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687079 tn?1230948612

palpitations and rapid heart beat with hypothyroid?

hi, my tsh is low normal and my t4 is very low at .54 - i have been getting sudden onsets of a rapid heart beat and lots of palpitations - i am not hashis or graves, endo is still trying to figure out why i am hypo at all..... i am on synthroid 50mcg. these symptoms are not any worse than before i started the medicine so thats not it...i am wondering if anyone else has had these rapid heart rates and palpitations with hypo? also i get really crabby all of a sudden when i get this,  my heart checks out fine at the cardiologist and endo says hypo dont cause heart palps ...
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Avatar universal
I get them but not everyday. Sometimes.
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Avatar universal
I had really bad PVCs when I was hypo (they were so bad that would wake me up at night and wouldn't let me sleep). My test results were "normal" but my FT3 was borderline low and my TSH was over 3. The PVCs seemed to have been caused by slow heart rate and hormone imbalances (I would get them every single month around the same time for about a week). The PVCs went away a couple of months after I was put on thyroid medication.

I used to get tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) but it mainly happened when I was dehydrated. I never had this problem before my thyroid issues started. I drink lots of lots of fluids so this barely happens anymore (please make sure not to drink too much if you attempt this, because water intoxication can kill you).
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Avatar universal
READ THIS FOR RAPID HEART BEAT AND HYPOTHYROID:  "What few understand is that a fast heart rate can also result when someone is severely hypothyroid. If neither the doctor nor patient understands this, then a patient presenting with a fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and anxiety may incorrectly receive a hyperthyroid diagnosis, when they are actually severely hypothyroid.

"They may be prescribed beta blockers for their blood pressure and benzodiazepines for their anxiety, when what they really need is thyroid hormone. The adrenal glands secrete noradrenaline to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone, and noradrenaline raises the heart rate. Unfortunately, it’s hard to secrete just a little noradrenaline, so the heart rate becomes elevated, blood pressure rises, and the person feels anxious. TSH may be normal, but low Free T3 and Free T4 levels and a low body temperature confirm the hypothyroid state.

"My heart rate was 100 bpm (beats per minute) and blood pressure 170/100 when I was only taking ½ grain of desiccated thyroid. Raising my dose brought everything back into the normal range..." MORE HERE:  http://www.tiredthyroid.com/blog/2014/08/05/a-fast-heart-rate-occurs-when-hypothyroid-or-hyperthyroid/

I have low T4 and all symptoms of hypothyroid yet rapid heart beat, high exicitability, anxiety, and even internal shaking:  NORADRENALINE!!!  And doctors for my last 5 blood tests have been missing this and always so "shocked" that i am NOT hyperthyoid and only run the THS test.  It wasn't until I went myself to a lab and ordered the full thyroid panel and paid for it myself that I found out.  Ugh!!!  Get your own tests full thyroid panel if your doc only orders the TSH because that did NOT show mine.  It was my T3 and T4 that were low - my TSH was normal range.
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3 Comments
Here's a link where you can get all the 5 thyroid tests for $88 (you would use a local lab by you to draw the blood). https://www.ultalabtests.com/thyroidpharmacist/Item/Item/TP-Root-Cause-Thyroid-Panel-2

Good article here about how NOT to just get the TSH test but all FIVE the entire panel:
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-6-thyroid-tests/
oops!  sorry, here's the direct link to the 5 tests:
https://www.ultalabtests.com/thyroidpharmacist/Item/Item/TP-Root-Cause-Thyroid-Panel-2
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
What's the reference range for the T4?  Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Also, is that Free T4 or Total T4?  They aren't the same test, so it should specify on the report. If it doesn't say Free T4, then it's Total T4, which is considered outdated.

I assume that you've been tested for antibodies, to know that you don't have, either, Hashimoto's?  Graves Disease is associated only with hyperthyroidism, so would not be a consideration with hypothyroidism.

Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?  Some people without antibodies are diagnosed with Hashimoto's, based on characteristics of the thyroid, determined during ultrasound.

