Thyroid and allergy affecting voice

Subject: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 08:25 PM

I used to enjoy singing but now I have an underactive thyroid condition, which causes my voice to become weak and husky. I also have a dust allergy which has a similar effect as well as making my voice more 'nasal' due to inflamed nasal lining. Has anyone got advice how to ease these effects?

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 08:44 PM

Treat the underlying problems.

Supplementation for the thyroid one, cleaning up your domestic environment to eliminate dust mites for the dust allergy. (Use a Dyson or Vax - get rid of old bedding and carpets - no rugs or carpets in the bedroom - turn off central heating and open the windows to let the house get cold enough to kill the buggers - etc. etc., there must be lots of advice about managing dustmite allergy out there on the web).

Don't eat kiwifruit, they contain a protein which usually cross-reacts with dustmite allergen.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 09:32 PM

Get a prescription from your doctor for levoxyl or Synthroid. You will have to take periodic blood tests to determine the correct dosage.

For the allergy try Claritin or any of the other over the counter pills.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 09:41 PM

You DO NOT want to take pills for an allergy if eliminating the allergen is an option - allergies will usually get worse if you continue to be exposed to the allergen. For dust allergy, elimination is not easy but usually works.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:15 PM

Here's what I think.

Many people have allergies, and they get along okay. But a thyroid problem can be serious, can ruin your whole life. So make the thyroid your first priority.

When that's under control tackle the 'dust' problem. You may find you have more energy once the thyroid is under control. Then read books, ask doctors for advice, clean house.

I do think that 'dust allergy' is awful vague. For example, are we talking about allergy to mold, pollen or dust mites? They are very different kettles of fish.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:39 PM

I take 300 mgs of levoxyl daily. I sing pretty well for a MABFG.

D

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: nutty
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 07:10 AM

My underactive thyroid is treated with thyroxine.

My voice has dropped considerably but I find I have far more power in the lower register than I ever had trying to sing as a soprano.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 03:53 PM

I forgot to add: My allergy is to dust mite droppings, apparently. I'm in the process of getting rid of my carpets and all the soft furnishings that I can do without. I've tried antihistamines, they didn't work. In the end I saw a specialist who said there's nothing else they can do except give me a nasal douche kit which I'd have to use twice a day. I just don't have the time!!

I take levothyroxine 150mcg per day. I think levoxyl and synthroid are brand names for levothyroxine? I didn't know the thing about kiwi fruit, how strange! My voice feels really strained sometimes and my throat feels tight.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,Deborah Jazz Singer
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 01:32 AM

Well, I'm on Levothyroxine 175 for about the last 20 years. I didn't know it has a relation to the voice. Now I am having problems with all the above. I was thinking about going on Armor Thyroid, because of the better results, I've noted after asking many questions and reading.

I find that with much rehearsal and voice training, I didn't have this before, however now, for the first time, I have Laryngitis. No symptoms, just woke up in the morning with no voice, no sore throat, no sinus issues, no voice! I looked on the Internet and the advice was, don't talk for a week. It's been hard to not talk since I'm a very busy Realtor http://www.SellingSouthCali.com, then after about a few days, I would gently try to sing a song, like Moonlight in Vermont, oh my gosh (howling dog). I try to test my voice mildly at times, but sound very bad (a dying creature) that is about it. I'm scared, will it go on forever? Could I lose my voice and never return to the quality of before? I don't even want to talk, but I must to pay my bills. I just moved into a home with a roommate (her house), who has 2 dogs (not maintained) and a very dusty house. Fortunately, my room has tile and I keep it very clean. I've got sinusitis within one week of living here and had 3 wks of antibiotics. Now I'm just trying to fight the irritants. Did I just answer my own question? Well I gave my notice 2 weeks ago, not just because of the dog hair and dust.

I would appreciate any input or advice, thank you. I to will give my input for any that need it, If I have experience in the issue.

