Hashimotos, heart arrhythmia, amenorrhea

[sara512]

Has anyone had all three of these conditions?  Can they be related?

I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and frequent PVCs (ectopic beats, over 3500 in 24 hours).  I also used to be on Yasmin for painful periods, went off it in late November and haven't had a period since (and also a lot of acne that's not normal for me).  That plus the PVCs seem more like hyperthyroid symptoms, but my TSH as of a few weeks ago is definitely hypo (over 13).

I'm currently on synthroid (100mcg) and a beta-blocker for my heart.  Haven't seen a gynecologist yet.  The heart dr. and thryoid dr. I'm seeing here (in Thailand) have no clue what could be causing the PVCs and just want to treat the symptoms.  I'd really rather not be on yet another daily pill for the rest of my life.

Is there anything else I should be tested for?  Like cortisol?  I'm just hoping that there's one condition that will link all these things together.  I'm only 26, exercise regularly, healthy weight, etc. and it is just so perplexing that I could have all these issues.  Let me know if anyone has any wisdom to share.  :)  Thanks!

[goolarra]

Neither of the posters on this thread have been active for years, so I doubt you'll get a response from them.

Did the doctor test FREE T3 and FREE T4 in addition to TSH?  If so, please post results with reference ranges that have to come from your own lab report.  

Slowed HR is a symptom of hypo, but beta receptors in the heart are very sensitive to changes in thyroid hormone levels.  So, if you already have a tendency toward something (your ten year history), hypo can exacerbate it.  

I have WPW syndrome, which is characterized by tachycardia.  This is a congenital heart defect.  Since my thyroid hormones have be adjusted properly, my WPW has been the best it's been my whole life.  So, what I'm saying is that higher thyroid hormone levels don't always correlate with increased episodes of tachycardia.

[fiddler100]

Hello all,

   I have had chronic arrhythmia and tachycardia for over ten years, spent a lot of money on cardiologists and took beta blockers for several years that never helped, the docs said that my heart is structurally fine and that they didn't know what was causing the irregular and fast beats.
  I recently have had other things going on, an intense dizziness and feeling that I am on the verge of losing consciousness and fainting - so I decided to see a thyroid doctor. She sent me off first to get some tests done, which I just got back - I haven't seen her yet since getting the tests, but I have a high TSH (not too high, 6), but my anti thyroid antibodies are really high, over 300.
  I have been reading that this is most likely hypothyroidism, and that one of the symptoms is a slow heart rate, but my heart rate is really fast and I have the arrhythmia as well...so this doesn't seem to add up.
  I thought I would add my comment here because it sounds similar to what you both have experienced....maybe the arrhythmia is caused by some other factor that doesn't have to do with the thyroid?
    I noticed that your posts were placed here quite a few years back, but I would be curious to hear how things are now, hope you are both well.

sincerely,
David

[beachnut]

Welcome.....I also have Hash. and had a total thyroidectomy approx 12 years ago. I did have a heart arrhythmia(rapid heart beat) that led to an ablation a few years ago because I had too many electrical connections(for lack of better description)but I do occasionally get the fluttering and I know it's time to see my endo. which is upcoming next week. What is so ironic for me was early on-approx 17 years-I became pregnant and the doctor was amazed because I went for months and months without a cycle.  It was my rheumatologist who actually diagnosed my thyroid along with rheumatoid arthritis six months after my daughter was born. You would of thought someone in the medical profession would have found my thyroid problem before that much time passed.

So yes, I do think there is a  connection between your thyroid and your period but I'm not comfortable with saying the same for your heart since it's nothing to mess with and I don't want to say something inappropriate or misleading.  I would get additional opinions on the cardiac issue.   FYI.  my last blood work showed my TSH to be 35! Yet, I have lost weight, diahrrea, my hands shake however I am very intolerant to cold and I have the irregular heartbeat as I mentioned earlier and my hair feels aweful.

I hope I helped and didn't confuse you.  If I failed to explain something clearly LMK and I will re-write to you.  Please get further help.  As I always say with doctors, "someone had to finish last in the class"!!! :)

good luck keep me posted.
liz