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chest pains with thyroid

My question is will or can your chest hurt off and on for days with this problem? I was in the hospital had all the test except a stress test done on my heart everything came back good, when they did my blood test my t3 level came back good my t4 leverl came back a little low at 30, and me tsh level came back as 10.18, they told me I had hypothyroid and gave me sythroid 50 mcg. I have now been taking this med for three days, I am still really tired and my chest hurts above the breast and sometimes right in the breast, I know the meds will take up to 2 weeks to kick in, but is it common to have these pains in the chest with hypothyroid?
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Avatar universal
Did they do a chest ct scan to rule out anything else besides heart issues? Many things in the lungs and nervous system can cause pain too and paraneoplastic syndromes can present initially with vague symptoms like fatigue and abnormal thyroid or other endocrine labs.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
JulieMarie1984... You were started on a very high dose of levothyroxine, to begin with and that could be causing some of your chest pain.  Sometimes, it's better to start out at lower doses and work up to the therapeutic dose more slowly, because some of us can't take that much hormones all at once, after having been without them for so long.

Another thing is that it does take our body time to get used to having the hormones after being without them so it's not unusual for some symptoms to get worse before they get better or for new symptoms to appear.

Both depression and high cholesterol are symptoms of hypothyroidism.  The symptoms of fibromyalgia are the same as those of hypothyroidism and quite likely will go away once your thyroid hormone levels are adequate.

Is your doctor testing Free T3 and Free T4 or just TSH?  Free T3 and Free T4 are the actual thyroid hormones, while TSH is a pituitary hormone that neither causes nor alleviates symptoms.  
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Avatar universal
Getting adequate testing and treatment in the UK is a special problem due to the guidelines of the NHS, which do not work for many hypothyroid patients.   A good thyroid doctor will test and adjust Free T4 and Free T3 levels as needed to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results and especially not TSH results when already taking thyroid med.    You can get some good info from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.  I highly recommend reading the link and other information here so that you can be an effective advocate for yourself, in order to hopefully find a good thyroid doctor and get the treatment you need.  

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

First thing to note is that testing for TSH only is inadequate.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3).  Even so, your TSH was so high that it resulted in you being classified as overt hypothyroidism, so they were agreeable to going ahead and prescribing thyroid med.  A high TSH like that is usually due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Hashi's is a dysfunction of the autoimmune system in which the thyroid gland is erroneously identified as foreign to the body and antibodies are produced to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  As this proceeds, the output of T4 and T3 diminishes and the TSH rises, and the patient has hypo symptoms.  

Your problem with the doctor will come when the med reduces your TSH back to somewhere within its range and then you will be told that all is okay and any symptoms you have are not due to hypothyroidism, which is most frequently wrong.  I say that because frequently thyroid med adequate to relieve symptoms also suppresses TSH to the low end of the range or below, which doctors don't like to see because they erroneously assume that a suppressed TSH means hyperthyroidism.  That is not the case unless there are hyper symptoms due to excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T3.

So when did you start on the thyroxine?  Hypothyroid patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  So you need to also test for those and supplement as needed to optimize.  D should be about 55 min., B12 in the upper end of the range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.  Deficiency in these can cause symptoms and low ferritin can adversely affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  So they are important for a hypo patient.

If you stay with us we will be glad to help interpret further test results and advise further.  Also, this link is to a post from a UK member who had great  difficulty getting the testing and treatment she needed, and how she was finally successful.

