Why is my pulse so high when my thyroid hormones are normal and I have a nodule?

[neubi]

I am 34 now and I have been feeling stress, low and tired for 2 years now.  I started having big difficulties sleeping about  6 months ago and went to my GP to ask for help. He put me on antidepressants which made me sleep better, but I still felt tired and low. I was also referred to a counsellor, who told me that it’s common for people who worked on their carreer for many years to suddenly feel this way. On a follow up visit 6 weeks later I questioned the medication as it didn’t seem to improve my overall health. He changed my medication to a different antidepressant and said it would take at least 6 weeks for them to work. I also mentioned that I have the feeling of a pill being stucked in my throat. I asked if it could have anything to do with my thyroid and got a blood test done. I haven’t seen the results of the blood test, but he ensured me that the hormone levels were all normal. I did a little research and found that you can indeed have an enlarged thyroid without the hormone levels being affected. So I asked for an examination of my thyroid size which he couldn’t do and referred me to an endocrinologist. Weeks of waiting for the appointment seem to go along with an increased pressure inside my throat.  The endocrinologist, did another blood test, but couldn’t feel an enlarged thyroid causing any problems. So I went to get an ultrasound done. Whereas the blood test came back again all normal, the ultrasound found a normal thyroid size, but nodules.  One of the nodules is around 4.5cm big and I have apparently two of them. So the next thing my endocrinologist ordered was to get a biopsy done. This means a long time waiting again. Another symptom that I have so far not brought in connection to the thyroid is heart palpitations. I feel them several times a day. I’m a relatively sporty person and did a Triathlon a few weeks back which was so uncomfortable due to the heart palpitations that I have nearly not done any sports since then. I thought I wait until I get my thyroid problems sorted as the pressure in the throat seems to affect my breathing.  Today I felt the heart palpitation and measured my blood pressure as I was curious. My blood pressure was ok (100/77), but then my pulse was shown as it does that automatically and came up with 146. I usually have a pulse of 52-58 and thought the instrument was faulty. I did it again and got a friend to use it. The shocking result is that my pulse is nearly three times what I usually have and the instrument is showing a normal pulse with my friend. Is this something that can be related to my thyroid nodules? And if so how could that be when my hormone levels are normal?
I have another appointment in a month time and will bring it up with my doctor, but I’m curious to hear if anybody else has experienced heart palpitations caused by a thyroid nodule.
Thank you in advance

[neubi]

Thanks so much, it really does help to read your replies.
I take antidepressants (Citalopram) which could also cause the palpitations. I didn’t want to stop taking them although I don’t see any beneficial effect. I just thought I don’t want to feel any worse than I already do. Looking around in this forum and reading your replies I’m doubting that my serotonin level has anything to do with how I feel and I will certainly have to discuss with my doc if it wouldn’t be better to stop taking them. This has been so helpful, thank you all for your replies. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that the biopsy will be useful and hopefully whatever is growing in my throat can be removed quickly – well as quickly as our health system permits.
  

[underinformed35]

I definitely think that my thyroid problems contribute to my heart issues. I recently had to get a pacemaker. I am 37 with a pacemaker! I also have palpitations a lot even when my blood tests show normal for thyroid. So I think that they are related even though the doctors say not if your blood tests are normal.

[RLKMCD]

I had a similar problem; one doctor said one thing (There was nothing wrong with me.) another said something else, ( It was stress and I needed anti-depressants.) neither of them were actually helping the problem. I went to another doctor; he did some blood tests and an ultrasound of my thyriod then put me on levothyroxine.Within a few weeks I started feeling normal again. I also began losing weight and my hair startee growing back. So, the answer might be as simple as getting another doctor to look at the situation. Fresh eyes sometimes see what others miss. It makes sense. If your auto mechanic is working on your transmission instead of fixing your flat tire, you get another mechanic. If your doctors are making recommendations that aren't working maybe you just need another doctor.

[dawnangela]

Oh and yes ive prob had my nodual that long as well..but was told im just a bad anxiety person..you no your a woman grrr..its 11mm..getting biopsied in three weeks, another aggravation that takes so  long..sorry im just so over the medical profession now..

[dawnangela]

I have had palpitations for around 25 years now..took this long to dx my thyroid prob..even now on thyroxine i still have them, im figuring ill be OK as im still here after all this time, but they drive me crazy as:)  Dawn.

[alphabetsoup]

Yes, higher pulse rate can be attributed to thyroid. I find that mine rises when my thyroid appears to be acting up (even tho my doctors do not agree). Nodules that large in a normal sized thyroid seems like they WOULD definitely be causing some sort of problem. My nodule is only 3cm and the right side of my thyroid is about double the side of the left and the nodule takes up all of the space...this makes me think that with a nodule of 4.5cm your thyroid HAS to be enlarged.

The FNA will tell you alot of what is going on for the moment, so try to hang in there. In the meantime, welcome to the club! *hug* You aren't alone in the frustration and being fobbed off as 'anxiety' or 'depression' I have my doc constantly telling me both of those, but my husband is a licensed psychologist and disagrees wholeheartedly, since he sees me all of the time and only sees a woman who is short of breath, has wonky pulse and palpitations, and gets tired easily.

hang in there and keep fighting! :)