T.S.

Hi, I am a 39 yr. old female, who doesn't smoke, nor drink.  I am a little overweight by about 20 pounds.  About 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and I have been on medication(HCTZ) which seems to keep it under control.  About 5 months ago, I began to have an overactive thyroid problem, which turned out to be Acute Thyroiditis and now my Thyroid levels are back to normal.  I still, however, have trouble with my heart fluddering and when this happens, I have a brief shortness of breath, and on occasion I get light headed as well along with a consistant problem with headaches.  Also, yesterday, I noticed that the veins/arteries in my lower arms and hands were very large and bulging.  I also had an odd redness to most of my skin, but I general felt fine at the time.  I have also been feeling generally tired a lot and having night sweats, but while awake, I am usually cold, but have been having occasionaly occurances of "hot flashes".  Does this sound like anything that I should be concerned with and have checked out?

[Cleveland Clinic]

Apart from the heart palpitations, it does not sound like a cardiac disorder. All of these other symptoms can be related to thyroid or other endocrine issues. I would recommend an echocardiogram to assess for cardiac dysfunction with your swelling, and possibly a holter monitor to look specifically for the cardiac rhythm disturbance that is causing your shortness of breath. You may also need an ultrasound of your arms to look for DVT with the swelling if your heart function is normal.