Amiodarone and pre-existing hypothyroidism

[Moremy]

I was wondering if anybody has any experience of this.

I have persistent Afib which we’ve stabilised after several cardio versions and an cryo ablation but as soon as I come of Amiodarone revert back into Afib. I’m awaiting a thermo ablation and hope that this will allow me to come off this awful medication. I have been treated for and under active thyroid for 20 years

Recently for no reason, not over eating or any changes to my diet I have piled on 2 stone, have a puffy face and eyes, headaches, hair is thinning and unbelievable fatigue. Could this be the amiodarone that is lowering the effects of the levothyroxine? Blood tests don’t show a need for any changes to the dosage I’m on 75mg daily.

I understood that amiodarone could interfere with the thyroid but to not by lowering but I’m struggling with all the symptoms of my thyroid not working enough.

I would love any advice you can offer.

[10gingercats]

I speak only for myself as we are advised to do. When I was prescribed Amioderone the cardio. overlooked the fact that my thyroid needed treating It was treated and I was not prescribed the Amioderone..As I understand it Amiodorone should not be taken if you have thyroid problems but there may be exceptions. You really need to speak to your cardio. about this

[Moremy in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. Thinking about it the Arrhythmia nurses are really good at my hospital, I’ll contact them.

[Desanthony in reply to Moremy]

Hope you get help from cardio nurses and they can help sort you out.

[Jajarunner in reply to 10gingercats]

I have under active thyroid and take amiodarone. I've had to increase the dose slightly and it has been a bit erratic but I feel great👍

[Moremy]

Thank you, that’s interesting. I’ll have to check in the doctors but it’s good to know others experiences.

[Ducky2003]

I have had hypothyroidism for about 17 years following radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism.Had the AF nearly 8 years and been on Amiodarone continuously for 2 years.

The Amiodarone has not affected my thyroid numbers and I'm on the same dosage of Thyroxine as I have been for about 10 years.

If your Thyroid numbers are within range, I can't see its that which is causing any symptoms you have and would think it's more likely to be one of your medications....... presumably you are on more than just Thyroxine and Amiodarone.

Anticoagulants can cause hair thinning and I've had some of that.

As others have said, have a chat with your Dr or even your local pharmacy.

[Moremy in reply to Ducky2003]

Yes I’m taking Edoxaban anticoagulant also, I suppose any medication has its side effects but hopefully they sort or manage the problem. Thank you, keep well

[Auriculaire in reply to Moremy]

There is a big difference in the top and bottom of the "normal" range for both TSH and free T4. If your labs range for TSH is 0.5 to 5 ( quite common) and before the Amiodarone your TSH was say 1.5 and now it has gone up to 4.8 both levels are "normal" but the rise could give you symptoms of being under treated ( which all your symptoms could be) . The TSH level at which a person feels good differs enormously between individuals . You should never let a doctor tell you "it's normal there's no problem" when it comes to thyroid levels. ALWAYS ask for the numbers. If your TSH is near the top of the range insist on a rise of dose to bring it further down. 75 mcg is a small dose anyway.

[Bodydoctor12]

Hello. When I spoke to Dr O in Tokyo about a mini maze operation his concern was the stability of my thyroid given that I take thyroid supplementation. His take was that he wouldn’t be able to use Amioderone post op for that reason.

I wonder if the issue you’re having is to do with how your thyroid is using the Levothyroxine? Perhaps you’re having problems converting from T4 (Levo) to T3 - the active form of thyroxine. Have you had a full thyroid blood count including these to check your levels? Perhaps the Amioderone has interfered with that conversion. TSH levels alone won't tell you anything.

[Moremy]

The blood test I’ve had is TSH but never the others to see how I convert the thyroxine. In the NHS app now available you can see which tests have been taken and the results. So definitely I’ll go back to GP and request the others also. Thank you and I hope the mini maze procedure is successful.

[Auriculaire in reply to Moremy]

You might get free T4 but I'd be amazed if you get free T3. You are more likely to be given the usual guff about TSH being all that is necessary.

[Ducky2003 in reply to Moremy]

My tests always include T4 as well as TSH.

[FancyPants54]

If you go to the HealthUnlocked Thyroid board and search for waveylines you should read her recent story of Amiodarone and hypothyroidism. It's been a nightmare for her.

[Qualipop]

Have you ever looked at the website "Stop the thyroid madness? I found it years ago when I had thyroid nodules. I'm not specifically recommanding it but it does put a different slant on the treatment. It says, "The updated revision of "Stop the Thyroid Madness: A Patient Revolution Against Decades of Inferior Treatment"; "STTM II".

[waveylines]

Indeed it could be the Amiodarone. Amiodarone has two major levels of effects on thyroid:-1. It inhibits the thyroud gland so produces far less T4 & T3.

2. At peripheral level it reduces uptake of T4 & T3 and on top of that reduces conversion of T4 to T 3 .

3. It's contrary indicated for people eith existing Hypothyroidism. But it can be prescribed if no other option.

4. It has a ridiculously long life. Supposedly a half life of 90-142 days and I read 8-1× months to leave your body. However ut stores itself in your organs and fatty tissue.

I was on it for four weeks....it completely messed up my thyroid hormones and I found I could not tolerate my usual dose and ended up on 25% of the usual amount. Its over 5 months since it was stopped but I can only now tolerate about 70% of my usual DTE dose.

The reason why your bloods tests looks fine is because the problem is at cellular level. For example think of a thyroid tablet....you swallow its absorbed into the blood stream. But if your body can only use say 25% of it then the rest stays in the blood until your body can excrete it. So blood tests look optimal but you feel under treated and are symptomatic.

[waveylines]

And I meant to add is the your symptoms are classic signs of hypothyroidism.....ISo what do you do? Well I was on a conbination treatment so had to reduce dose. My treatment could be stopped after 4 weeks. Am told roughly 6 months before I'd be over it. I'm nearly at that mark, better but not over it.

In your case maybe they would look at an increase or maybe a bit of T3. However as its the cellular level it eont necessarily help at cellular level.

I'd be asking for the alternative drug to try that does NOT affect thyroid. Begins with D....sorry can't remember it's name. This does not affect thyroid. Even so please bare in mind even when stopped the long period of time Amiodarone takes to exit your body.

Hope this helps.