All of that said, rapid heart beat and palpitations are often symptoms of hypothyroidism, though most people, including doctors consider them only as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. I had them both very bad when I was at my most hypo and had to be on a beta blocker for a while to get rid of them.  Anxiety was a big contributor to them.  That also resulted in anti-anxiety med for a couple of years, but I've been off the beta blocker for over 5 years and the anti-anxiety med for over 4 years, so neither has to be permanent.

Those particular symptoms went away when my thyroid hormone levels got up closer to where I needed them.

Your doctors are wrong when they say these can't be symptoms of being hypo.
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Avatar universal
I'm suffering from thyroiditis now. I still have to undergo scanning to know the exact problem in my thyroid. In the meantime, I have to take tyrenol and some steroids prescribed by my endo. I took the prescription once today. But I suddenly had palpitations and still up to this moment. It's been almost 4 hours already that my heart is pounding really hard and I can really feel it all over my chest. But there's no pain, thankfully. I was just checked in the emergency and to my relief, the doctor said that my heart was okay. However, I feel like there's a drum being hammered inside my chest. It's debilitating. This is the worst palpitation I have ever had. I will share more about my condition once I get the results. Be well.
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Avatar universal
I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism, by my PCP. I will not be able to see the Endocrinologist for another 6 weeks, so I can't give you my numbers.  I have every symptom listed for hypothyroidism, however my heart rate is a steady 140.  Even though I'm a classic Hypo patient,  my heart is running wide open.  I was put on a Beta Blocker last week and I already feel much better.  I hope someone can explain why my heart rate is sooo high, when everything else is slow???
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Avatar universal
This is a very old, long thread.  It would be best if your started your own new thread where we can address your individual concerns.

When you start your thread (Post a Question at the top of the page), please provide lab results with reference ranges for your thyroid tests as they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report.

Tell us how long you've been on NT.  Were you on other thyroid meds previously?  

It will get better once you optimize your thyroid meds for YOU.  Just being "in range" on tests isn't enough; you have to be where you feel best and where your symptoms are resolved.
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Avatar universal
I AM REALLY CONFUSED WITH MY BODY NOW. I DO KNOW I AM NOT ALONE THOUGH. I WAS HAVING RAPID HEARTBEAT BEFORE I STARTED THE NATURE THROID. I HAVE HEADACHES MORE OFTEN NOW AND IT FEELS MORE LIKE PRESSURE. I SO WANT TO CHANGE MY LIFESTYLE. I DONT HAVE ANY ENERGY OR MOJO TO EXERCISE. MY RAPID HEARTBEATS ARE FREAKING ME OUT! I AM HYPO. TIME TO SCHEDULE FOR BLOODWORK. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH MY BODY. MY BODY FEELS RUN DOWN AND AGED TO THE MAX. THE HOT FLASHES AND NIGHT SWEATS ARE AGGRAVATING! WILL THIS GET BETTER AND HOW?
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Avatar universal
This is a very old, long thread.  It would be best if your started your own new thread where we can address your individual concerns.

More time...yes!  It takes 4-6 weeks for a dose to reach its full potential in your blood.  Furthermore, the initial dose we are put on is at best an educated guess.  After 4-6 weeks, labs should be repeated, symptoms re-evaluated and meds adjusted.  

When you start your thread (Post a Question at the top of the page), please provide reference ranges for your thyroid tests as they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report.

