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Hypothyroidism and Heart Palpitations
Hello Everyone - I am a 34 year old female who was diagnosed about 8 months ago with hypothyroidism. Additional testing then diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My initial TSH level was 12.7, so I was I placed on 50 mcg of Levothyroxine. My TSH level is now 4.8.
I have had all of the normal hypothyroid symptoms - weight gain, muscle pain, tiredness, etc., but my biggest complaint (that doesn't fit symptoms of hypo) is heart palpitations. At their worst, I was having them for sometimes 5 - 6 hours a day. I did see a cardiologist, who did an EKG, echocardiogram, and also had me a wear an 24-hour heart monitor. After reviewing all of the tests, the cardiologist said that I had a perfectly healthy heart, and that the palpitations were most likely a result of hypothyroidism.
For the first few months after being on the Levothyroxine, I can honestly say that I did NOT feel any better. However, over the past 6 - 8 weeks, I have begun to feel more like my old self again. FINALLY, the palpitations started to subside - occurring for only 3 - 4 hours a day, then about 1 hour a day, then only a few flutters here and there. I was absolutely elated to have them gone!
Within the past week however, as soon as I woke up in the morning, I could tell I just didn't feel right. I've been having more palpitations again (an episode last night lasted for about 2 hours). It's only been a few days since the palpitations have returned, but I am scared to death that I am going to have to start dealing with them again. They make me feel awful!
I promised myself I was going to keep this as concise as possible, and looking at the above I appear to have failed. Has anyone else been diagnosed with Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism and suffering from long episodes of heart palpitations? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
I have had all of the normal hypothyroid symptoms - weight gain, muscle pain, tiredness, etc., but my biggest complaint (that doesn't fit symptoms of hypo) is heart palpitations. At their worst, I was having them for sometimes 5 - 6 hours a day. I did see a cardiologist, who did an EKG, echocardiogram, and also had me a wear an 24-hour heart monitor. After reviewing all of the tests, the cardiologist said that I had a perfectly healthy heart, and that the palpitations were most likely a result of hypothyroidism.
For the first few months after being on the Levothyroxine, I can honestly say that I did NOT feel any better. However, over the past 6 - 8 weeks, I have begun to feel more like my old self again. FINALLY, the palpitations started to subside - occurring for only 3 - 4 hours a day, then about 1 hour a day, then only a few flutters here and there. I was absolutely elated to have them gone!
Within the past week however, as soon as I woke up in the morning, I could tell I just didn't feel right. I've been having more palpitations again (an episode last night lasted for about 2 hours). It's only been a few days since the palpitations have returned, but I am scared to death that I am going to have to start dealing with them again. They make me feel awful!
I promised myself I was going to keep this as concise as possible, and looking at the above I appear to have failed. Has anyone else been diagnosed with Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism and suffering from long episodes of heart palpitations? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Just in case you don't hear from posters on this old thread, we will be glad to try and help if you will tell about any other symptoms you have and also list your thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report. Also if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well.
What other do you have other than the palpitations?
If your doctor is dosing your thyroid meds based on TSH levels, it is unlikely your levels will ever stabilize. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.
If you haven't been tested for Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3), then you should get those done and make sure they are always tested when you go in for tests. Members say that symptom relief frequently requires Free T4 at the middle of its range, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, as needed to relieve symptoms.
Further, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, you need to get those tested as well and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
If your doctor is dosing your thyroid meds based on TSH levels, it is unlikely your levels will ever stabilize. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.
If you haven't been tested for Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3), then you should get those done and make sure they are always tested when you go in for tests. Members say that symptom relief frequently requires Free T4 at the middle of its range, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, as needed to relieve symptoms.
Further, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, you need to get those tested as well and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
1 Comments
Hi at my suggestion I just had my doctor switch me from Synthroid 200mcg. to Naturethroid 195mg. because I was told by a friend that all around the Naturethroid is better. About a week ago I started having palpitations that have lasted on and off for over the entire week. Sometimes hours on end. I have mitral valve prolapse and left bundle branch block but I am on Toprol ( BB)50mg. for that. My latest labs after being on Naturethroid for about two weeks is T4, free direct 1.29ng/dl, Free Thyroxin Index 2.2, T3 uptake 30, Thyroxin (T4) 7.2 ug/dl, T3 141ng/dl and TSH .022 ulU/ml. Previous to this although I did not feel my best I had no palpitations. The blood work on the Synthroid was TSH .048, T4 9.0, T3 uptake 30 and Free Thyroxin 2.7. Thoughts?
