Heart palpitations when sleeping/lightheadedness

[Liz1900]

Hi,

    Hope someone can help.  I have posted recently and my problems continue.  After being on Armour thyroid for many years, my thyroid has started to act up.  I won't go into all the details, but after two changes in medicine - first decreasing my 135 mg to 120 mg. and then down to 90 mg., I still don't feel good.  The last change was 3 weeks ago and as you all know we must wait for 6 weeks for blood work.  I am beginning to think my doctor things i am a hypocondriac - just a feeling.  

     I am even trying to cut my 90 mg tablet in two taking 45 in the A. M. and 45 in the afternoon on an empty stomach - I thought that might help and had that confirmed by a thyroid doctor on another board.  Last night I felt almost normal - and I always get encouraged, and then last night and even the night before, I am aware of my heartbeat all night while I am trying to sleep.  When I took my pulse, it wasn't that high - but I can feel it.  Now it seems much faster since I got up and when I got out of bed I have that "flu like feeling" - off and rather lightheaded.

      Someone on this board or another recommended calcium citrate or magnesium citrate for the palpitations - If so, can you give me any more info on that - how much - when to take - how long does it take to work?  Also any other suggestions. By the way, as I have read on the boards, I have had EKGs and eccocardiogram.  My doctor suggested a cardiologist when I saw her on Thursday - but I truly don't believe it is my heart.
  
      From what I have read, many on this board have been going through problems much long than I have - mine actually started in December with several changes in meds continuing now.

Thanks,
Liz

[Auto2005]

For what it's worth, I had heart palps (or an awareness of my heart beat or pounding heart) when I first became hypo.  I had most of my palps while in bed or sleeping. This lasted for nearly a year while my doctor adjusted my med (synthroid) trying to bring down my TSH.  Once my TSH came down to 1 that stopped for the most part, although I still get it a little every now and then, though not as intense as in the past. I have hashimoto's hypothyroid, so I wasn't hyper. I was getting TSH checked every 6 weeks,so I know this was happening while I was hypo. The only advice I can offer is get your TSH, t3, t4 and other labs checked every 6 weeks and until your TSH is in the normal range. Did your doctor explain why he/she was cutting your dose down? Had you become hyper? Have you considered trying another brand of the med instead of Armour? Maybe the T3 in Armour was the culprit!! Ask you doctot for your labs. Good luck.

[stella5349]

Armour is a faster converter since it has all the T's - not just T4. It does move much faster in your system. I am concerned that the forum doctor advised you to cut the tablet in half. There is no score on the tablet- hense you should not really do that.

If you are taking the 1/2 tablet in the evening , let say before dinner or later. You could be experiencing these symptoms at night as you state.

Don't cut the tablets. take it in the AM only and give it time. Your body needs that two to three weeks to figure out how to manage the med and balance you out.

I am an Armour patient and can relate to your med dosage change. I became impatient too - but since I gave my self the time to adjust - I really feel better after 3 weeks of the change. I can't wait to see where my TSH is at and the end of this month!

[skymax2000]

Could your medication be making you hyperthyroid? I had heart palpitations form hyperthyroidism.

Magnesium powder called Natural Calm is excellent. You mix with water and drink like a tea. I take it before bed as it helps me sleep.

[Christy1950]

Hi just notice a Luke some posted comments down has the same problem maybe if you contact him?

[Christy1950]

I am sorry you are having such a rough time. Just half your problems would have me depressed so keep your chin up.
I would keep going with your blood sampling and change your doctor until you get this fixed. My father in law lost heaps of weight and was having bad heart pulputations and they sent him to a heart specialist who put him in hospital and they were even using electric shock treatment on him to get his heart to beat normal and after a couple of weeks they discovered "low and behold" he had a thyriod problem. Now they have corrected this with medication he has had no further problems. You could not believe how wrong some doctors and specialists can be so I would keep changing and persisting until you get it all fixed.