The thyroid is a gland that produces hormones that help to orchestrate various processes in the body, particularly in terms of energy use. It’s a small butterfly-shaped gland found at the front of the neck and there are a number of ways in which you may experience problems with it.

It is estimated that 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, accounting for around 12% of the population. Thyroid disease is a global problem but some countries experience higher prevalence of the disease than others.

Thyroid problems cause all sorts of symptoms, but here we specifically look at whether thyroid problems can affect your breathing.

Thyroid problems and symptoms

The thyroid is a small gland but it is important for a huge number of bodily processes. This is because the hormones produced by it determine how energy is used within the body – your metabolism.

Problems arise when not enough hormones are produced (hypothyroidism), which slows down your metabolism, and when too much of the hormones are produced (hyperthyroidism) which makes your metabolism too fast. In short, your thyroid balances the hormones as needed when it is working well. When it is out of kilter, which can happen for various reasons, including Graves’ Disease, this is when problems occur and symptoms arise.

While the different levels of thyroid hormone affect many different systems and processes in the body, one that is commonly experienced is the effect on your breathing.

Learn about how you can tell if you have a thyroid problem.

Can thyroid problems affect your breathing and if so, how?

Yes, thyroid problems can affect your breathing. Not everyone experiences these symptoms, but they are relatively common. The good news is that in most instances, it doesn’t take too long to feel better once you take thyroid medication.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid produces too little of the thyroid hormones.

This affects your breathing because the muscles responsible for breathing can be weakened. As a result, your lungs work less efficiently and it feels much more laborious to breathe. You may be short of breath despite minimal exertion. Exercise can feel very difficult. You may feel very tired.

The thyroid hormones are necessary for the body to produce pulmonary surfactant. This is the lubricating liquid that makes your lungs able to move smoothly to breathe. Pulmonary surfactant is also needed so that your lungs can clean themselves. You may have a hoarse voice or wake with a dry cough that doesn’t clear easily.

Hypothyroidism can cause swelling in the thyroid gland, causing a goiter. This may result in a narrowed windpipe, also making it harder to breathe.

As a result, hypothyroidism is also associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a worrying condition in which you experience pauses in your breathing while you sleep. In some cases of hypothyroidism, central (non-obstructive) sleep apnea may occur, whereby there is a delay in breathing during sleep, or breathing may stop altogether. Untreated and uncontrolled, sleep apnea can be very dangerous.

In addition, hypothyroidism can cause pleural effusion which is a build-up of fluid around the lungs.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is also associated with weakened muscles making it harder to breathe. In addition, hyperthyroidism can cause dyspnea when you exert yourself. This is a shortness of breath and can be frightening.

Hyperthyroidism can cause hyperventilation. You may find that you breathe more rapidly but less deeply. This can make you light-headed and breathless as there isn’t enough carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. In turn, this can cause your heartrate to quicken.

Hyperthyroidism is also associated with thyroid cancer and also the development of a goiter (large swelling the front of the neck). In these instances, the trachea, or windpipe, can be compressed, also making it harder to breathe. Untreated thyroid cancer may metastasize to the lungs and this too will add to breathing difficulties.

Thyroid medication and treatment for breathing problems

Fortunately, many of the breathing symptoms caused by thyroid problems go away with treatment and medication. Hormone replacement, through medication like levothyroxine, can make living with thyroid problems much easier.

Often, breathing problems are amongst the first signs that you have thyroid problems. It’s not unusual for patients to feel out-of-breath without exertion, experience breathless fatigue, or experience a dry cough or hoarse voice. Most thyroid problems can be picked up with a simple blood test. If you are concerned that your breathing problems could be a sign of thyroid problems, do arrange for blood tests and a review with your doctor.

If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid problem and put on thyroid medication, ensure you take the medication regularly and according to your doctor’s advice as this will help get rid of thyroid-related breathing problems and other unwanted symptoms.

We make every effort to provide you with clear and informative health information at International Pharmacy. We endeavor to ensure the advice is accurate and up to date. However, this information is not personalized and should not be used in place of advice from your own medical professional. If you are concerned about your health, including your thyroid function, do seek your own medical support and advice.