AF Triggered by Thyroid Problems.

[Bluseman]

Has anyone ever considered that some AF situations could be triggered by Thyroid problems, I think it’s the Under-active Thyroid that can cause Heart Palpitations, Thank you. John

[bantam12]

I've had both over and underactive thyroid for over 50 years, both effect heart function but I've only been diagnosed with AF in the last few years.

I'm sure my long history of thyroid disease has caused all my heart problems.

[Hidden]

There is a very strong link between the thyroid function and AF and very often, EP’s and Cardiologists ask that the thyroid is treated before treating the AF. As I understand it, an overactive thyroid can have more of an affect than an underactive thyroid but that maybe because treating an overactive thyroid can be more complex.

During the year after my second ablation I experienced around 8 AF episodes then in January 2020 I had RAI treatment for an overactive thyroid and since then I have only had two mild episodes. A third ablation planned for 2020 has been put on hold.

[bantam12 in reply to Hidden]

Treating an underactive thyroid can be equally complex with a huge number of people kept on to low a dose of Levo or not given the chance to try a different replacement if Levo doesn't work for them. Unfortunately thyroid problems are seen as a minor inconvenience by the medics and once on Levo we should all be 100% well and never need to bother them again, if only that were true 😩

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

Yes I know there are often problems with treating an underactive thyroid, it’s frequently discussed on the Thyroid UK forum 😉.

[Mildhypochondriac in reply to bantam12]

T3 might help, but the NHS generally won't prescribe it because of the cost and need for close monitoring, plus a fear that it might cause heart problems. Some vets, exercising a lot of patience, have successfully treated hypothyroid animals, using T3. Hypothyroidism is caused by a shortfall of thyroid hormone, but the same symptoms can occur with adequate secretion of the hormone if the hormone doesn't reach its destination. The medical profession don't recognise this latter condition, though it is probably very common.

[bantam12 in reply to Mildhypochondriac]

My late husband was taking T3 + Levo but the same GP who put him on it refused to prescribe it for me !! I have no thyroid due to Graves, surgery and RAI yet Drs don't understand that people like me are lacking the T3 a healthy thyroid naturally produces and the amount in Levo doesn't make up for it.

Drs don't understand any of it !

[Auriculaire in reply to bantam12]

There is no T3 in Levothyroxine. It is solely T4 which then needs to be converted by the removal of an iodine molecule to produce T3 . However this conversion can be faulty leading to blood results which show the patient is euthyroid but actually resulting in tissues that are not. This conversion is dependent on various cofactors of which selenium is very important. Hypothyroid patients are rarely told this even by endocrinologists. 3 Brazil nuts a day is usually enough. It was clearly shown with experiments on rats in the mid 90s that those with no thyroid could not achieve euthyroid tissues on T4 alone. Here we are 25 years later and no further forward in terms of treatment. Medicine lags behind scientific research all the time and wrong dogmas can take decades to be overturned.

[bantam12 in reply to Auriculaire]

Yes I know I worded it wrongly 🤦🏻‍♀️

[pusillanimous in reply to Hidden]

I have familial AF (myself and 4 sisters have it)- one of whom had her predisposition exacerbated by an over active thyroid - if fact this initiated her AF diagnosis.

[Wightbaby]

I am pretty sure my underactive thyroid (which took ages to be diagnosed), and meds to treat, contributed to my now permanent AF.

[Staffsgirl in reply to Wightbaby]

Same here. It’s interesting that low T3, (the active thyroid hormone), can contribute to high cholesterol levels. I’ve read that some EPs have even prescribed T3.

[Cha275rL in reply to Staffsgirl]

That’s new info for me. Have had under active thyroid for nearly 40 years and am on statins, but had no idea of the connection. Didn’t want statins, and tried very hard to reduce cholesterol myself, but it went up to 7.2, and doc said it must be hereditary! Not overweight at all.

[Staffsgirl in reply to Cha275rL]

Rather similar story here…high cholesterol despite healthy diet and lots of exercise, and I’m slim. I’m still resisting statins. I’ve only found out the connection with T3 recently…and not from the doctor. I was diagnosed with AF a few years ago, after many years hypothyroid.

If you do a Google search you’ll probably find the info I’ve seen.

You may also be interested in reading The Great Cholesterol Myth by Bowden and Sinatra, (one of the authors is a cardiologist). Also: Dr Malcolm Kendrick’s The Great Cholesterol Con.

[Bluseman in reply to Staffsgirl]

Hello Staffsgirl.When I asked the question about any link between AF and Thyroid Problems I didn’t realise that Statins can also affect your Thyroid function, I am also questioning the use of Statins and the chronic muscle and joint aches I am suffering, lower back, hips shoulders, both shoulders, I am waiting to speak to a doctor about stopping or changing Statin, (Atorvastatin), I also didn’t have high Cholesterol when I was prescribed them, they just said it was a precaution. John

[Staffsgirl in reply to Bluseman]

I suggest you look up NHS info online re statins/ conditions/ ‘people at an increased risk of side effects.’ (Sorry but I don’t know how to put the link here!) It specifically refers to those with underactive thyroid, (page 2), and also states that statins are more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

[Bluseman in reply to Staffsgirl]

Thank you very much for your help Staffsgirl, I will have a look at the NHS statin/Thyroid link. John

[Cha275rL in reply to Staffsgirl]

I’ll look into that, thanks Staffsgirl.

[Octaviascout]

Same here .. been on Levothyroxine for 20+ years as I have an under active thyroid. Diagnosed with PAF over 2 years ago.

