a sore throat with hashimotos?
Question posted by Mechell1971 on 19 Sep 2016
Last updated on 16 August 2018 by Courtcalhoun
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Answers
Courtcalhoun
16 Aug 2018
Hi! Did you ever figure this out?
I too have Hashimotos abd for the past year I’ve been battling a chronic sore throats with minimal relief. My thyroid labs are within range and I take Nature Thyroid. My ent has no clue. We tried Prilosec, Claritin, prescription proton pump blockers none helped. I had a endoscopy abd was told I do not have acid reflux. I’m now starting a anti inflammatory diet and avoiding gluten. But 2 weeks in I see no relief.
Srr1111
10 Nov 2016
My mom is also a Hashimoto's sufferer and yes she says you need medical attention based on her experience. I used to tell her to go and she wouldn't, only later to say she wished she had. Medical attention may prevent a much worse problem or need for surgery.
Inactive
11 Nov 2016
Am I reading this question and comment correctly? Is there a connection between coughing accompanied by a sore throat with Hashimoto's? What would this be an indication of, as you said, a worse problem down the road?
Is it that it would be a problem only if you have Hashimoto's and are going untreated with no medication for it? Or is this a further problem that can develop from having Hashimoto's? The sore throat and coughing, I mean?
Srr1111
11 Nov 2016
Hashimoto's causes pain in the general neck region. Inflammation is also common which may be the cause for the cough.
Srr1111
11 Nov 2016
Meant to edit comment. It sometimes causes pain, this is very indicative of a flare. The cough being another sign. Initially in Hashimoto's development, if untreated inflammation causes hyperthyroidism to become hypothyroidism due to overuse of the thyroid. Also the inflammation causes potential autoimmune reaction and tumors on the thyroid glands may develop. My mom had to fly to Florida for a specialist surgeon because this happened to her and she developed over a dozen small tumors and her thyroid is destroyed.
Inactive
11 Nov 2016
I ask because I have Hashimoto's, but I am being treated with Nature-Throid. I get blood work done regularly and it is within normal range. I just am curious because I've had a cough and a sore throat for a while. I was told these could be caused by sinus drainage. So this post worried me about what could be going on. My sore throat probably has nothing to do with my Hashimoto's because I am being treated for my hypothyroidism.
Srr1111
11 Nov 2016
I'm so sorry if I caused fear. It's more that I'm always concerned when I hear potential symptoms like my mom's. Your doctor should let you know when to contact or be concerned. If they believe it's sinuses then it likely is - it's not the sort of thing to just ignore when there is a true problem present. I hope you aren't concerned! You already have information from your doctor about the problem and that's really what I was suggesting for the posted questioner too. More of a ' better safe than sorry' approach as the potential negatives can be bad.
It's good to do self checks on and around the neck/under-chin area to check for swelling, or if chronically swollen and your doctor is aware, then check for abnormal swelling. If the sore throat and cough is sinusitis, then phlegm/mucus/snot originates in the nasal passages and travels downward - oftentimes there's actually no fluids but rather nasalway passage inflammation only, but it can feel pretty similar. If it's nasal inflammation an NSAID can be very helpful if not otherwise contraindicated for any other medical reasons.
For my mom, the cough was at first from dry mouth and later more an attempt to clear her breathing passageway, which is why I'd tell her to go see her doctor. Post-surgery she's had a lot of difficulties so if surgery can be avoided by early treatment I recommend it.
Related topics
thyroid disease, hashimoto's disease, cough, sore throat, throat, disease, thyroiditis, neck, risk, sores
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