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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Saliva While Suffering From Hashimoto S Disease?

I am a 36yr old female with a hx of hashimoto s thyroiditis. The last 6-7 months I have had an increase in the size of my thyroid, but have had difficulty swallowing saliva. My saliva feels very thick, and I can bring up the thick saliva, and if I clear my throat, or the saliva, i feel better for a few minuutes. This feeling is worse at night when Im sleeping. Some nights I feel as if Im choking. My MD wants to remove my thyroid, but Im not sure that is the answer... please help!
Thu, 13 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi!I understand your concerns and I think the cause for them is the increased size of your thyroid gland. When thyroid gland becomes enlarged, it causes compression of local structures in the neck such as trachea, leading to difficulty in breathing. The compression of trachea also affects the esophagus (which stands behind trachea in the neck), leading to difficulty in swallowing the food and sometimes even the saliva.
I agree with your doctor that you need to surgically remove your thyroid gland. If you were my patient I would recommend the same thing. You can treat hypothyreosis caused by Hashimoto disease with medication, but surgical removal is the only solution for treating mechanical compression in the neck as a result of an enlarged thyroid gland. Of course undergoing a surgical procedure is not an easy thing, and I would recommend you to inform yourself well and discuss all the operative risks of the thyroid removal with your doctor or a thyroid surgeon.
I hope to have answered your question. Please do not hesitate to write me if you have further questions. Take care!
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What Causes Difficulty In Swallowing Saliva While Suffering From Hashimoto S Disease?

Hi!I understand your concerns and I think the cause for them is the increased size of your thyroid gland. When thyroid gland becomes enlarged, it causes compression of local structures in the neck such as trachea, leading to difficulty in breathing. The compression of trachea also affects the esophagus (which stands behind trachea in the neck), leading to difficulty in swallowing the food and sometimes even the saliva. I agree with your doctor that you need to surgically remove your thyroid gland. If you were my patient I would recommend the same thing. You can treat hypothyreosis caused by Hashimoto disease with medication, but surgical removal is the only solution for treating mechanical compression in the neck as a result of an enlarged thyroid gland. Of course undergoing a surgical procedure is not an easy thing, and I would recommend you to inform yourself well and discuss all the operative risks of the thyroid removal with your doctor or a thyroid surgeon. I hope to have answered your question. Please do not hesitate to write me if you have further questions. Take care!