I too have been dealing with hypothyroidism for years and can tell when my TSH levels are off. Usually I get the Palpitations (feeling of heart flutters or sipping beats) when I am on too much Levothyroxin and more on the hyper side. Last month I started with the palpitations and thought my thyroid levels were on the "hyper" side again and I was taking too much medication. I went to get levels checked and my TSH was 64. Very Hypo so my doc increased y medication from 112 to 150. I am still getting the palpitations, very frightening sometimes it is so bad I am afraid to go to sleep. I am having another holter monitor done and a stress test just to be sure no other problem and if all is negative She is going to start me on a Beta Blocker. I was taking Inderal because I had Hyperthyroid first which gave me some fast heart beat and irregular heart beats. I was given the radioactive Iodine which got rid of they Hyperthyroidsm but left me with Hypothyroidism. Yes my palpitations or flutters goes on throughout the day. I am praying that once my levels start to normalize they will go away.
I realize I am making a lot of assumptions here, without any lab test results to review, but your story is a familiar one. Palpitations can be related to low levels of thyroid hormone. Just because you are taking a good dose of T4 med does not mean that your body is adequately converting the T4 to T3 which is the hormone used by all the cells of your body. In order to find out if low Free T3 is the problem, you need to pressure your doctor to test for both Free T4 and Free T3 each time you go in for tests. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
I expect that your doctor is reducing your med because of suppressed TSH, with the mistaken belief that low TSH automatically means hyperthyroidism. That is wrong. You are hyper only if having hyper symptoms, due to excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T3.
I know how difficult it is in the UK to get tested and treated adequately. We have had a number of members from the UK. One who was finally successful in getting what she needed told us this.
"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
So when you see your doctor I suggest that you should emphasize all the symptoms you have and the need to be tested for both Free T4 and Free T3. Also mention that if your Free T3 is low in its range, then you will want to consider adding some T3 to your med. Also, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, you should push to get those tested as well.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
I expect that your doctor is reducing your med because of suppressed TSH, with the mistaken belief that low TSH automatically means hyperthyroidism. That is wrong. You are hyper only if having hyper symptoms, due to excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T3.
I know how difficult it is in the UK to get tested and treated adequately. We have had a number of members from the UK. One who was finally successful in getting what she needed told us this.
"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
So when you see your doctor I suggest that you should emphasize all the symptoms you have and the need to be tested for both Free T4 and Free T3. Also mention that if your Free T3 is low in its range, then you will want to consider adding some T3 to your med. Also, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, you should push to get those tested as well.
Hi
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in 1993 .
My diagnosis came about from having arrithmia and Palpatations which seemed a little odd at the time as the Symptoms I was having indicated me being Hyper .
So I was put on Thyroxine and tests to see why I was getting these dreadful Palpatations .
But nothing was wrong so I was put on a Fleccanide which seemed to help with the fast heart beat but not with the Palpatations .
However I am still on it today !!
So over the years my dosage of Thyroxine went up and my Palpatations eased when I was on a dosage of 175mcg I felt much better however a couple of years ago it was lowered again to 150mcg where I have been having terrible Palpatations again .
Tests again proved nothing wrong but still these dam Palpatations persist.
Next week I am due my yearly blood test so small hoping that it will go back up to 175mcg as I am convinced it's what the problem is as I am tired my joints are painful I am breathless and Palpataions getting worse .
22 years of this crap and still feel no better than I did when first diagnosed and no one listens .
But I did have a few years when I felt good and that I am convinced was down to the higher dose .
Unfortunately in the UK we don't get a choice in what we are tested for you have to try and convince the GP .
Xx
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in 1993 .
My diagnosis came about from having arrithmia and Palpatations which seemed a little odd at the time as the Symptoms I was having indicated me being Hyper .
So I was put on Thyroxine and tests to see why I was getting these dreadful Palpatations .
But nothing was wrong so I was put on a Fleccanide which seemed to help with the fast heart beat but not with the Palpatations .
However I am still on it today !!
So over the years my dosage of Thyroxine went up and my Palpatations eased when I was on a dosage of 175mcg I felt much better however a couple of years ago it was lowered again to 150mcg where I have been having terrible Palpatations again .
Tests again proved nothing wrong but still these dam Palpatations persist.
Next week I am due my yearly blood test so small hoping that it will go back up to 175mcg as I am convinced it's what the problem is as I am tired my joints are painful I am breathless and Palpataions getting worse .
22 years of this crap and still feel no better than I did when first diagnosed and no one listens .
But I did have a few years when I felt good and that I am convinced was down to the higher dose .
Unfortunately in the UK we don't get a choice in what we are tested for you have to try and convince the GP .
Xx
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