The feeling of Choking and neck tightening with sore throat..

[bugaboo52]

I have not been dignosed with a thyroid condition but I have a dr's appointment on monday and I am getting all my info together.  Last TSH was 4.12..could I feel significant symptoms at that number? I realize you need other tests to really get the full picture so I am going to ask for those on monday.  
I am wondering if I have neck symptoms like the ones in my title could they come and go? I notice it comes on sporadically but when it does it lasts for a week or so and can be very scary.  It is not like heartburn or gerd,  wearing scarves and my seatbelt just arent possible but then it just goes away.  If it were thyroid would it just disapear? the sore throat is the symptom that I have noticed for at least 2 years and comes and goes and can be really painful at times. I have never had a Dr find a reason for the sore throat. I can not see any obvious swelling or feel anything odd on my neck when these episodes occur...but I dont know what I am looking for either.  
I am going to ask my dr for these tests...
Ferritin
B12
vitamin D
cortisol
cholesterol
Free t3-t4
anti-tpo
tgAB.
does that sound about right??
thank you for any help you can offer...

[bugaboo52]

Hey there lazy moose, thanks for the response. I am pretty sure it isnt gerd or heartburn.  I have had pretty bad heartburn at times and that is usually a severe pain in my back...the choking feeling I get is more like something is pressing on my windpipe and it is really bad with scarves and seatbelts. I have tried anti histamines thinking it might be allergies and different antacids for heartburn...none of it works and it lasts for a week or so at a time and then disappears as quickly as it comes.  It is completely random and never know why or when it will happen.  
I will have more answers by the end of this week, or at least I am hoping I will.  I went to my Dr and she wrote up requisition for TSH, free t4, some kind of antibodies test and an ultrasound on my thyroid.  I checked out the thyroid guidelines and protocols for our provincial medical plan and it doesnt look good for the average patient looking for a diagnosis.  It is set up to keep people sick as further testing is prohibited if the tsh comes back within normal range and without serious special considerations. So though my Dr attempted to write up a special case for further testing, the tests may not be run.  I am hoping that the ultrasound might show something if the tests are not approved. So, I will probably have to wait 6+ months for the ultrasound but at least it is something.  My dr took my concerns seriously and listened to my info on the newer ranges from the endocrine assoc.  But her hands are tied by provincial guidelines.  I hope to have some answers this week...thanks for all your info and expertise:)

[LazyMoose]

Sure is not slight gerd - a hypo symptom too?  Its hard to know at first.

An inflamed thyroid can spread to the neck muscles too, tightening them.  I've had both, very bothersome!

[julie1071]

My mom has also the same thing and trying to get to an Endo. because to often PCM's rely on TSH. Despite diet and excercise can't lose weight. My dad was diagnosed 2 months ago. My dh has it. Feel sorry for our 3 kids LOL.

[TamraW]

Julie, I have Hashimoto's. My TSH never went above a 2.74. My TPOab antibodies were a 221 and they should be below 35. My thyroid is a lump of Swiss cheese. My isthmus is what is choking me and YES, it  does come and go. That's common with Hashi goiter. Please explain to your endo that TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone, and since many Hashis swing from hyper to hypo (I did) the TSH is even less reliable because you could be going through a hyper stage at the time of bloodwork.

Therefore, the ONLY reliable tests for Hashi are the TGab, TPOab and the ultrasound. You doctor should look at your symptoms, not a misleading number. BTW - My endo said a healthy thyroid TSH should average 1.1, so you are WAY above the norm and above my highest range as well.

:) Tamra

[bugaboo52]

thanks for your reply.  I have a feeling I might be dealing with hashimotos, as I seem to have symptoms that go back and forth between hyper and hypo.  I also have had other bloodwork come back that indicates some kind of autoimmune disorder.  The problem with my dr is she has tends to rely on the TSH rather heavily and if it falls in normal ranges then she seems to drop the thyroid issue.  I was hoping to present her with a list of symptoms and tests and hope that she will take it seriously. I have never talked with my family dr about the choking but brought it up with the rheumatologist who said thyroid right away...but she got distracted and did not run any tests for it.  The rheumatologist wants me to take plaquenil but I want to fully rule out thyroid before I do that. This is so frustrating:(

[julie1071]

Your doctor will know what tests to run for your thyroid.  TSH, T3, T4 levels  Possibly order a thyroid scan (ultrasound of your neck)  I am sure your doctor will do a cbc.  Hope all is good for you though.  I got diagnosed two years ago with Hashimoto's, I've been hyperthyroid, then put on synthroid, now hyperthyroid again, lowered my dose.  Not fun, but again hope all works out for you.  There's some good member's on here who where here for me last summer, and I thank all of them for the support, since I had none here.