Dysphagia and Odynophagia in a Woman With Hypothyroidism

Xiang Liu, MD; John W. Birk, MD

Disclosures

May 03, 2023

Editor's Note:
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Background

A 55-year-old woman with hypothyroidism who is otherwise healthy presents with dysphagia and odynophagia. During the past year, she has had a sensation of food being stuck in her chest, which is accompanied by pain. Her symptoms are progressively worsening, with intolerance to both solids and liquids. Liquids are somewhat easier to tolerate than are solids and do not cause as much pain.

She does not report nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, abdominal pain, weight loss, and rash. She has no personal history of acid reflux, food impaction, caustic ingestion, or esophageal disease as well as no family history of esophageal disease or cancer. Her only medication is levothyroxine.

The patient does not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs. She has no prior occupational exposures.

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