Re: Arrhythmia & Hypothyroidism

Posted By Tamara on April 29, 1999 at 16:58:07
I am a 35 year old woman, I am 5'5 and 135 lbs. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about three years ago. I have had doctors perplexed on my sympthoms, although being "profoundly" hypothyroid, I have symptoms that are related to Hyperthyroid. At one point my TSH levels was at 141., a couple weeks ago it was at 63 and now they have gotten it down to about 13..20 mg was to high and I was at 63 TSH levels at .175, I am now taking the .175 and half of .025. But the thing is I have a high pulse rate, over 100 at resting and has been as high as 140. I have constant diahrrea.I believe I should have a scan done of my thyroid, because it's never consistant. It's like it works sometimes and other times, not at all, and that leaves my levels inconsistant and usually the TSH is too high. Do I need a scan and would I feel better having the thyroid taken out, so I can feel better. Also I recently visited a Cardiologist, because of the rapid heart beat, blood rushing to my head and extra heart beats. A Holter said I had around 8 extra heart beats a hour, when these occur, blood rushes to my head and it gives me a headache. A echo found nothing, except this small problem, The doc said He can give me beta blockers, but it will not stop the extra heart beats. Can I do anything? and are these two problems related? During the time my hypothyroidism was being diagnosed, a B-12 defiencey was found, that I had shots of B-12, it now stays borderline. All this followed the birth of my twins. My last bp was 99/58.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - MTR on April 30, 1999 at 13:45:04
Dear Tamara, thank you for your question.  Although I'm not an endocrinologist, I don't think a thyroid scan will help in the treatment of hypothyroidism - these scans usually are only useful for hyperthyroidism.  If you TSH level is still elevated, then you need a higher dose of synthroid.  The premature beats you suffer from are probably not related to the hyperthyroidism.  Common causes of premature beats that should be avoided include alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.  If your echocardiogram was normal, then the premature beats will not harm you, but certainly can be a nuisance.  Beta blockers may help to suppress to the premature beats, so it's worth trying this medication since you are so symptomatic with premature beats.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[shanon-m]

Posted By shannon m. on May 01, 1999 at 12:00:59
I wonder if anyone has suggested Hashimoto's syndrome to you?  Your description is a near match for a friend of mine, who experience all of this following the birth of her first child.
Hmmmm...










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