AF and Autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism

[ajakslover]

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Anyone else have similar underlying conditions? Two and a half weeks ago I had first ablation. I stayed in sinus rhythm for 11 days and back in a fib. Had a cardio version and hope to stay in NSR. Have been researching a lot about underactive thyroid, (or is Hashimoto's Disease) Rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed in 2007), historic high cholesterol and now worsening a fib bouts. They seem to go hand in hand! What medications are others on for a fib with these underlying problems? Cardiologist said I had a conflict with medications and put me on Multaq, which I had a hard time tolerating. Am now on Propafenone (as needed) which doesn't seem to do anything to put me back in NSR. I feel like I am walking on egg shells, trying not to go revert back in a fib. Anybody have similar symptoms?

[Hidden]

Are you on the right dose of thyroxine? Too much thyroxine makes AF more likely. Luna Lovegood solved your riddle, "A circle has no beginning."

[ajakslover in reply to Hidden]

Seeing my internal medicine physician in April, and hopefully, I will be feeling more normal by then after these two heart procedures. Of all the blood work drawn in the five day ICU/hospital stay, you would think they would do a TSH3 - TSH 4 blood test, being one of my diagnosis is hypothyroidism. My IM will do that. Have been on same dose since being diagnosed quite a few years ago. Forgot to mention in my post, the other underlying problem is low blood pressure! Anyone relate to my circumstances?

[rosyG]

Hi

I have hashimotos diagnosed 18 months ago and AF started about 7 years ago. During the period thyroiditis was present my BP was all over the place and triggered more AF but now thyroid Had settled down my BP is ok and no AF for 7 months. I don’t have any meds for Thyroid yet snd am not looking forward to having to as James is correct to say it can set things off if dose is too high

[bantam12 in reply to rosyG]

Untreated and/or undermedicated hypothyroidism will also cause AF and BP problems, once on a stable dose of Levo it should be easier to control. So delaying thyroid treatment isn't the answer.

[rosyG in reply to bantam12]

They only delayed treatment as my levels are still fine. Things may well change snd I have tests to check.

[Singwell in reply to bantam12]

Bantam can you say more about this please as both my GP and EP said that hypothyroidism would not be a factor and more likely to slow the HR?. I'd love some proper information to wave at them. Last time I was in A and E it was recommended that I be tested again in 3 months.

[bantam12 in reply to Singwell]

There are quite a few articles available that show a link between hypo and arrhythmias and although most docs will say it doesn't happen many hypo patients will confirm it does !

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[ajakslover in reply to rosyG]

Thank you for your reply. I am happy you don't have to be on a thyroid medicine and hope that continues

[dolly26]

Hi I was diagnosed with hashimoto’s in early 2017 and started on thyroxine. I also had half my thyroid removed due to thyroiditis. I then developed AF in 2018 which remained undiagnosed until June 2019.

[Ducky2003]

I started with an overactive thyroid about 17 years ago. After 2 doses of radioactive iodine, I then went to underactive. I was on thyroxine for about 10 years before the AF kicked in. They did try to blame the hypothyroidism for the AF but I find this hard to believe after 10 years of managing the condition. I personally think it was stress from work that triggered the AF. Now, my endocrinologist monitors me every 3-6 months as I'm currently on Amiodarone for the AF, whilst awaiting an ablation.