"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge.  You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid.  If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes.  But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
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Avatar universal
I was told 9 months ago I was depressed so was given antidepressants... after a month my neck started swelling I called the doc he told me to stop taking them straight away... mistake...you r menna be weaned off them it gave me a nervous breakdown... I had tests  done it came bk at I have hypothyroidism..my tsh levels was 103 the doc said it was off the charts.  So gave me 100mg thyroxine and every other day I have to have a extra 25mg.. since being diagonased with this I have put on 2 and half stone.. I feel awful.. I have problems breathing... I get out of breath just walking upstairs.. my legs ache  my spine hurts..my neck hurts...I had bloods done for thyroid cancer and that was clear.  I had bloods done for a goitre and I have one...I am seeing the endo in 6 wks... my body feels like I have flu... I'm hot cold tierd hurt all over everything hurts my bones all of it..I hate feeling like this as I have always been fit and well. But I have a 9 year old 3 year old and 17 month old to look after and I do my dam hardest to do everything but by the time the evening comes I just want to cry with exhaustion... the last couple of days I have been having chest pains... worried I am as there is a history of heart disease in my family...my dad being one of them...when will this get better. Why me... why do I have to feel so bad... I also have low white blood cells... and my bloods for kidney and liver came bk with high cholesterol and my levels on my overies was 35 so they sent me to hospital for a scan as the doc thought I also had cancer on my overies... that came bk clear. Such a relief... I possibly have fibromyalgia too...all this is all linked together.  I would be nice to have the right dose on tablets and to have a proper label to what is going on with my body so I can try and sort it
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Avatar universal
Check for colloid nodules in your thyroid. If there are colloid nodules there is no need to panic. It is 100% treatable by an experienced endocrinologist!
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Avatar universal
Most likely you will not get a response from beva32, since this thread is very old.  Since you have posted on a thyroid forum, I assume that you have a thyroid problem.  If you want to tell us about all your symptoms  and post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges, we may be able to help.  
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Avatar universal
yes the same problem i have ....suffering from last 6 moth
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Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.  Do you have any other symptoms?
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Avatar universal
I've been having chest pains on left side under breast for over 2 weeks. Went to Dr. Had EKG, chest X-ray and loads of BW. All normal. I also am hypo. The pain and fluttering is sometimes unbearable.  I'm going to try vit D to see if that helps. I'm also on 125mcg of synthroid. If anyone has any other advise I would truly appreciate it.
Thank u!
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Avatar universal
My sister and I both have Hashimoto's.  A year or so after she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism she started having trouble breathing.  She described it as gasping for air but feeling like you were not getting any.  Doctors thought she was mental.  One day my sister was having breathing problems so my sister-in-law started to drive her to the ER, which is about an hour from her home.  My sister couldn't make it so my sister-in-law pulled over and called an ambulance.  The paramedics said that she was having an anxiety attack.  At the ER the doctor agreed and said that her oxygen levels were normal.  She was given anxiety medicine and sent home.  After having other muscle issues my sister was finally diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis, a condition of muscle weakness that commonly occurs with hypothyroidism.  Her muscles next to her lungs were to weak to make her lungs expand,  so they were not getting oxygen.  She was not having an anxiety attack and the standard ER test for blood oxygen levels doesn't pick it up because there is still oxygen in the blood.  After her thyroid hormone levels were adjusted with medication and she started M. gravis medication she did not have anymore "anxiety" attacks.  It is difficult to find a doctor who has in depth knowledge about Myasthenia gravis and hypothyroidism.  My sister is still educating her doctors about her condition.  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Yes!! i just got back from the ER for the third time in 3 weeks. The first 2 they said panic attacks but I was panicking because i could not breath! This time the pain in my right chest that goes straight thru to my back and my shoulder and neck ach and tighten on the right side. I was so scared i thought it was a heart attack. But this time they said hypo and anxiety..all other tests came back fine..AGAIN! The chest pain was so bad today, my eyes hurt and out of focus, my face was hot and i felt like **** all day. And then i got super light headed and felt very wierd...the chest pain got way worse ,,then came the shortness of breath and the tightning in thr rt side of my neck.
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Avatar universal
I am hypo thyroid also had chest pains and went to the hospital thinking it was the heart. No problems? I changed Doctor and she said my meds were
to high. So she lowered them and the chest pains stoped. When my thyroid is acting up my shoulders ache terrible. Does anyone else get this reaction?
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215461 tn?1331862765
I have chest pains all the time.  I have had numerous EKG's, a gastro work up, a holter monitor and a stress test.  The holter monitor was abnormal which prompted the stress test.  The stress test came back normal.  I have extremely low ferritin and vitamin D levels.  I might need to get iron infusions.  My hematologist is waiting to see what a big battery of tests show.  I think my chest pains are somehow related to this, but who knows?  My vitamin b12 is pretty low as well.  I always feel like my body is falling apart.  I even get left arm and jaw pain with all of this.  I am 33 and had my thyroid out last August.  I was extremely hypo when all of this started and am still not at an optimal range.  
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Avatar universal
My wife has Hypo I think the one that makes you gain weight. She s been having a chest pain now for over a month. started on the right side upper shoulder and one night got stressed with my son and then got more pain on the left side and now in the middle of her chest. she tells me that her bones hurt there and touches there to the feel and hurts big time. she gets sharp pains sometimes? She is very stressed and I think she needs to relax. because she went for a check up and everything came out normal. can anyone help??
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Avatar universal
I have been off thyroid meds for about a year and I was hypo and my levels are still normal, but this pain on the right sideof my chest every nite alway into my back and belching, I wish I knew what iy is and how to fix it and then theres the coughing. Going to check in with the doctor.
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Avatar universal
Chest discomfort can be a number of things....hypo (which sometimes leaves you finding it hard to take in a deep breath), hyper which can cause fast heartrate), anxiety.

When you feel like an elephant is sitting on yr chest and the shoulderblades on yr back feel like there is a knife in between them...that is time to call an ambulance.
But as I always say...if in doubt, check it out.

