Is Snoring a Symptom of Hypothyroidism?

When you are asleep, as the air passes over soft tissues and through narrow upper airways, the sound that results is termed as snoring. That specific noise or snores happen when the air passes over a partial obstruction in the nasal passages. These are due to:

• Over-relaxed throat muscles
• Nasal congestion
• Inflammation in tonsils and adenoids
• Weight gain
• Sleeping on your back
• Sedative use
• Consumption of alcohol close to bedtime

Mild snoring isn’t dangerous but if you have been a chronic and loud snorer, there may be underlying health issues that need to evaluated by a medical professional. One of the key aspects to consider is Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

At the base of your neck, the thyroid gland is located and produces essential thyroid hormones – T3 and T4. These hormones regulate body temperature, metabolism and heart rate apart from other numerous functions. Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Cold intolerance
• Slow heart rate
• Dry hair and skin
• Constipation
• Hoarse voice
• Puffy face

The condition is caused due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune disorders, radiation therapy, or specific medications.

If you are wondering if hypothyroidism is connected to snoring, you need to know that low thyroid levels affect tissue, muscles and overall physiology of the respiratory system.

Due to severe hypothyroidism, myxedema is a health condition where mucopolysaccharides, a complex sugar, accumulates in the body leading to inflammation. In the upper respiratory track, it leads to pharyngeal tissues, thickening vocal cords and tongue. The inflammation leads to narrowing of the airway and enhances snoring, due to increase of vibrations during breathing. In some cases, it creates full obstruction which leads to obstructive sleep apnea.

There is general muscle weakness, due to hypothyroidism that includes throat muscles that keep the airway open. Overly-relaxed muscles make the airway partially collapse, when laying down. It leads to snoring and in many cases, lead to apneic episodes.

A common symptom of hypothyroidism is weight gain and obesity, especially layers of fat on the neck. Neck and chin fat deposits can narrow upper airway causing obstructions in normal breathing. A thicker neck circumference a strong sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Most people with hypothyroidism have decreased respiratory drive and reduced lung function. Usually, this is due to intercostal muscles and weak diaphragm. It leads to shallow breathing when asleep and can enhance the risk of snowing due to airway obstruction. Additionally, low levels of thyroid due to pleural effusion (build-up of fluid in the lungs). It makes your breathing more difficult.

Research has found results that there is a connection between hypothyroidism and OSA. As per the American Journal of Medicine, it was noted that more than 30% individuals with hypothyroidism were diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

There was significant improvement with the use of synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) which brough immense relief to the symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring. 

However, hypothyroidism is not the only reason for sleep apnea but other factors such as physical anomalies such as deviated septum, swollen tonsils, obesity, and age maybe the reason.

If you snore sometimes, it does not indicate that you have any serious issues or hypothyroidism. It can be due to allergies or nasal congestion. However, if you have heavy chronic snoring along with other signs of hypothyroidism, you need to see a doctor to explore thyroid related issues contributing to the snoring. Some signs of snoring related to hypothyroid are:

• Sudden start of snoring
• Snoring and daytime drowsiness
• Fatigue, weight gain with snoring
• Swollen tongue/puffed up face
• Raspy or hoarse voice
• Brain fog

In case, you notice any of the signs, it is possible that you have hypothyroidism and need to schedule the Thyroid Function test.

Hormone replacement therapy

This is the most common treatment. With the use of levothyroxine, the artificial thyroid hormone restores the hormone levels in the body and reduces the physical changes and related snoring. Some of these include reducing swelling and snoring while improving muscle tone. Thus, sleep quality improves and snoring reduces after a few weeks of starting the medicine.

Treatment of OSA

If you have been diagnosed with OSA, you will be recommended thyroid therapy and CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy. It helps to keep the airway open when you are asleep. 

Managing weight

If you are looking to reduce snoring, it is important to lose weight that has accumulated around the stomach and neck area. However, this process is slow for those with hypothyroidism as they have low metabolism. But with diet changes, exercise and thyroid treatment, it is possible. 

Make lifestyle changes

Some of the snoring-related issues are sleeping on the side, treating nasal congestion, using humidifier and avoiding alcohol.

Snoring is not just a noise at night. It can be a sign of the deeper issue such as hypothyroidism. Though not all issues have thyroid issues but snore due to other reasons – weight gain, fatigue and nasal congestion. If you have thyroid issues, and snoring due to it, taking thyroid hormone treatment can help you stop snoring. It is important to schedule an assessment by a medical professional to get all the tests done.