Any link between Hypothyroid and pericarditis?

[penzt8]

Today, I was diagnosed with a hypoactive thyroid. I won't know the specific details of the test until my follow-up appointment. I've been searching the internet and saw a list of symptoms that included fluid around the heart.  I've had two occurances of fluid build up around my heart in the past. Both times I had the same symptoms, chest pain and painful breathing. Both times, the doctors took xrays and ran blood tests and both times the cause was undetermined. The first time I was given ecotrin and the fluid dissipated within 24-48 hours. The second time I went to the ER and was given a nitro tablet because they thought I was having a heart attack. I was observed over night in the ER and when the pain subsided within 12hours and I was sent home with instructions to take ecotrin again. Follow up with a cardiologist showed no cause. As far as I know, they never checked for thyroid problems. So, I'm just curious if this is a symptom of a Hypoactive thyroid.

[Michelle_05]

Hypothyroidism as such has no apparent link to PERICARDITIS.

BUT Pericardial Effusions can occur in hypothyroidism.



Good Luck.

[penzt8]

The broad term, pericarditis, seems to cover a variety of conditions that includes fluid build up around the heart, which is essentially what I had.  I did find a reference on a pericarditis page that indicated that a possible cause could be hypothyroidism. It didn't give any indication of the frequency or whether most cardiologists even consider hypothyroidism as a cause when doing their diagnosis.

[penzt8]

I got more details on my test results today also. My TSH level was 22 and my T4 was .89. I'm reluctant to begin treatment until I understand this condition a little better. My symptoms are mild at best unless the hypothyroidism is the cause of the fluid around my heart.  I initially went to my doctor to get evaluated for weight loss. I've put on about 50 pounds over the past 5 years.  Nothing real startling. She also wants to evaluate me for sleep apnea, which I suspect I've had for many years. It's just a lot of stuff to take in at once and I don't want to rush into treatment.