Hypo/Hashimotos and racing heart

[Newbee2000]

Hi, I was diagnosed with hashimoto's hypo thyroid in April.  My tsh is now down to 5.3 (from 11). I'm taking 75 mcg of synthroid. Shortly after my diagnosis I noticed that whenever I'd lie down in bed, my heart would start to beat faster and harder than normal. I've also noticed that if I'm asleep (and motionless) and then wake up and begin to move, the movement causes my heart to beat rather hard and fast!  Is this a symptom of the hashimoto's or hypothyroid?  I'm female 40, and have never been diagnosed with heart problems (at least not yet).  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is not a typical symptom of hashi/hypo (with or without treatment) - but can happen for unclear reasons.  Checking the heart out is recommended, but at this age it's usually normal.  

I usually try to get the TSH to around 1.0 to see if that helps, but it's variable from patient to patient.  Some patients do best with higher TSH around 4-6 with these types of symptoms.  Some need heart medication to control the pounding.

[sporter64]

I am 43, female, diagnosed with hypothyroidism in April-- my last TSH was 4.3. I am on 50mcg of Synthroid-- I started at 25 mcg in April, and late June started 50mcg--anyway, I have the same symptoms as you talk about. I sometimes notice just setting on the couch that my heart will be racing, it stops on its own, or I "bear down" for a few seconds and it stops---I notice it sometimes at night too when I wake up. And just as you described when I am laying down motionless, and get up to do something, my heart beats very fast for a few minutes. I don't know if I am hashimoto's or not. My NP thinks I am, but I see the Endo in about 10 days and she will prob run more tests. I am also hopeful that she will increase my synthroid just a little bit. I do feel lots better, but think I have room to go. Oh, I forgot to mention my NP tested my heart with lots of tests and bloodwork etc-- and sent me to a cardiologist, and they said I was fine. The cardiologist said as my synthroid is increased I may need or feel more comfortable taking something to slow my pulse down a bit-- but he said it would probably just go away once I got used to the synthroid and my TSH got more normal. Steph

[Newbee2000]

Hi sporter64, thank you so much for your post!! My heart racing/pounding symptoms aren't as intense as when my tsh was 11, buts still occur as I said when I'm in bed and go from motionless to movement. I'm guessing mine it's just another "wonderful" hypo/hashi symptom. Thanks, again!!

[Newbee2000]

Forgot to mention, that my heart racing has improved somewhat since tsh dropped down to 5.3 from 11, but it still happen sometimes when I lay down and/or go from being still for a very long period of time to moving. Wondering if this is hypo/hasi symptom?