Thyroid Disease and Difficulty Swallowing

“Doctor, there is a lump in my throat.” I hear these words from patients nearly every day that I am in the office. There are many causes of difficulty swallowing and an abnormal sensation in the throat. Sometimes the discomfort is caused by an enlarged thyroid or a thyroid nodule. A thyroid nodule is an abnormal growth within the thyroid gland. A large thyroid nodule or an enlarged gland can place pressure on the esophagus, windpipe and spine. The spine is resilient because it is made of bone and the trachea is made of cartilage. However, the esophagus and pharynx (throat) are composed only of muscle and soft tissue and can be compressed with much less force. This is the reason that difficulty swallowing occurs before patients have difficulty breathing or neck pain.

Several of the last few patients that have had removal of all or an abnormal part of the thyroid gland tell me that it is a great relief to not have the constant feeling that a ball is being swallowed or that a vice is around the neck. The thyroid gland is a very important gland, but fortunately the thyroid’s hormones can be replaced with a daily pill. As was mentioned previously, there can be other more common causes of difficulty swallowing, such as acid reflux. Typically patients will be screened or treated for a more common condition if there is suspicion that one of these conditions is present. In the properly selected candidate, removal of an enlarged gland or an abnormal portion can make an positive difference in one’s quality of life.

-Lawrence Robinson, Jr., MD

For more information on thyroid disease and thyroid surgery, please see information on thyroid disease.