Also, please tell us about any other symptoms you are experiencing.
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Avatar universal
I began having heart palps that skipped a beat every 5 beats or so. After an EKG which showed a skipping but not dangerous heart and a blood test, my TSH came up at 16.28, T4,Free was .84. Vitamin D was also low, at 17.1. There was no category for T3 and everything else was normal. I was prescribed 50 mcg of Levothyroxine per day 3 weeks ago as well as 1.25 mg of vitamin D to be taken once weekly. Neither seem to be helping. The heart palpations are scary. Any suggestions? More time?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the post.  We are well aware of the importance of having a good ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3.  Whenever it seems that there could be an issue in that area, we don't hesitate to recommend testing for Reverse T3.  In fact if you peruse our posts over the last couple of weeks, I think I remember several instances like that.
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Avatar universal
Check this website. It is certainly me and may be also all of you. Regular doctors do not know how to check the Deep Tisue Thyroid Deficiency. The only way it can be determined is if they check T3r and if it is too much comparing to the T3 it is low Thyroid problem. I have that and i am taking Sustained Release Compounded T3 hormone daily wich helped me for depression, energy levels and weight loss.
http://tiredthyroid.com/feeling-hyper-when-hypo.html
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Avatar universal
What dosage are you taking daily?  Please post your latest thyroid related tests and their reference ranges, as shown on the lab report.  When you were originally diagnosed as hypothyroid, what was the basis for that diagnosis?  If it was based on test results, please post those old results and ranges if you have them.
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Avatar universal
I too have had hypothyroidism since my daughter was born 9 years ago, my sister has Graves which helped me realize it was probably my thyroid when I started having symptoms of irregular heart beat and really tired, dry skin and constipated. Got on Lexothyroxine 9 years ago and had been fine.  Now the last year I've been having heart palps all the time went to the doctor had ekg done said heart is fine.  Thought since I'm 45 maybe it was peri-menopause but now the last month I've been feeling like I'm getting hyper instead of hypo.  Heart beating out of my chest, can't breath good, anxious, diarrhea for the past month, shaky feeling.  Stop taking my meds for now still feel terrible.  Can't get into the Dr for almost a month Argh.
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Avatar universal
Count me in on the palpitations.  I have Hashi's and have been taking Nature Throid (same as Armour natural dessicated thyroid) for 5 years or so.  It was working really well to control my symptoms and my lab numbers were all very good.  All of a sudden in January I began having pounding palps, fast heart rate, anxiety, insomnia, same as everyone else here.  Like alot of you, I ended up in the ER having a full heart checkup.  They said my heart was fine and it must be stress.  Funny, I didn't feel stressed.  
After doing lots of research, I found out that there are two things that can interfere with your body processing your thyroid medication.  1.  If your cortisol is too low or too high.  Push your dr. for a cortisol saliva test to determine how much cortisol your body is producing at different times of the day.  The blood test does not tell you anything, but that is what most doctors will try to get you to do first.  2.  Low iron/ferritin levels can prevent your body from processing thyroid hormones properly.  Low iron can also cause palpitations!  Hypothyroidism causes malabsorption of nutrients due to low stomach acid, which is why so many people who are hypo are also low on iron and have palpitations.  I am post-menopausal, so was very surprised to learn, after having a full iron panel done, that my ferritin is extremely low as is my iron saturation.  Thank goodness for the people at The Hotze Clinic in Houston.  They actually know this!  I am now on iron supplements and taking low dose cortisol in the morning to correct the problems.  In the meantime, just until my levels are all normal again, they have me taking T3 only (Cytomel).  This seems to be doing the trick.  The palpitations are greatly improved, and I'm sleeping at night again.  I won't be back to normal until my iron is built up again and this does take time.  Just to know that we have a plan is such a relief.
Please do yourself a favor and read the book with the ridiculous title of "Stop The Thyroid Madness" by Janie Bowthorpe, available on Amazon.  It has all the information you need to know about most everything relating to your thyroid, no matter what the problem is.  And no, you're not crazy, you don't need anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds or beta-blockers.
If you can't find a dr. who is knowledgable (good luck with that), at the very least, please press them to do a full iron panel.  This could be the problem for most of you.  I hope this helps someone.  Be well.
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Avatar universal
i have not been diagnosed with anything yet, tho i have been miserable for over three years now with just about every symptom of thyroid problems tho tsh levels are good...tsh level was 1.7 two years ago and now 2.3, tmrrw i go in for t3 and t4 testing...cbc looks great except for eosinophils at 9.9...my mother had her thyroid removed at age 30 when she was PG with me and now finally the Dr i'm going to said that my enlarged heart, high pulse, low bp can be thyroid related...i feel like i have suffered a lot of pain for years and was also told it looks like i had a heart attack at one time...dr now says he will figure out what is wrong and hopefully soon as i dont sleep more than 2 hours a night for the last few months and havent had six straight hours of sleep in over 3 years...i've always been cold, feet and fingers are extremely cold and i live in AZ, extreme fatigue for over two years (ever since i had a complete hyst) depressed, trouble focusing (think i'm getting dementia...lol) low grade fever the last couple of months....almost constant chest pains, dull, aching pain....resting heart rate is always 90-100 and if i walk around the block it goes to 120-130 and stays that way for an hour...can't even take hot showers anymore due to the fact that my heart races to 130 for up to 2-3 hours after...mornings are the worst, takes me all morning to just get up and get going...evenings i feel the best, which is not saying much lately...i used to bike 5-10 miles every day, hike, and now i can barely walk 100 yards without wanting to kill over...in soo much pain and yet EKG shows fine...dr says after the next blood work results time to go to a cardio and find out why my heart is enlarged...just need some relief soon...any suggestions is greatly appreciated...
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Avatar universal
Drug interaction especially if you are on Cytomel....check what your using that has been different, especially if it was working prior...
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Avatar universal
I'm posting this to help someone else who is having these problems taking synthoid and CYTOMEL...
I found out there was a drug interaction with Cortisone and Cytomel.  It gave me extreme anxiety, heart palpitations, panic attacks within a couple hours after taking meds..  So if you are on any Cortisone like products do not take with Cytomel.  I had to be taken off cytomel and am just on a higher dose of synthroid to correct this, and have been off cortisone product for 2 weeks now.  I cannot believe how much better I feel.  I can't believe Doctors are not aware of this interaction.
Here's the link for more info...interactions w meds...SIDE EFFECTS

