Heart Palpitations - Irregular heartbeat

[Anna60]

Hi - I have been reading some of the questions on this web site - it's such a relief to read that there's other folks with these awful scary heart palpitations.  I've just been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism - it all started with heart palpitations, I was starting to think I had a heart problem.  Doctor took bloods and ECG, said heart was fine - thyroid was normal to low - it took him ages to give me Levothyroxine, I started off taking 50 mcg now it's been put up to 75 mcg - heart palpitations are less frequent, but I'm easily tired.  I seem to have gone from a really fit person, that enjoyed hill walking, dancing and gardening - to this,  every time I dance or walk up a hill, the palpitations start - I keep thinking that I'm really fine today, then all of a sudden these palpitations start again,  it's so scary!!  Anyway thanks for this web site, it's so comforting to know that I'm not alone!!!  Do you think that these palpitations or irregular heart beat has all to do with Hypothyroidism?  I've also been put onto Propranolol for the irregular heartbeat - This is all so new to me taking medication - I never used to take anything other than vitamins and healthy diet!!

[Anna60]

Thank you so much for your reply, it's so good to talk to someone else who understands what we're going through.  I have good days and not so good days - on the good days I feel very positive and upbeat. Yes you're right I too need to learn to move more slowly!!

Anyway I wish you well - will keep in touch.....

[goolarra]

Heart palpitations are a very common complaint with thyroid disease.  They can be caused both from being hypo or hyper.  They an be caused by overmedication (for hypo) or increasing the dose too rapidly or starting at too high a dose.  I have a congenital heart defect that makes me susceptible to tachycardia/palpitations.  It was totally under control without meds until I started on levo.

I'm with both of you as far as taking meds is concerned...can't remember the last time I took an antibiotic, and it's only been once or twice since childhood (Mom was making the decisions then).  Once on levo, there was simply no way to control my arrhythmia without a beta blocker (propranolol is a beta blocker).  Be aware that as you increase your levo, you will most likely have to increase the beta blocker also.  

You also might try increasing more slowly.  50 mcg to 75 mcg doesn't sound like a lot, but it's a 50% increase.  You might try alternating 50/75 on consecutive days for a couple of weeks to give your body a chance to get used to the added hormone.  If you're feeling okay after two weeks, you can themnmove up to the 75 every day.  If that doesn't work, you might ask your doctor to increase the beta blocker dose.  You can always try cutting back on it after your body has had time to acclimate to the increase.

I've dreaded every increase I've made...always gets "interesting".  I've just learned to move very slowly.  Baby steps...