Thyroid heart relationship

After reading many posts, I've apparently experienced palpitations and flutters or whatever for quite some time, however several weeks ago as I was driving to the west side of town I felt a tremendous pressure growing in my chest and began to think the hospital was in the opposite direction. I thought, calm down, false alarm, I stopped back home and went straight to my recliner and kicked back, tried to relax. It continued to get worse for awhile then receded some, whew. Then started coming back worse in just a minute or so. Ended up going to the hospital and answering a battery of questions, blood pressure 195/110, taking nitro, aspirin, EKG, labs, the works. More questions and Dr. says EKG ok, Lab ok, but says this is just too classic, I would like you to stay. Released 24 hours later. Follow up exam led to 24 hour monitor, more labs.. Nurse calls makes appointment because monitor reviled premature contractions, lab TSH level 10.85. Now taking 120 mg Diltiazem Hydrochloride, 75 mcg levothyroxin (levothyroxine), 1 aspirin a day. What's the relationship? I now have had, since that day, a feeling in the center of my chest that is like a medium bruise. No marks or anything, just a bruised feeling and a little tenderness if pressure is applied to the center. Can anyone fill me in? Anything like it?  


This discussion is related to Heart Palpitations While Sleeping.

[SaraScotti003]

To guessagain:
I noticed you had thyroid heart relationship in the title. Yes I know from experience that the thyroid does help control the rythm of your heart. Mostly heart arythrima's and palpatations can occur from Hyperthroidism, but I had SVT and skipped heart beats and it was brought on due to my Hypothroidism. I am also currently on thryoid medicine, and was just treated for my SVT, through SVT ablation. I experienced the same symptoms you did,also  the panic and rushing to the hospital. I had to undergo a full year of tests and doctors untill they finally narrowed it down. There are many types of heart arythimias, and it can take them a long time to find out which one it is. Finally after having a sevre attack and they caught it on an EKG was when I was finally diginosed.
So take is slow and get to the doctor when you feel an attack, also ask to get put on a heart monitor for a week or 2, they should catch it then.
Also rembember that heart arythimia's are not normally life threating, just really scarry.
Good luck
Sara

[guessagain]

Can you tell me what your TSH level was? Did you have the lingering bruised sensation at all?

[sick and tired 47]

Hi! Sorrry to hear about your health issues. I  can relate... never had any health problems til I had thyroid nodules/thyroid lobectomy. Now I am "borderline hypo" and have SVT of heart... WOW, how did all that happen??
Drs deny thyroid/heart connection,but I am feeling better as I get more optimal thyroid levels.
  And yes, I have had the bruised feeling... after a really bad "attack" . It can last for some time but does eventually go away. Best of luck to you.

[guessagain]

You say "borderline hypo". Do you know what your lab uses as a normal TSH level?

[Me967]

I had the same question with the heart & thyroid connection.  Yes it does exist and they are connected.  
I had a couple attacks that left my chest feel like a giant black and blue mark.  It also felt very sunken in.  

My BP and HR would go from one extreme to the other.  I was/am Hypo with heart issues.  Normal ranges for TSH vary from .34-5.6 some higher and some around ~.35-3.0.  Most people feel their best around 1.0 take or give a little; everyone is different.

With me my TSH was not even close to yours.  I would be an emotional case & feel crapy with numbers like that (due to hormonal changes; it just happens whether you know your numbers or not).  With me it was back in 2006.....I think it was only maybe 2 as my highest.  
It's sort of a question of the chicken and egg with me though.  Did the heart issues cause the thyroid issues or thyroid cause the heart issues because I waited so long to get checked?  

The main thing is to take your thyroid med's at least an hour before your other med's/ vitamins w/o milk!  Have them checked often and check your BP and HR.  Body temp. can play a big role too.  I would hope they are going to check your levels every month until your numbers are more under control.  You should also get your T4, FT4 and FT3 if possible checked.  

Best of wishes and feel better soon.  

[sick and tired 47]

Hi! My TSH was never higher than 2.0, but my free T4,T3, were bottom range of normal and below normal. I also have an enlarged multinodular remaining thyroid lobe.

I believe my thyroid problem caused my heart issues... although the drs say my heart issue may have always been there... just surfaced because of thyroid problems.
I don't care what caused what... just want to feel better and make it all gooooooooo away, back to what I used to feel - NORMAL!!!!

Good luck to you all !!

  

[guessagain]

Thanks for responding.

I don't understand why there is so much disagreement in what the "right" TSH numbers are. My lab says it's .35 - 5.5. I've been told the new norm should be .35 - 3.00. People  are telling me they feel great at numbers of 1 - 2, mine has never been that low, the lowest being 3.84. I have been treated for a long time for chronic depression and anxiety with drs scoffing if I bring up the issue. "where did you get that information", they ask.
"The internet", I say, then I become a moron or something.

I appreciate those who respond, it helps the frustration I feel.