Hope this helps someone...you're not crazy!!

http://www.ehealthme.com/drug-interactions-side-effects/Cortisone-Motrin-Cytomel-Synthroid-Growth-Hormone-6019113
What the interaction does is the cortisone increase your cytomel dosage
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Avatar universal
You DO know that one of the side effects of levothyroxine is heart palpitations, RIGHT?  Do you not even know the side effects of the drugs you're taking?
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Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report.
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Avatar universal
im hypothyroid also. even my ths is normal i still hve palpitations.
i got so many questions to my dr. butshe just said not from  my thyroid.
palpitations  comes from panic attack and anxiety. Before  im always  rush
to hospital  then found  nothing wrong with me.. So many  things feeling
inside my body but what scare me most is  my palpitations.. i just ignore
pains. As i read  ur  comments now im sure  its from hypothyroidism  or
maybe the side  effect  of med  causing  anxiety  or panic attack. I hve controlled  frequency of panic attack after reading an article  and  explain what its all about.. Before  im suffering  from i almost  everyday  but now  every 3 months. Still dnt know hw  long  i cn have this problem.. For now  my dr ask me  to take atelonol  as needed whenever i got  palpitations.,
She dnt  advise  me hw to cure anxiety and panics..Whenever panic attacks .. i go  out to busy suroundings  and friends so i will not notice it. According  to what i read  it will just gone  for few min and it is harmless.
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Avatar universal
i'm  hypothyroid also  nd experiencing palpitations with no reason at all.
even my tsh normal my palpitations suddenly comes. im thinking  this is the side effect of thyroid medicine..my blood pressure goes up when i experience  this rapid heartbeat and my doc ask me  to take therablock 25mg as needed only..some doctors says its anxiety, panic attack. b4  i end up in hospital  almost everyday. they cnt find anything wrong. so now im reading materials about anxiety and panic attacks..somehow i control panic attacks. according to the info i read.. panic will soon be gone in minutes.. so as palpitations.. so ijust go out to  talk to friends. go o busy surrounding so i will not notice the attack..its harmless anyway..
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Avatar universal
Is size the only reason the doctor thinks your thyroid gland should come out?

What thyroid meds and dosage are you taking daily?  If you will please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report, members will be better able to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.  Also, have you been tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin?  If so, please post those results and ranges as well.  If not, you should make sure to do so.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for this post. It really encouraged me. I am two years into diagnoses and still high tsh at 7.8. Having a hard time working because of anxiety attacks every day and heart palps... trying to stay positive. My thyroid is also very large. at 4cm. Not sure if I want it out or not as the doctor has suggested. Thanks for you post.
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