Hypothyroidism Support Group

Hello. I am wondering if anyone else with Hashimoto's disease has noticed the same thing I have: When I have a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes surrounding my thyroid only, this usually means it will be time to up my synthroid soon because my TSH will become high. (These bouts usually last a few weeks or even a few months.) I also have problems with my thyroid function getting too high during these bouts (I would guess it is from the swelling causing my thyroid to kick out more hormone then usual). It is only afterward these bouts end that my thyroid becomes more hypoactive. I assume that the sore throat and swollen lymph nodes mean my immune system is attacking my thyroid again.

Here is what I don't get: My doctor does not seem to believe me even though the pattern is always the same. Sometimes I wonder if he even knows what Hashimoto's disease is. I also wonder if I may have a different type of Hashimoto's disease then other people because it seems to run in my family. My mother had it and my sister has it.

Does any of this stuff sound familiar to you? Does the swollen lymph node and sore throat thing and then decreased thyroid function afterward happen to you?

Post edited by: tiggerkenwood, at: 06/24/2011 09:17 PM

I don't have hashimoto's, but I am hypo and I've noticed a similar correlation with my thyroid... my levels have not yet been controlled, but the higher my levels get the more swollen my lymphnodes feel.

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and I understand EXACTLY how you feel. I get that same sore throat and at times it affects the way I swallow food and even drinks. I also know how you feel when it comes to your doctor making it seems like Hashimotos is something foreign. I'm going on my third endo doctor and I was diagnosed just last year. It takes a few rounds to find a doctor that will make you feel at ease but the truth of the matter is you yourself have to do tons of research if you want to find some type of relief. Even though I never stop taking my Synthroid I'm always on the look out for ways to alleviate my symptoms as well as find more information on the disease. It turns out that almost all patients who are hypo have hashimotos because a huge amount of the time hypothyroid is CAUSED by hashimotos. So you're not alone. If it weren't for me doing my research my last doctor would have just told me I'm hypothyroid with elevated antibodies...well in short, Hashimoto's disease. I've been taking Iodine & Iodide supplements and I feel an improvement and I will always be on the look out for the next best thing to help me fight this stubborn disease.

I hope this has helped you.

people with hashimoto's fluctuate between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. eventually - after years of this, hypothyroidism is the end result.

hypothyroidism runs in my family, so i was pre-disposed to getting it. plus my birth family is in europe -- right in the middle of the area designated as an iodine depleted soil environment. so, even though i was raised in the US [i was adopted] my genetics far outweigh any benefits of living primarily in the US for all these years.

my allergist had me tested for hashimoto's and i don't have it.

blessings to all.

Oddly for me although thyroid problems do run in my family, I'm the only one with Hashi's and the rest all have problems with hyper. My sister who was hyper ended up having her thyroid removed.

With regards to the throat swelling, I get that to. It feels like my glands are sore and my neck is swollen and I always have difficulty swallowing food. It doesn't always happen, but I feel like when it is happening my levels have dropped! When I first started on medication, my throat became completely swollen and it felt like I had a really bad bout of tonsilitis that would not go away!

Anyway I hope you get it sorted and that you find a doctor that will listen to you

So glad to read these posts. Aside from my own journey through Hypo/Hashi Thyroid disease, of which I will spare you the details, I have swollen glands AND acne. I am not sure they all correlate as a result of my Hashimoto's but I think they at least compromise each other. My glands have always swelled as a result of cystic acne and I am wondering if that alone was destroying my thyroid (this condition does not run in my family). I was doing great but about a 2 weeks ago I knew my thyroid was off so I got blood work. I was glad to see my TSH levels were not higher but they were actually lover then .45 and my antibodies level was 1 degree below what is considered "normal". Right after the blood work I got the acne, swollen glands and now a sore throat so I am guessing my antibodies are much higher now.

But, in reading these posts I am now remembering how elusive this disease is! I am not sure what to do...up my does if my levels were below normal function, keep it the same 88mg, or decrease? I am also thinking or asking for a general antibiotic to combat the acne, sore throat (which I think is a cold?) and swollen lymph-nodes or try some holistic approach to flushing out my system. Any ideas?

For those with Hashi's...I do know that an anti inflammatory was recommended when my Hashimoto's is acting up. And that makes sense of you think about it.

To tiggerkenwood- YES I do see a patterns and maybe I have had this disease far longer then I realized.

-SGY

Post edited by: sgy, at: 05/29/2012 06:13 AM

Post edited by: sgy, at: 05/29/2012 06:14 AM

@tiggerkenwood u jus dont get compassion from dr anymore im in the process of getting tested but i had a similar situation i had brain cancer n the only way thy found was because i went off on everybody at the hospital wont takeing theres nothing wrong again with tht said sometimes u have b in control tell tbm wht there going to do n ur not taking no for a answer dr aren't wht thy use to be i go thru it alot only u know wht ur bodys doing who r thy to say u dont feel a certain way its a crying shame tht u have to act a certain way to get the right attention smh goodluck n hope thy help u with ur symptoms