AF associated with Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism)

[AFGran]

Interested in others’ experience of AF as a result of hyperthyroidism. I’ve been prescribed bisoporol to control it, but this does not work, plus it makes my BP so low I faint, so I can’t take it.

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi AFGran and welcome to our forum.

We're a friendly bunch and I'm sure other members, with the same condition as you, will be along soon to give some advice. I was diagnosed with the opposite - hypothyroidism and tablets now rectify the awful tiredness I felt.

I know one of our members Hidden may be able to give you some tips and my printing his name here will hopefully alert him to your post.

Hope you soon get some answers.

Jean

[bantam12]

I was diagnosed with Graves when I was a teenager, loooong time ago ! So a lifetime of hyper and hypo thyroid problems, now have AF and a pacemaker so I can take Bisoprolol without the drop in rate. I'm sure being hyper on and off for many years contributed to my now dicker ticker.

[Hidden]

No pressure there then eh!...😉.

First AFGran, obviously I don’t know what you know but there is a close connection between problems with the thyroid and AF. This is particularly the case with hyperthyroidism and AF. In a lot of cases, the AF Doctor (EP) would be keen to have the thyroid treatment resolved before embarking on a treatment plan for AF. I can only relate what happened in my case so please bear in mind that the treatment I had might not be suitable for you.

I was borderline hyperthyroid. When I was first diagnosed back in 2014, my then Cardiologist felt that whilst my TSH was low, T3 and T4 level were in range therefore my lone AF was unlikely to have been triggered by an overactive thyroid. More recently, my T3 levels started to go out of range and I was advised to see an Endocrinologist. He put me on a low dose of Carbimazole which brought my T3 back in range but because this drug was deemed to be inappropriate for long term use for people with AF, I (reluctantly) opted for RAI (radioactive iodine treatment) which appears to have worked although its still early days. This treatment can cause hypothyroidism but they say that is easier to manage than hyperthyroidism.

You might find it helpful to check out the Thyroid UK forum. Hope this helps, but give me a shout if you want any more information.

[Adasian in reply to Hidden]

So interesting for me to hear that both hypo and hyperthyroidism can have an effect on Afib. I have been hypo fo years. Then my T3 dropped and T4 increased around the same time I got Afib. Also was on a keto diet and lost 10lbs. My doctor wanted to lower my thyroid from 112mg to 100mg but I was concerned it would make me even more tired. Referred to an endocrinologist who tracked my stats for a year and said my dosage was fine. My heart specialist also reduced my BP meds to 5mg and cut my Biosoprolol to half of the lowest dose once a day. It all seems to work. In addition my doctor went ahead and lowered my thyroid to 100mg and everything seems to be working. I still am concerned though with how tired I feel after exercising. Walking, Pilates, weights, biking, etc. Could be age. By the way I am in permanent Afib, which is probably a contributing factor, but don’t feel anything. I have an Apple Watch.

[Sally_Scott]

HiFound your post and replies to it very interesting.

I have suffered with persistent AF for 3 years with relief at periods with cardioversions.

I have suffered with thyroid for years and have been on thyroxin 125 daily. Recently they upped my dose to150 which triggered AF. I had no idea that this could cause AF so I’ve lived and learnt.

Do hope you get sorted out soon x

[10gingercats in reply to Sally_Scott]

Crikey,150 of thyroxine sounds a bit steep.Mine was recently upped to 75 to get a lot of other issues in line and I an due a blood test in mid/ late Feb. to check up on if this is working. feeling fine so guess it did the trick. Had a lower dose until mid Dec.

[MagV]

AFIB came on suddenly on 7/7/17 and was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. Been on medication since then. AFIB under control with a few blips here and there.

[ling in reply to MagV]

Which type of hyperthyroidism do u have?

[Auriculaire]

When my afib was first diagnosed I was told it was because my TSH was too low. This was nonsense as my free Ts were well within range and dropping my thyroxine a bit and completely stopping the small dose of T3 I was on resulting in a big rise in TSH has not stopped it. In reality it was brought on as a reaction to taking Cipro but docs are very reluctant to acknowledge that. I think being either hyper or hypo can cause afib but the latter is rarely acknowledged.

[Chrissy7]

Hi there sorry to hear you have this problem- I have not been diagnosed as “AF due to hyperthyroidism” but I’m newly diagnosed with AF and I suspect that may be the cause. Need to do testing.

The doctors put me on a couple different beta blockers that made my BP too low and made me feel tired and terrible.

So they switched me to a calcium channel blocker - the lowest dose Diltiazem and it works like a charm for my AF and doesn’t lower my BP (mine runs low to start with)

After trying a few different meds that made me feel terrible this one has been a lifesaver- I felt much better on it snd can exercise without my HR shooting up

[Redmakesmehappy]

I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease when I was 30, heart rate so fast they had trouble counting it. This was 1968 before Beta Blockers. I spent 6 week in hospital being treated with what drugs they had to try to slow heart rate and also given medication to “kill” thyroid. When they got me slowed down enough to avoid a thyroid crisis, they did surgery to remove thyroid. My heart after that was always irritable and would go into tachycardia easily. As soon as beta blocker were available, I was put on them to help. I developed AFib the year I turned 82. Never was a drinker until this past year when I enjoyed a vodka tonic occasionally or a half beer. None of my episodes occurred after drinking my one drink, but after reading it could, scares me. At my age there are few things I enjoy now and miss my occasional drink and wonder at my age, why not enjoy as AFib is not supposed to be that dangerous, just scares you to death. I am on Flecainide, Eliquis as well as beta blocker.. any advice for a old lady???

[Maril1 in reply to Redmakesmehappy]

I was diagnosed back in 2006 with permanent flutter they tried every concoction of drug under the sun and nothing worked . I had numerous cardio version which though successful were only a stop gap and the flutter returned. Once abroad on holiday went into permanent flutter on first day! So didn’t want to spoil it especially for the kids so I carried on as normal and thought may as well have a drink as it might help me sleep as HR was 130 at rest and surprise ,surprise, during 2nd pint was back in normal rhythm so had a few more to be on the safe side😀. This again was a stop gap until eventually cured by ablation but it worked every time.Still suffer proxy afib another episode on holiday in Greece just about to go out for meal with friends so suggested a couple of swift ones it did the trick. As the say a little bit of what you like never does you any harm . What have you got to lose? My main trigger is fatigue and I never a have a skinful . I’ve found you have to draw your own guidelines with this and it all trial and error like life really but who am I to try and tell an 82 y.o . I wouldn’t even dream of it you would run rings around me but I hope it helps.

[Redmakesmehappy]

Thanks for your input. I see my Electrophysiologist in couple weeks so think I will ask his opinion. I am very thin and he told me last visit to eat Ice Cream, never thought a cardio doctor would tell me that, lol. We are not going to get out of the world alive so enjoy each day!!!!