[Hatten28]

Hello to you, I am interested in your question regarding the thyroid.I am already on this forum but my request is for about my daughter who was diagnosed with an under active thyroid, since this she has felt very unwell, severe palpitations daily, breathlessness and utter fatigue.

She is under investigation but so far, nothing conclusive, she had a telephone conversation with her doctor after three weeks, but he forgot it was about her blood test, not very satisfactory.

I am concerned as this is how my AF began about twenty odd years ago but without the thyroid problem.

She is in her late fifties and has been a single parent since her children were babies.

Almost forgot she has also put on a lot of weight.

Can anyone shine a light on these symptoms and have any useful suggestions please. She has to work as a carer but is finding it very difficult.

[Bluseman in reply to Hatten28]

Hello Hatten28.I was just asking anyone if they knew of any connection between AF and Thyroid problems, I’m clutching at straws really, have felt unwell for sometime now with Nausea and aching back, hips, shoulders and generally feeling ropey, I have AF, but not had my Thyroid checked yet, NHS not much help up to now, difficulty with just speaking to a Doctor that may show a tiny bit of interest in your problem, some I’m trying to help myself now. John

[Cally53]

I had an overactive thyroid for around 18 months and was treated with beta blockers because my heart rate was far too high and initially carbimazole, which unfortunately I had had a bad reaction to. I was then put on propylthiouracil. I was diagnosed with AF 5 years ago, after several years of reporting heart palpitations etc. As we all know it is difficult to catch AF on a monitor as the heart always behaves when we are put on one! I believe that it was the thyroid which triggered my AF.

[Hatten28 in reply to Cally53]

Thank you that seems very interesting, only wish she could get to see a doctor properly

[AstroFish]

After a really horrible bout of palpitations lasting severalmonths after my Levo was increased - my GP asked me to stop taking it altogether as my results were only ever borderline (they’d increased the dose because I had been exhausted - which I think they assumed was thyroid related). After a few weeks of stopping Levo altogether my heart rate returned to normal albeit with the ectopic problem I have along with very rare episodes of AF - but nothing like the hellish constant heart rate that I had when I was on too much Levo. I reckon I was experiencing AF every single day back then and now it’s a thing of the past. What’s more in every subsequent blood test my thyroid is now on the low side of normal and I’ve never had to take it again which begs the question - why was I asked to take it in the first place. Best thing I ever did was coming off it.

[Hatten28 in reply to AstroFish]

Thank you your response seems to be almost exactly the same symptoms, only hope she can get some answers soon and she can get back to being her normal self, thank you

[Bluseman in reply to Hatten28]

Thanks again Hatten28.Is your poor daughter suffering similar symptoms as I explained then, like the joint ache’s and Nausea, and general fatigue. John

[Hatten28]

I had forgotten the nausea and various pains in her body and joints I thought she was getting arthritis, but the more I discover it seems that her thyroid could be the reason.Have your symptoms become better with time or different medications.

I really appreciate your response because although not nice it’s good to know that the problem is not uncommon.

Thank you again

[dunestar]

I haven't been able to get a good explanation from the medical profession about the relationship between the thyroid and heart issues. Looking at it from a lay person's perspective I can imagine more of an association between an overactive thyroid and the heart as the body is being over stimulated. But I've read that an underactive thyroid can also cause heart problems but I've no idea how that works.

I've had subclinical hypothyroidism for some years and have recently developed Atrial Fibrillation. My cardiologist referred me to a consultant endocrinologist who took the view that starting me on medication for the hypothyroidism could make the Atrial Fibrillation worse. I think part of the issue is that it's always difficult to get a clear answer when two branches of medicine are involved.

[Hatten28]

Hello just a bit more info regarding thyroid my husband had exactly the same problem, but I forgot.he was prescribed Flecainide which he now takes with his Thyroxine and is absolutely fine, can walk everywhere no breathlessness and still ok.Worth looking into?

[TracyAdmin Partner]

It is known that several conditions can be associated with AF - this can include an overactive thyroid 'hyperthyroidism' which can increase the heartrate, therefore can contribute to heart palpitations and/or abnormal heart rhythm.

[kathie659]

Diagnosed hypothyroid 25 years ago. I have no thyroid function and depend on synthroid... My afib diagnosed 4 years ago. I believe untreated sleep apnea (insurance wouldnt authorize tests) was the primary cause. Thyroid levels checked yearly. There has been no change in synthroid dosage.

[Jetcat]

My wife had been having missed heart beats and also runs of fluttering heart rates for over a year then 2 years ago After some tests it was her thyroid that was over or under active.? I don’t which. Sorry. But Since she has been treated for it she has never had any recurrence.

[WildIris]

I have hypothyroid. I noticed that the medicine made by heart feel a little jumpy and I was more likely to get ecotpy and AF, so now I bite a little off the pills every day and my heart is calmer. Not scientific and my blood tests for TSH will be off but that's my experience. I think there's a bit of free T3 in the generic medicine that may be the problem ?

[RaySyl]

There is, of course, a link between hypo and hyperthyroidism and the toxic, but effective, anti arrhythmic drug Amiodarone. I was on Amiodarone for a short time until it buggered up my thyroid function. I am now on Levothyroxine for the duration, which doesn’t appear to be at all problematical.

[Hatten28]

Just want to say, how grateful I am for the response regarding the thyroid affecting the heart rhythm. Unfortunately my daughter has still not been diagnosed and not seen by a cardiologist or similar.On feeling particularly ill , she went to A and E because of breathing problems, she was told to wear a vest! Words fail me, she lives in Northamptonshire, anyone else from that area with advice as to where to get some sensible treatment.