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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Amiodarone toxicity hyperthyroid
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Amiodarone toxicity hyperthyroid
by shady grove, Nov 29, 2006 12:00AM
I'm a 56yr, Cauc, male. I was taking Amiodarone (200mg) for 4 years for chronic AFib/CHF. Amiodarone induced hypertyhroid was diagnosed June 06 (TSH=.03)and Amiodarone was discontinued. My Endocrinologist recommended doing nothing and letting thyroid return to normal with periodic monitoring. He did Rx Ambien (10mg) so I can sleep. After discontinuing Amiodarone my condition worsened and I'm also mild-mod V.Fib with EF:<20%. I had an ICD implant 8/06. My current TSH=.3. Electrophysiologist wants to rebalance thyroid to normal limits to reduce arrythmia and as prep for pv & atril ablation. Any recommendations for safe and effective treatment? Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Dec 03, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 03, 2006 12:00AM
Tough situation. Without the amiodarone, your heart rhythm problems are worse. With amiodarone, you are more hyperthyroid - which will worsen cardiac condition.
Thyroid surgery would be the quickest solution, but the risk of anesthesia with your heart condition are too high. Also, the hyperthyroidism (by numbers) is not that severe at this point.
Now that you have been off amio for a few months, I would do an I-123 uptake and consider ablating the thyroid with I-131 IF there is any uptake. This option may be best if there is a plan to need amiodarone again in the future. The warning here is that sometimes the thyroid gets a little worse before it gets better - so coreg or betapace or similiar heart meds would need to be titrated appropriately to protect you.
Alternatively, and most simply, could try Tapazole to normalize the thyroid prior to ICD placement. This is the most attractive option IF amiodarone is not going to be restarted as it would be a short-term use of Tapazole.
Thyroid surgery would be the quickest solution, but the risk of anesthesia with your heart condition are too high. Also, the hyperthyroidism (by numbers) is not that severe at this point.
Now that you have been off amio for a few months, I would do an I-123 uptake and consider ablating the thyroid with I-131 IF there is any uptake. This option may be best if there is a plan to need amiodarone again in the future. The warning here is that sometimes the thyroid gets a little worse before it gets better - so coreg or betapace or similiar heart meds would need to be titrated appropriately to protect you.
Alternatively, and most simply, could try Tapazole to normalize the thyroid prior to ICD placement. This is the most attractive option IF amiodarone is not going to be restarted as it would be a short-term use of Tapazole.
