Amiodarone

[EngMac]

This may have been mentioned before but I am unaware of it. I saw the following info on the Thyroid UK community site here on HealthUnlocked.

"Now experiencing atrial fibrillation after being 16 months without problems. I'm a cardio patient, had Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism but was taken off that drug a year ago. My TSH went first one way and then the other and levothyroxine was reduced to 75 mg 5 months ago. Had a blood test yesterday and awaiting result but has anyone experienced problems when coming off Amiodarone?"

Yes, amiodarone can definitely affect your thyroid function, see

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Your GP should be testing your thyroid function at least every 6 months.

Make sure he asks for all of these tests.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

Another comment:

"I had both Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter before I was diagnosed with Constrictive Pericarditis.

My Cardiologist treated the two disorders separately although I am almost sure the heart condition which was very serious caused the AF. I was put on Amiodarone as nothing else kept my heart rate down.

Then in between times I had three cardio versions and three ablations but was told that these would only help the flutter. The third ablation seemed to do the trick but having a Pericardectomy definately stopped the AF.

I was then taken off the Amiodarone as I no longer needed it.

I did carry on having Atrial Flutter afterwards and then about 18 months after my surgery I developed Graves disease, the Atrial Flutter only stopping when I was put on Carbimazole. I can only put developing Graves down to being on Amiodarone, even though the Endo's disagree. No one in my family that I know of, has any kind of thyroid problem and even if I was borderline before (without knowing it) it could only have been the stress of open heart surgery and/or Amiodarone treatment seeing as it contains a very high amount of iodine."

[Jason1971]

I developed Hyper-Thyroidism after being on Amiodarone for 18 months. However, it was after being off the drug for 3 months that my symptoms developed. I was prescribed 40MG of Carbimazole (To be taken 20MG twice daily). I'm now down to 30MG and due another blood test, so hopefully it will be decreased again. I lost 22 pounds in weight, my AF episodes increased and I generally felt rubbish. I had a scan and thankfully I didn't have any real damage to my thyroid. I've been advised that I may go Hypo, so will have to be monitored for a good while. Like you EngMac the Amiodarone worked a treat and kept my episodes at bay, but Flecainide isn't working as well and I'm on the list for an ablation.

I posted a while ago on the Thyroid forum and had a couple of responses from people who had similar issues. Some not as lucky as me, which hit home how potent Amiodarone is.

I hope things go well with both your AF and Thyroid problems.

Cheers,

Jason

[Emsysy]

I had a very poor experience of Amiodarone. Avoid it like the plague; but if your cardio insists it's the only suitable drug ensure you have regular checks for ALL side effects. This 'poison' soaks every cell in your body.