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Tachycardia and TSH levels fluctuate
by Khitchin, Nov 09, 2009 08:17PM
Hi, everyone - I would really appreciate your thoughts!
I am a 24-year-old female and have been experiencing many symptoms for the past couple of years, the most disconcerting of which are sleep problems, weight gain, anxiety/depression, memory loss, and profuse sweating. I recently learned that I have been in tachycardia, which would explain the sudden sweating and heat intolerance. It has been a month now since I realized that I've been above average (my resting bpm is about 100 and escalates up to 170 with casual walking). All of my ECGs and echocardiograms showed no congenital defects and 71% pumping volume. I am scheduled to see an electrocardiologist in three weeks.
I went to the ER a few weeks ago and had a TSH of 8.55 with 0.8 total T3 and 2.8 free T4. One week after my ER visit, I saw an endocrinologist who tested TSH, T3, and TPO-antibodies. TSH had dropped to 1.75 and free T3 was "normal," and TPOab was <35. We are currently awaiting test results for TSI-antibodies, celiac disease (for persistent digestive problems), and pheochromocytomas. If there is no cause for my symptoms found of these tests, my endocrinologist doesn't know what to do.
Aside from lab error, what would cause my TSH to fluctuate so widely (8.55 to 1.75) within just one week?
In terms of endocrinology, is there any other avenue to explore to explain the majority of my symptoms, but primarily the tachycardia?
Could the pituitary, hypothalamus, or HPT axis be to blame for this?
I am a 24-year-old female and have been experiencing many symptoms for the past couple of years, the most disconcerting of which are sleep problems, weight gain, anxiety/depression, memory loss, and profuse sweating. I recently learned that I have been in tachycardia, which would explain the sudden sweating and heat intolerance. It has been a month now since I realized that I've been above average (my resting bpm is about 100 and escalates up to 170 with casual walking). All of my ECGs and echocardiograms showed no congenital defects and 71% pumping volume. I am scheduled to see an electrocardiologist in three weeks.
I went to the ER a few weeks ago and had a TSH of 8.55 with 0.8 total T3 and 2.8 free T4. One week after my ER visit, I saw an endocrinologist who tested TSH, T3, and TPO-antibodies. TSH had dropped to 1.75 and free T3 was "normal," and TPOab was <35. We are currently awaiting test results for TSI-antibodies, celiac disease (for persistent digestive problems), and pheochromocytomas. If there is no cause for my symptoms found of these tests, my endocrinologist doesn't know what to do.
Aside from lab error, what would cause my TSH to fluctuate so widely (8.55 to 1.75) within just one week?
In terms of endocrinology, is there any other avenue to explore to explain the majority of my symptoms, but primarily the tachycardia?
Could the pituitary, hypothalamus, or HPT axis be to blame for this?
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The thyroid/endocrine system plays many roles, and the pituitary and adrenal glands work together here as well, but from what I've read, it's rare that your symptoms would be coming from pituitary or adrenal issues, but if your doctor will check them, it's better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.
Good luck...hopefully all your tests come back soon and your doctor can get you adjusted correctly!
Hypothyroid with hashitoxicosis seems to be the best fit, especially considering that it runs rampant in the women of my family. But my endo said he doesn't think there's anything wrong with my thyroid. I have read that patients with both Graves and Hashimoto's have to continuously change their medications on their own based on whichever symptoms they experience at different times. I hope you can determine how to alter your own medicines!
If my symptoms can't be explained by my endocrinologist, I have to see the electrophysiologist for possible diagnosis of an autonomic disorder. It seems that Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia is a possible explanation, though the treatment (catheter ablation) is a little scary. In a way, I would like to have some antibodies - just for a little resolution and so that I don't have to see the electrophysiologist!
I will keep you posted on how the labs come out - thanks again for your help
The hardest thing about having these symptoms with negative and contradictory thyroid tests is that I feel that much closer to the endo telling me there's nothing wrong. I already get the impression from my friends that they think I am overreacting, or that that I'm chasing diagnoses. Thanks for giving insight to what could possibly be wrong. I will let you know how my tests come out!
My doctor's nurse just called and said that my test results were normal for pheochromocytoma, Hashi/Graves, and celiac. Looks like my only other option is the EP. I've also read that tachycardia can be caused by sleep apnea, (which my dad has) though I'm not sure if this can cause prolonged daytime tachycardia.
Worth thinking about.