Thyroid Pain Symptoms

Thyroid Pain Causes

Typically, thyroid pain causes discomfort or tenderness in the neck or throat area under the chin and below the area that's often described as the "Adam's apple." Sometimes thyroid pain causes difficulty swallowing. It can honestly be called a "pain in the neck."

Thyroid pain in the neck area can be distressing enough by itself. But when you consider the thyroid is an important part of your endocrine system and controls your body's metabolism, you can appreciate that any pain in this area should be taken seriously.

There's a long list of conditions and disorders that cause thyroid pain symptoms. In many cases, you'll need thyroid function tests to figure out the cause. Here are some of the most likely possibilities.

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism These are better known by their more commonly used names: high thyroid and low thyroid respectively.

Hyperthyroidism or high thyroid This is also known as overactive thyroid or high thyroid. Your thyroid is producing too much hormone when you have this problem. Besides pain, hyperthyroidism symptoms usually include puffiness around the eyes, feeling excessively hot in normal or cold temperatures, insomnia, hand tremors, joint pains, increased appetite, nervousness, excitability and unexpected weight loss. Also known as overactive thyroid.

Hypothyroidism or low thyroid Hypothyroidism is also known as underactive thyroid or low thyroid. It occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. Symptoms include thyroid pain, fatigue, constipation, hoarseness, problems with memory and cognition, depression, dry skin, and hair loss. Someone with hypothyroidism is also likely to gain weight even though they have less of an appetite. Puffiness around the eyes and a sensitivity to cold are also common. Hypothyroidism is sometimes called underactive thyroid.

Thyroiditis Whenever you see the suffix "itis," on the end of a word, you know inflammation is involved. Thyroiditis is means inflammation of the thyroid gland. It may or may not cause pain, and it may or may not disrupt normal thyroid function. There are a number of types of thyroiditis, including the following.
 
Hashimoto's thyroiditis - This is the most common type. It occurs when the cells of the thyroid becomes can't efficiently convert iodine into thyroid hormone. Click on Hashimoto thyroid disease.

Subacute thyroiditis - This type usually follows an upper respiratory infection. Most forms of thyroid disease are more common in women. This type is the exception, occurring as often to males as to females. It is also known as subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, De Quervain's thyroiditis, or simply as painful thyroiditis.

Other thyroid pain causes Thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer usually appears a lump in the lower neck. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure if the lump is malignant or not. Thyroid cancer is relatively rare, but can certainly be life-threatening.

People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life seem to be at a high risk for contracting thyroid cancer.

Goiter This is an enlarged thyroid gland. The whole thyroid may be enlarged, or there might be enlargement of a number of smaller parts within the thyroid known as thyroid nodules. Some are relatively small but others can grow quite large. A goiter is generally non-cancerous.

Thyroid pain treatment It's important to follow your doctor's orders closely when you have thyroid pain. You should also expect your doctor to suggest tests to determine the source of your discomfort, and how serious it is.

Most conditions that cause thyroid pain are not life-threatening, but of course you don't want to be the exception to the rule. So when you first suspect your pain is connected to your thyroid gland, it's smart to talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Also see our article on effects of thyroid problems. 

 

     

 

 

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