What Does Thyroid Pain Feel Like? How to Tell if It’s More Than Just a Sore Throat

Thyroid problems are often associated with common symptoms like fatigue, hair loss or trouble shedding stubborn pounds. But discomfort in a specific area of your neck can also be an important sign that the gland isn’t functioning properly. What exactly does thyroid pain feel like? Here, experts explain how to differentiate the sensation from other causes of neck or throat sensitivity, plus how to find relief. 

What does thyroid pain feel like? 

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland on the front of the neck that makes and releases crucial hormones within the body. Thyroid pain typically presents as a dull, aching discomfort at the front of your neck, explains Ehsan Ali, MD, a.k.a The Beverly Hills Concierge Doctor. The thyroid gland sits low in the neck, so the pain is usually centralized there, but can radiate to the jaw, ears or even down the throat. 

“Some people describe it as a soreness that worsens with swallowing or turning the head,” he says

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You may feel pressure in the lower front of the neck, or even a sharp, throbbing pain,  adds Linda Goggin, MD, a physician with Paloma Health, a women’s health clinic specializing in hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. 

“Unlike muscular neck pain, which tends to affect the sides or back of the neck and responds to stretching or massage, thyroid pain is generally centered at the front of the neck and is often tender to gentle touch or pressure,” says Dr. Goggin. 

It’s also important to distinguish thyroid-related pain from infections like strep throat, she adds. While strep may also cause front-of-neck discomfort, it is usually accompanied by sore throat, fever and swollen tonsils. 

Thyroid-related pain, on the other hand, often appears without those signs and may include systemic symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes or mood shifts. 

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Causes of thyroid pain

Thyroid pain is most often linked to a condition called subacute thyroiditis, an immune reaction which is usually triggered by a viral infection, says Dr. Goggin. The thyroid becomes inflamed, which can cause pain and tenderness. 

Subacute thyroiditis often occurs a few weeks after a viral infection of the ear, sinus or throat (like the flu or a common cold). Middle-aged women with symptoms of a viral upper respiratory tract infection are most susceptible to the condition. 

Less commonly, thyroid pain can result from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder), bacterial infections, bleeding into a thyroid cyst or rapid growth of a nodule. 

In rare cases, thyroid cancer may cause localized pain, but this type of cancer is typically painless in the early stages. 

When to see a doctor for thyroid pain

Thyroid pain is not something to ignore. It’s relatively uncommon and usually a sign that something more serious may be going on, and it should be properly evaluated, says Dr. Goggin. 

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“If the pain persists for more than a few days, worsens or is accompanied by swelling, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, fever or symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (like fatigue or weight changes), it’s important to seek medical attention,” says Dr. Goggin. 

To help diagnose the root cause of your thyroid pain, your doctor will take your medical history, then likely perform a physical exam, run blood tests to check your thyroid levels and potentially request imaging tests to check the thyroid gland itself.

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Home remedies to soothe thyroid pain

While waiting for test results (or to get in to see your doctor), there are things you can do at home to help ease thyroid discomfort. Here are a few options that may offer some relief:

• Use a compress. Apply a warm (not hot) compress to the neck for 10 to 15 minutes, several times per day, to ease discomfort and reduce inflammation.
• Try OTC meds. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, taken every 6 to 8 hours with food, may help reduce thyroid pain and swelling.
• Consider red light therapy. While more research is needed, early studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that using a low-level red light therapy device in the 600 to 830 nm wavelength range for 5 to 10 minutes once daily may help, says Dr. Goggin. Be sure to follow safety guidelines from the device’s manufacturer.
• Make time for R&R. If your thyroid pain is due to a viral infection, rest and hydration are critical, advises Dr. Ali. Stay well-hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, and avoid straining your voice or engaging in strenuous activity while you’re recovering.