Sincerely, Deborah

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 05:34 AM

I have underactive thyroid. On 75 mg Levoxothyrine for 10 years. Perhaps it has affected my voice but if so it has been a boon. I am loving the low whuskey voice I am developing as opposed to the spidery thin soprano I used to be. My voice now has character. I should say that I use volume to cover any weakness. I am getting to know a different voice and trying different songs, postures, dynamics, intonation to make the most of it. I am having a blast.

Maybe see a voice coach who can help you make the most of what your body is now producing. A coach also should be able to train you how to sing past allergy and cold symptoms. They do for opera singers and such don't they?

Must say that when I removed the carpets in my former house my sinus problems improved immediately. So anything you can do to illiminate dust will very likely help. I also find the less dairy I consume the better my voice and experience fewer sinus problems. So only skim milk in cereal and cheese and ice cream on special occasions only.

DebJazzSinger - That is a terrifying prospect. Hope both you and Jane of 'ull get the threats to your singing voices sorted quickly.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,Helen, cookieless despite logging in
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 07:14 AM

Hi,

I've been on Thyroxine for a few years now. My doctor told me that the periodic blood tests and dose adjustments will probably need to be done at different times over the years because things change. Maybe that is what you need to do - go to your doctor and see if you need your dosage adjusted.

Helen

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 08:08 AM

My thyroid is the bane of my existence. Up and down like a yo yo. It has been about 20 years and I still can't get it under control. Last year, I was misdiagnosed with thyroid cancer. Multiple trips to Mass general, Maine Med, and a local specialist - Jacqui is a saint. The dosage has gone from 25 to 125 and the tests still show me underactive. The emotional ups and downs are a bitch as well as the memory problems and weight gain.
I can't have it taken out because the swelling and cysts now involve a nerve to my vocal cords and I will likely lose or damage my ability to speak if they operate - I am in sales.
I know it is minimal compared to some of the health problems others here deal with. It's still a bitch.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Jane of 'ull
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 04:40 PM

I'm putting an ad out to find a voice coach somewhere in East Yorkshire hopefully..

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 02:49 AM

oh my Sins. Hugging and hoping for breakthroughs on the autoimmune research for all of us. Hypothyroidism typically stems from autoimmune problems. We must all be on the look out for other symptoms not related to thyroid.

My remaining daughter (she is 23,) has to have a scan of thyroid because it is quite enlarged. She also has autoimmune related liver disease and polyovarian cysts. Her sister (passed at 23 in 2005) had hypothyroidism until the adrenal dysfunction took over and destroyed her.

I now have rheumatoid arthritis, sjongrens syndrome (dries up mucous membranes) and am now being monitored and tested for cardiovascular problems. I turned 51 yesterday. Talk about feeling mortal.

I just want to charge you ladies to get all the information, take good care of yourselves and watch your daughters, sisters, cousins for symptoms and press them to look after themselves.

and another hug to my thyroid sisters.

Subject: RE: Losing my singing voice after quitting smoking
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 09 - 01:25 PM

I smoked for 35 years and quit 4 weeks ago. I sing in a church band but I am sounding horribly hoarse now. I'm hoping that this is not permanent but just part of the healing process. Is there anything I can drink to make it smooth again?

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,i cant sing after spring comes
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:31 AM

im really great singer but after i got sick from allergies in march i have so much gunk in my throat and lungs i cant sing high like i used to.even when go for my 4 mile jog its hard to swallow from all the stuff draing down my throat. any suggestions to fix this.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,Sue
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 04:47 PM

I'm on thyroxin, only 50mcgs per day but my upper register singing voice has sadly gone now. I too used to be a lyric soprano and can now sing in lower keys but miss my upper register so much.
Don't know if anything can be done about it? Be interested to find out.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 06:11 PM

You might try the NeilMed Sinus Rinse (http://www.neilmed.com/ire/products.php) or some similar product. This uses warm water and a commercially mixed saline powder, which you squirt up your nose into your sinuses and out again.

