Updated labs and breathing symptom..

[1Kel12]

Hello!

My recent labs seem to look good, I am feeling better, and didn't drop "off the cliff" with this increase so I had a feeling my labs would be better. Its been 7 weeks or so on 2.25 grains.

FT4 1.4 (0.8-1.8)
FT3 3.8 (2.3-4.2)

My symptoms are better for sure, my hair loss has slowed but is still occurring. Generally I feel very decent but not "normal" yet. My doc said I could try increasing another 1/4 to 2.5 grains.

Given my labs I am debating whether it is best to stay on this dose for several months or increase a bit. My labs seem good based on guidelines. My stomach/hair stuff continues but I assume it won't resolve immediately and may just take time now that I have decent hormone levels?

One odd new symptom...my heart feels like it is pounding "hard" sometimes and I feel a bit short of breath (not always at the same time), but when I check my heart rate it is higher than before but not abnormal (60-70's) and my bp is low still. So no real "issue" just a feeling. Any ideas on what the heck this is or does it go away?

I did endurance sports and I am praying I can get back to it, I have tried getting my heart rate up and it is fine when I do, no palps etc. the weird heart/breathing usually happens when I am just setting around.

Any advice/experience would be appreciated! Kel

[Barb135]

I'm not sure what happened there, but my original post showed up after I posted my shorter comments - weird things are taking place, sometimes these days with some posts, but at least it all got in here...

Since you've been on the vitamin D for a while, you should try to get your levels tested again to see if they've come up to the optimal level.  Most of us do well on 1000-2000 IU/day, but levels need to be checked periodically.

Yes, I do know the feeling you're having, quite well.  The pounding I had started when my levels began coming up to normal and sometimes it felt like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest.  Also when my heart rate started coming into the normal range, it felt like it was really racing, but it was usually really only in the mid to upper 60's.  The problem was that when I was really hypo, my heart rate had gone "so" low (into the 30's when I slept and 40's/50's during the day) that it took time to get used to having it in the normal range.  When that happens, it's almost impossible not to have "some" anxiety, which can make it a bit worse.

Both, the pounding and rapid feeling were so bothersome for me, I had to go on a beta blocker for a while in order to tolerate it and help bring my blood pressure down.   I've been off the beta blocker for about 4 yrs now.

If you continue to have issues, you may have to, either lower your dosage since your levels are relatively high or ask your doctor for a beta blocker.

[1Kel12]

Thanks so much for the details, that alone helps. Your description makes me think I may not be used to "normal". Recently I've had reason to suspect I've been undiagnosed hypo for years.
Thanks for the suggestions too. Best, Kel

[1Kel12]

D was before supplementing. Sounds like you know the feeling, maybe it is just adjusting to normal thyroid levels. I wanted to check just in case I was missing a possible cause.
Thanks again, Kel

[Barb135]

I thought I posted on this once and I hate to sound like I'm stuttering, so I'll post this and see if my original comments post...

[Barb135]

I had the pounding for quite some time... I didn't think it was anxiety, either.  It should go away as you get used to the higher thyroid hormone levels, which can take some time, since you're used to be hypo... If it doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it worsens, you should talk to your doctor.

Is that vitamin D level before supplementing or after supplementing for a few months?

[1Kel12]

My b12 is 2000 (200-1100) due to injections, it is expected to come down, vitamin d was 32 (30-100 ng/ml) and I have been supplementing for a few months. the feeling isn't anxiety, I am actually calmer now, I feel more like myself so to speak. I have no heart problems so I,m not worried about that, just trying to figure out if this sensation is normal, goes away, means something?
Thanks, kel

[Barb135]

How long have you been at your current dosage?  

I think, if I were you, I might hold there for a while, since your FT4 is at 60%, which is high of the recommended 50% and your FT3 is already at 80%, which is definitely in the upper third of its range.  If you increase your dosage, you risk tipping the scale the other direction and going hyper...

Your heart rate at 60-70 is very much normal... it probably feels funny because when we're hypo, our heart rate tends to slow down, so when we're no long hypo and it goes back to normal, it can feel like it's racing.  

The pounding could be an anxiety thing, but if it gets too bad, you should mention it to your doctor.  

What are your exact B-12 and vitamin D levels?  

[1Kel12]

Perhaps I should add, I have vitamin deficiencies, B12 is now good, D3 is tbd but I've been supplementing for a few months now and I am still working on my ferritin which was 43 (aiming for 70-90)

Thanks