? for Hyperthyroid Patients with Heart Issues

[chel 81]

This is a question for those of you who were hyperthyroid and developed heart problems from it. I have been hypothyroid since 2001 after a case of mono. It took 3 years for a proper dx but in 2004 I began thyroid meds. I did well until mid 2007 when life's stresses became too much and I relapsed with another case of mono. Unfortunately though my docs didn't realize it was mono until the end of 2008 and instead due to my overwhelming hypothyroid symptoms (caused actually by my mono- not so much by my thyroid) they treated my thyroid instead. Basically I ended up at a dose 3x's what was my therapeutic dose before. I continued to have the hypothyroid symptoms (because it was from the mono so of course the thyroid meds didn't help) but with such a massive overdose my heart definitely suffered. I became overly anxious, my resting heart rate ranged from 2-4 times my normal (normally 53 BPM, became 100-200 BPM), I started getting skipped heart beats & double heart beats, and my breathing became difficult (although we think this is more because of the synthetic thyroid that I was switched over to that we have since found out I am allergic to- can only take natural). Anyways after finding out it was mono and not my thyroid we slowly reduced my meds and today I am just barely over my original dose yet I continue to have heart problems. My resting heart rate is greatly reduced and averages around 62-70 BPM which is good, but I still have skipped heart beats & double heart beats even though it's been over 6 months since I was overdosed.
My question is that for those of you who suffered from hyperthyroidism and developed similar heart problems- did they go away once you were treated for the hyperthyroidism? Do you still suffer some of the effects that the excess thyroid caused? If you've seen a cardiologist what type of damage could be done from long term overdose (whether medication induced or from the body)? I've got an appointment with a cardiologist next month (first appt I could get) but wonder if I could have done a lot of permanent damage to my heart from being so overdosed or if the heart is strong enough to make a full recovery and I should be okay and not worry so much. I'm a runner (when I don't have mono) and as soon as I'm better am dying to get back into it and would hate to think I will end up with permanent heart damage all because not 1, not 2, but 5 doctors refused to test for mono when I kept telling each one of them I felt EXACTLY the way I did back in 2001 when I got mono the first time. I'm only 27 and I just want my life back.
Thank you to anyone who can give some advice,
Chel

[Smilerdeb]

I was born with a heart murmur , bradycardia and tachycardia (irregular heartbeart- too fast, too slow) from Rheumatic Fever.
As you can imagine...I have had yearly checkups and all have come back with the murmur being classified as 'innocent'.
I suspected I have had Graves Disease for many years as I suffered a Cardiac Infarction (heart attack) in 1994 due to severe stress from the death of my husband.
I look back now and know I had hyperthyroidism in 1985 and now wonder whether the heart attack was in actual fact..thyroid storm.
In 2007 I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease which after 12 months of anti-thyroid meds was still uncontrollable.
I had RAI done but before I had RAI done, it was picked up by Doppler Ultrasound that I also had prolapse of the tricuspid, Mitral and Pulmonary valves...basically a weakening of the valves.
This has caused me no problems but it has been suggested that it couldve been from the severe anxiety and panic I suffered with whist hyper.
I have been assured that the condition may not worsten and that also age does this too...to the valves.

I am no Cardio and no Doctor and I honestly think the palps you are feeling are thyroid related by not being on stable levels.
I have had no palps since RAI in June 2008 until last week when due to severe stress over the past 3 months has caused me to go hyper.
I think the hyper state causes the palsp and I wouldnt be too worried about the condition of your heart.
Prolonged Hyper can cause heart muscle damage but mine has been checked quite a few times and is ok.

If you are worried in any way ...ask the Cardio if a "Doppler Ultrasound" can be done on the heart.
This is a normal ultrasound but using color image to check blood flow, oxygen levels, valves etc.......
It does take about an hour to get this done but it the most precise Ultrasound you could have done to put yr mind at ease.
I have had another one done 2 months ago and there was no change from when I had one done while going through thyroid storm prior to RAI.

Any sort of overmedication of T3 and T4 will cause Palpitations and fast heartrate....
Up until a week ago....my levels were stable and I had no palps at all.
Since stopping the T4 for 4 days and then resuming the T4...I have had no palps at all and even though I am borderline Hypo at present, I feel good.

I hope that sets your minds at ease..