A lack of thyroid hormones because of hypothyroidism leads to inflammation and trapped fluid in the mucous glands, causing them to swell.
Of course, a large thyroid is called a "goiter". (yup, that's what a goiter is--a large thyroid). So most people who feel like there is something stuck in their throat that they feel they need to clear by swallowing actually have a goiter made of many thyroid nodules.
The size may range from a single small nodule to a large neck lump. The swollen thyroid can put pressure on the windpipe and esophagus which can cause a cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties or swallowing difficulties.
For people who do have symptoms, they may have trouble swallowing or breathing or have a feeling of fullness, pain, or pressure in the throat or neck. Some people might notice a lump in their neck when they look in the mirror, but this is uncommon.
Post-nasal drip, sinus headaches, and nasal congestion are symptoms that most people experience at some point in their lives. Yet, people with thyroid disease may be more likely to have these symptoms.
Can thyroid problems affect sinuses? A connection between thyroid and sinus problems is well established. If you don't have enough thyroid hormone, the mucous membranes in your sinuses can swell, causing congestion.
For most people, this cough is a dry, hacking sort of cough.” In addition to cough, thyroid growth can lead to pressing on the vocal cords and a hoarse voice, or pressing on the esophagus and difficulty swallowing food. You may also notice swelling or pain in the front of your lower neck, and even into your ears.
Voice changes may occur even in the cases of mild thyroid failure since thyroid hormone receptors have been found in the larynx, which proves that the thyroid hormone acts on the laryngeal tissue [6]. Hypothyroidism can cause notable voice changes, such as low voice, roughness, reduced range, and vocal fatigue [7].
A barium swallow is an x-ray imaging test that helps your doctor get a detailed visual of the back of the mouth, throat and esophagus to help diagnose oral cancer or other diseases.
The most commonly used drug, methimazole (Tapazole), may also reduce the size of the goiter. For blocking hormone activities. Your health care provider may prescribe a drug called a beta blocker for managing symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Coughing up phlegm is a normal symptom of colds and other health conditions. But coughing up phlegm without feeling sick could indicate a more serious underlying issue like heart or lung disease.
Reasons for coughing up phlegm without feeling ill. It is not unusual to cough up phlegm with a common cold. However, it can also be a sign of a different, sometimes serious, underlying condition such as stomach acid reflux, lung disease, or heart disease.
A cough that produces mucus can sometimes occur in response to irritation from an allergen or irritant. Common culprits include smoke, air pollution, and pollen. Sometimes, however, a cough that produces mucus can signal an acute health condition, such as an upper or lower respiratory infection.
Postnasal drip is when more mucus than normal gathers and drips down the back of your throat. You may feel like you have a tickle in the back of your throat. Postnasal drip can be a bothersome condition that can lead to a chronic cough. The glands in your nose and throat are constantly making mucus.
Possible causes of excess mucus can be food allergies, an acid reflux from the stomach, or an infection. The consistency of mucus in the throat also varies depending on what is going on in your body. Common causes of too much mucus in the throat include a cold or flu, acute bronchitis, sinusitis or pneumonia.
Catarrh is usually caused by the immune system reacting to an infection or irritation, which causes the lining of your nose and throat to become swollen and produce mucus. This can be triggered by: a cold or other infections. hay fever or other types of allergic rhinitis.
Sensitive Skin and Skin Discoloration
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
A swelling or enlargement in the neck is a visible clue that something may be wrong with the thyroid. A goiter may occur with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Sometimes swelling in the neck can result from thyroid cancer or nodules, lumps that grow inside the thyroid.
Rarely, patients with thyroid nodules may complain of pain in the neck, jaw, or ear. If a nodule is large enough to compress the windpipe or esophagus, it may cause difficulty with breathing, swallowing, or cause a “tickle in the throat”.
Low Thyroid and Sinus Health
Hypothyroidism is known to increase your risk of developing sinus problems, especially acute sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal passages).
In fact, thyroid issues can mess with your whole digestive system, so gastric pain, diarrhea, and constipation can be signs of thyroid problems, too.