Atrial Fibrillation

[Lozbinder]

Hi. Has anyone been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation as a result of an overactive thyroid?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Yes thyroid problems do cause heart problems, both under and ove thyroids. If not adequately treated this will cause palpitations, ectopics and AF. I believe a number of forum members suffer from these two conditions and hopefully will be along shortly.

[Lozbinder in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi. I am on medication for overactive thyroid and AF but don’t seem to be feeling any benefit. I feel exhausted all the time and still get palpitations. I wondered if anyone else had similar experiences

[10gingercats in reply to Lozbinder]

I developed Afib about 20 years ago and probably had an underactive thyroid at the same time. Felt utterly wretched and endocrinology at local hospital denied any help. I eventually took thyroxine which ed messed up the afib further so I went to a private doc. who prescribed Liothyronine T3.This helped all round. Then much later began to take Warfarin after a min stroke. Now on thyroxine and ok. It can take a very long time to get it all right without understanding docs.

[Deedee328]

My Mum had an overactive thyroid and was told that was the cause of afib.

[Ghost-233]

I was rushed into hospital from my Doctors surgery. Prior to that I had a racing heart and breathlessness plus other symptoms but thought it was anxiety. Turned out I had AF caused by Hyperthyroidism because of undiagnosed Graves’ disease. It was controlled by Carbimazole and for a short time propanolol . After 18 months the Carbimazole was stopped but my symptoms came back. I told the Consultant I did not want radio-iodine treatment so he allowed me to try a small dose of Carbimazole which seems to have worked well for the last 5 years. However in the last 6 months my existing angina has become worse and it is thought I may have a leaking valve. I am awaiting an angiogram and echo. Whether it is connected to hyperthyroidism or not I haven’t been told. Hope you get some answers.

[dogsneedwalking]

I went from under to overactive thyroid then diagnosed with SVT which wasn't controlled by adenosine or any of the other medications you get whilst in A and E. Last time [June] when I went into full SVT I required a Cardioversion. I now am constantly getting 'surges/fluttering' which I told my Cardiologist on my first app [waited 9 months for] due to being non-urgent so was changed from 75mg Levo to 50mg and 1.25 Bisoprolol to 40mg x twice daily of Sotalol but still getting daily 'surger/flutterings' so wondering if my Thyroid Gland is acting up again......................

[Lozbinder]

Thanks for responses all. I’ve been back to GP this morning and actually got an appointment to physically see someone rather than just have a telephone appointment. Turns out my heart rate is through the roof as I’m on far too small a dose of Verapamil, so my dosage has been tripled!! I fear I am a symptom of Covid in that I have been diagnosed remotely without being seen or properly examined. Fingers crossed this new dosage helps. Thanks again for all comments

[Callista]

I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease at 17 years old and have been on levothyroxine for over 50 years after an operation to remove part of my thyroid. I now wonder if the very high dose of 300mg daily was responsible for me developing Afib. In those days levels were not regularly checked and I took this high dose for several years, then 200 micro grams each day. Thyroid problems seem to go hand in hand with Afib. Good luck with your treatment.

[needlewoman22 in reply to Callista]

Following Stress after the death of my father in 1980 I developed hyperthyroidism, and was treated with Carbimizole for about 18 months, after which it was stable, but I did have an ectopic heartbeat-not sure whether as a result of the hyper or not. I was fine for years and eventually developed a thyroid nodule, and was told I was underactive, and I have been on 125mcg a day ever since-15-18 years. I had an episode of AF in 2017, and had potassium and sodium shots in my tummy in A&E and reverted by myself. Since then I have not had a recurrence, but I do take Lixiana each day, plus bisoprolol fumigate 2.5mg. I have omega 3, Vit D, selenium and electrolytes each day too to make sure my mineral levels are good-it's the balance of these minerals that trigger the sinus node, so I figure if they are at optimum levels, I won't get a recurrence, and I haven't. My BP is around 123/68 and I take meds for that. I have asked to see a specialist again, to check all is well, but the GP says no they deal with it, which I am not very happy about as the majority of them know precious little! Hope that's helpful info.