Chest Pressure and Feeling Lightheaded

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I have been having recurring episodes of extreme pressure in my chest (outward), sharp pain in my chest and feeling numb and lightheaded; sometimes twenty episodes or more a day. These episodes have been getting worse over the past year. Also, for the past year, I've been taking 30 mg of Armour Thyroid. Could my symptoms be a side effect of the Armour? I've had a stress test and cardio results seem OK. Also have MS.
I need to know what is cause of these symptoms. It's ruining my life!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Yes, the amount of T3 compared to T4 found in pig thyroid is much greater than in human thyroid.  While for many patients this may be the reason they feel better, for others the T3 content may be too stimulating for the heart.  So this may be the cause and would be worth switching to T4-only medication (ie synthroid or levoxyl) and see if the symptoms change -- the rough dose equivalent is 50mcg.  The MS may also be contributring to these symptoms.

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Forgot to add that I sometimes have heart palpitations or flutters and blood pressure seems to get very high.