I'm scared

[trouble10]

I've tried talking to the doc, but he doesn't understand what I'm trying to ask. I have hashimoto's thyroiditis, and the thing that bothers me most is my heart. Sometimes when I stand up my heart rate goes way up and I start sweating. When does that become dangerous? When do you know the difference between anxiety and a heart attack? Does anyone have this problem?

[patient-x]

Hi again

I have Graves sometimes Hyper or Hypo...lost track of which & when.

I go through phases of symptoms.

One of the symptoms I have...when I think I am Hyper?... is  exactly as you described (I think I have said before in a previous post, somewhere).
Like you said I only have to stand up...or any slight exertion...turning over in bed, slight anger, laughing, picking up someting etc...and I get a real hot sweat, I go bright red all over & my heart races.

I mentioned to my Doc (who like everything I say) he dismissed as not thyroid related, although I KNOW it is.

I said to my GP that as hyper can affect heartetc this scares me...she said, I am on antithyroid so am not actually hyper as being treated for it.

I have no good advice....sorry...wish I did.

But at least I know now its not just me now.

Hope you dont mind me asking a personal question...but are you going through the menopause?
I had mine12 years ago but until 2 years ago was on HRT, so people have suggested to me this is the menopause...although I dont agree

[trouble10]

No, at least I don't think so. I'm 34. I hate the fact that they're treating me for panic anxiety instead of thyroid. I was under the impression that my symptoms would go away when my ths levels went down.  If I didn't get tachichardic when I stood up I don't think I'd have anxiety, but they insist that I have anxiety therefore my heart races.Which came first, the chicken or the egg? All I can say is this just terrifies me. Thanx for answering. Love...

[pjgovitz]

are you just starting on thyroid meds? it may take some time for the symptoms to go away, and sometimes it takes a bit for the body to adjust to the meds...but make sure you you've had your heart checked to rule out anything else. I have hashi's/graves both and it can effect your heart rate...and of course the sweating, but make sure there's nothing else going on before blaming iy all on thyroid issues, thankfully ine was thyroid issues, and it does give you a peace of mind after the heart checks out ok..

[pjgovitz]

oh, also some of the anti-anxiety meds can cause heart palips....the one I was on did for me.

[pjgovitz]

oh, also some of the anti-anxiety meds can cause heart palips....the one I was on did for me.

[kitcurious]

If you are concerned about your heart see a cardiologist. It's not likely the thyroid. Generally being hypo tends to slow you down, not speed you up.
It probably is anxiety, but see a cardiologist to assure you.
Generally, if you have a structurally normal heart and no unusual electrical situation, it isn't likely to hurt you even if it does speed up from time to time.

[Newbee2000]

For what it's worth, I have hashi hypo and have heart palps!! I have no anxiety or stress!!!  My tsh just got down to 1 and I'm still having palps when I lay down, though they are definitely IMPROVING and no where near as intense or frequent as when my tsh was high!! When my tsh was high I used to have palps in the middle of the night while I was in bed (asleep) if I'd move, even a little like to adjust the blanket, I'd have intense palps or a pounding, racing heart for a several seconds. A FEW other hashi hypos here have posted the same symptom!!!!  While it's not a common symptoms, other hashi hypos here have also stating having it. Fortunatley, my palps have recently began to improve now that my tsh is down to 1 since mid- Sept., but they have stopped...yet.   Endo MD told me hypos can also have heart palps.  My heart beat is regular, no high blood pressure, etc.  HOWEVER, I agree with the other poster used suggested that  you see another MD (primary care or endocrinologist) or as last resort a cardiologist  if you're concerned, to make sure there isn't another medical cause for your heart palps!!! The only other med I've taken beside synthroid is prevacid for gerd/heartburn which does NOT cause heart palps. My palps began before I started the synthroid, so I know synth is not the cause.  I'm 41 female.  FYI. I've also had LOTS of frustration w/ endocrinologists explaining and understanding symptoms - that are OBVIOUSLY from hashi hypo, so you're not alone there!  And I've taken a million tests, scnas, etc so I know nothing else is wrong with me. -- Are you taking synthroid or another thyroid med? What's your tsh?? Do you take any other meds?  -- As I said, I have hashi hypo and NO stress, and have had heart palps than began shortly before my dx in April '07. Best wishes!!

[trouble10]

I've been on 100 mcg levo for a year and they just recently raised me to 112. I began having panic attacks so bad that I had to quit my job. That was almost two months ago. The doc gave me ativan. My chest hurt so bad (they say from anxiety) that they gave me paxil a month ago. How long should I wait until I'm pretty sure they need to try something else?

[skymax2000]

I saw a cardiologist about my heart pounding. Trazadone was aggravating it but was not the cause. Neither was my thyroid or Graves, according to him. I have tachychardia and something else (can't remember). Cardiologist said it wouldn't kill me or give me a heart attack and knowing that gave me alot of relief. He said I could take medication, have minor surgery to fix it, or do nothing. I've chosen to do nothing. Now when I feel my heart pounding, I just give myself a break.

[kitcurious]

Heart palps are very common to all people. All a palpitation means is an unusual awareness of your heartbeat. Therefore it is not likely the hashis itself that is causing it and being very aware of the heartbeat is, in fact, a sign of anxiety. That said, any person who is very concerned about their heartbeat should have a heart monitor, a 48-hour Holter, or an event monitor. You keep a diary with it and they will correlate the event on the monitor with when you state your symptoms occur.
If you heart is structurally normal (and you are not medically induced hyperthyroid which is med-based not disease based) your palps are likely totally harmless. A lot GP's can do a Holter monitor for you. It's better than wondering and supposing.Good luck.

[Newbee2000]

I started getting heart palps just before my hashi hypo dx. I'd never had them prior to that, not even during stressful periods of my life (like when a family member was seriously ill, etc) My palps decreased significantly as my tsh number started coming down! So, I'm pretty sure mine were caused by thyroid disease. Endo MD told me being hypo can cause palps, also said many people just have palps. But, I agree w/ your comment that anyone concerned speak to MD about monitor and heart tests.

[sprinkle86]

you made a comment about if you are not medically induced hyper on the heart palps. what if you are? my doc won't listen i'm trying to get another doc to look at my file. he has me on four times the correct dose of meds because he didn't look up the conversion for levo to armour. i'm having heart palps several times a day. i should be on 60mg of armour and he has me on 150mg.

[sprinkle86]

sorry, that was supposed to be he HAS had me on four times the correct dose but now i'm on 150mg but should be 60mg.