Dont ever be afraid of getting chest pain checked..
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Avatar universal
Hello, I have had hypothyroid since Oct. 09 33 years old. I started having chest discomfort. I ended up one night going to the ER. He discharged me, said that I was having a panic attack. I was mad. I have never had a hx of anxiety or panic attacks. Anyone knows me, knows that I am the most easy going laid back person that lives in fatih. I am tired of doctors putting labels when their is possible medical reasons. I am a counsleor and I try to practice what I preach when it comes to coping with life. Not to say that I am not vunerable to an anxiety disorder. After several months later all my heart test came back normal. I did find out that I was very low in Vit D too. I did end up in th ER, a second time. I was severly constipated and had a yeast infection. I am so glad to hear all of your stories because I know I am not alone with these chest pains and their not in "our heads" To many of us suffer. They need to do more studies why there is a common symptom of chest pain. I tell you this has been a long journey for me. I did see a hormone sepcialist. He gave me some natural herbal vitamins that really helped, and I can tell a differnce in my energy and body aches when I have not taken them in awhile. Try adrenal rebulider

Along with a complex Vit B1, B2, etc

At night I take 1 tab Seriphos, really helps me sleep

All natural herbal, I do not work for any of these co, I am just telling they have really helped me, but check with your doctor.
I also take Metropol (blood pressure and anxiety) and my Lex for thyroid.  Activan(anxiety) as needed for anxiety to deal with the chest pain. I also take one mulitvitam, one vit D and two to three fish oils a day. Today I can honestly say, I am doing much better, less chest pain and body aches, more energy, less headaches, I still have my days, especailly with the chest pain, but very few in between. I hope I have helped. Don';t let those Doctors convince you that you have mental problems, that only makes things worse becasue you start to think you start to beleive and it does manifest inot reality. (please excuse spelling gram, wrote fast.)
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Avatar universal
Thank you all for your advice, I have only been taking the meds now for 6 days so I am going to give it some time and see how I feel after a few weeks, my biggest problem now is the worring and stress I have, if I can't just get my faith back I might be ok....
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616450 tn?1228433627
I was supposed to see an electrophysiologist also, because Endo #3 says the EKGs show an "inherited short PR interval," which he claims isn't too serious. I haven't scheduled that yet. I just DO NOT want permanent heart damage and I wish I had seen a "better" endo to start with, because the two years with #1 were all wear and tear on me and my body and mind.
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390388 tn?1279636213
Regarding chest/heart related issue to HypoT:  

How do you really know which is which when you have both heart related issues and are Hypo both?    

The symptoms you all describe explain is how I feel most of the time.  The chest/ back pains and spasms are terrible along with the edema and muscle aches threw out my body at times.  I've tried to watch my BP and HR to tell what's going on but mine is like a roller coaster at times.  LOL  I've had these symptoms for ~ 5 yrs now and have been taking thyroid med's for ~ 6 months now.  Then they say to watch your temp.  But when your in alot of pain it will drive up your temp and BP/HR.  I cannot lay on my left side though and have to lay on my back with my head elevated due to the massive palps at times.  It also makes my nose bleed and my eyes sometimes looks like a wagon wheels.  

I know some of this is heart related and some may be Hypo related. I've just learned to try to deal with it.  My question is:  Is there anyway to tell the difference?  Some kind of clue.  Just curious?
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393685 tn?1425812522
I am sure you just made a typo in your sentence regarding Hashimoto being hypr.

For clarification Hashimoto is associated with hypothyroidism.
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393685 tn?1425812522
There is a difference in these type of cardiac situations.

First off Hypothyroidism can cause calcifications. There may be nothing showing on the labs and tests now - but in time if you are not regulated you can develope heart disease.  

Also inflammation of joints and muscles can also be a symptoms of Hash/hypo - and it can inflame in the chest area whcih can minic cardiac problems.

Along with the stress that is a major symptom in this disease - the inflammation can be very bothersome ( and worrying) too.

Anxiety meds as Little Ed says seems to help - because it lowers the stress level - but it does nothing to solve the possible swelling or inflammation in the chest area.

You may want to get a magnesium test to see if you are deficient. If you are - which many are - that could help you.  Even attempting to try a magnesium citrate supplement may help.

Talk to your doctor.
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611999 tn?1298758291
little ed and bn crump,


I think this disease gives you so much anxiety that it may cause chest pains.  I was tking xanax for this as well but it wore off quickly so now I take a low dose of klonopin everyday.  I do not think I would be functioning without it.  I do not want to get addicted but its like you have no choice with this disease.  I went to a psych doc to get it.  My endo suggested I get gp to prescribe it and she said psych doc has to.
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Avatar universal
I think some of mine might have been due to stress/anxiety as well but I think it was caused by overmedication. My endo refuses to drop my synthroid from 125 because my TSH is fine. He never runs free t3 or free t4. So, I found a new endo that I see in 2 weeks. In the meantime, the vitamin D has helped a lot and I have been cutting my synthroid in 1/2 everyday. That seems to help. However, I don't know what that is doing to my numbers. I know that sometimes I feel like **** and other days I am fine. The fatigue is the worst part. :(  I am looking forward to the new endo that specializes in thyroid and hoping she will listen. I asked my dr for xanax and he wouldn't give it to me...says I can deal.
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