I used to have a pretty nice singing voice until I started using a steroid inhaler. Now people ask me to stop if I sing.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 09 Oct 10 - 06:12 PM

Oh, and the other thing - get rid of your duvet at least once a year, to keep the mite population down, and your pillows every three months; you might also put them in a freezer for 48 hours every month or so. (Do it when you're going away for a weekend.)

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 06:16 PM

Wow! This blows me away. I also have hypothyroid controlled by medication, but it is my lower register that is disappearing. I can sing higher than ever before. I didn't realize that some people lost their high notes.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: janemick
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:59 PM

Oh! didnt realise that hypothyroid even when treated could have an effect on the voice. My voice has lowered considerably in the last 7 years. This is only a problem in that my overal range is somewhat less than before.
I have to have a thyroidectomy in January and am quite concerned about damage to the nerve to the vocal folds - the thought of damaging my voice permanently is terrible. hey-ho!

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,L.D.
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 07:34 PM

I had bronchitis in April of 2009. Since then I found I cannot sing anymore. My doctor who is treating me for a thyroid condition the last 15years says that I should see and ENT man so he can look down my throat at my vocal cords. I guess I am a coward. I do have allergies at night, as soon as I lay down to sleep I cannot breathe.
So maybe there is truth to getting rid of the duvet and changing the pillows. I will try that.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Becca72
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 04:35 PM

I'm going to the doctor tomorrow because I have concerns about my thyroid. I've noticed a significant hair loss over the past 4 weeks and I'm tired all the time. My older sister has hypothyroidism and it presented similarly. Until I read this thread, however, I had no idea that the problems with my voice could have been related to thyroid issues. For quite a while now I have noticed my voice cuts out (or squeaks) from time to time, both speaking and singing (which I only do alone in the car!). I just chalked it up to my asthma inhaler which I recently found out could cause me to lose my voice. Sheesh!

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: kendall
Date: 23 Jan 12 - 08:21 AM

I hope none of you ends up like me. All I can do now is imitate a Giraffe.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: Gurney
Date: 23 Jan 12 - 09:57 PM

Ah. Is THAT why I can no longer sing some songs in DMaj? Does hypothyroidism also affect the memory for words?

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,Marybee
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 08:32 AM

I am a member of a Choral Group and recently my voice has been giving me huge problems. I used to have such a lovely singing voice but now it breaks down, squeaks, and I loose breath and start fits of coughing! It is so embarrassing and I don't want to disrupt a choir with it. We are performing live in May and I think I may back out of it much as I so enjoy the singing. I think I may leave the Choral for good alas because of this problem. I'm 54 but there are women and men there in their 70's whose voices are really good. I do have an under active thyroid and I am taking eltroxin for this and now I wonder, after reading the other posts, is this what's causing my voice distress. Is there anything I can gargle with that might help me. I'm losing my confidence rapidly in this regard.

Subject: RE: Thyroid and allergy affecting voice
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Mar 12 - 11:31 AM

The problems such as breaking down or squeaks might be caused by acid reflux from the stomach. (Acid reflux gets so common as we get older.) Sometimes when I was singing, by vocal folds would suddenly 'slam shut,' and I was unable to make a sound.

Something said on the Mudcat led me to suspect acid reflux. I started putting dry milk powder in my coffee (neutralizes the acid) and my voice hasn't slammed shut while singing since.

I do notice acid reflux at other times, and I drink a glass of lukewarm water. Again, this is a helpful suggestion that I learned on a thread right here.

I have a friend who had a thyroid problem. She mentioned to the doctor that she was cutting back on talking, and his response was "Whatever for?" As a result, I suspect that unless your thyroid has been allowed to get in awful shape, that there is no connection between the thyroid and the voice.

Fits of coughing - alas, I find that post-nosal drip can start me coughing in the midst of a song. Maybe see an allergist or eye-nose-throat doctor. Don't give up singing without a fight!