Amiodarone

[56dick19]

Hi I was on Amiodarone for at least 2 years with regular blood tests. The main side affect that I had was I couldn’t go in the sun. I could even fill the sun burning me though my trousers. Being a naturist I hated not being able to go to the beach. I hadn’t been feeling unwell for a while and losing weight I had a blood test done in the morning in the evening the doctor rang me and said the I had a over active thyroid that was off the scale and to stop the Amiodarone and go on Carbimazole.

iv been on it for a few months under the hospital have regular blood tests. I noticed that I was putting weight on ever day. Now I have an under active thyroid and been told to stop the Carbimazole now waiting for the next blood test in a few days. Has anyone else had this problem while on Amiodarone please

[Weetabixie]

I have a dear friend on amiodarone. She has to take levythiroxine not sure if from those or apixaban but is supposed to be monitored on both from now on mainly due to vertigo type symptoms. It hasn't been stopped. She suffers from QT syndrome Afib and has had a hole in her heart fitted with a little umbrella like device (sorry I can't remember it's name) via catheterization. All discovered at the age of 53. She had congenital heart disease but never knew until diagnosed with heart failure and onto the above. She is going strong just the vertigo symptoms although it's not vertigo. Very confusing.Have you been prescribed a hormone for your thyroid or had scans of liver etc? Get gp to check kidney and liver function if you can too. I do hope things improve for you and a solution found. Take care and best of luck to you

[56dick19 in reply to Weetabixie]

Hi thanks for the reply. Iv not been prescribed a hormone as yet they did say I may need to go on it got a blood test on Monday to see if it’s sorting it’s self out now I’m off the Carbimazole. Iv not had any surgery just medication. I do I take epixaban which I started taking recently as I had 28 episodes of AF in 9 hours. I also have a ICD. I do hope your friend goes on ok

[Weetabixie in reply to 56dick19]

She's doing well, it isn't permanent effect it happens sporadically but usually ties in when the liver and kidney function tests come back raised. Best of luck with the blood tests Monday and hope it manages to resolve quickly for you

[scentedgardener]

I've not been on Amiodarone, but had a subclinically hyperactive thyroid, and eventually was given Carbimazole while waiting to see an endocrinologist.Have you had a blood test for antibodies to check for Graves/Hashimotos, both autoimmune diseases? Do they plan to refer you to an endocrinologist to determine the best way to get your thyroid within normal range? If not, I would be asking about that.

It can make you feel quite rotten, so I hope they get it sorted soon.

[56dick19 in reply to scentedgardener]

Hi thanks for the reply. I’m under the endocrinologist the blood test for Monday was booked by them and the phone call booked on the 5th is with them so I guess they have checked for everything

[scentedgardener]

That's good. Hope it goes well for you.

[DaveTR]

I was on Amiodarone for about 2 years. The Thyroid problems started when I stopped taking Amiodarone.

A few months after coming off Amiodarone I lost 10 kilos and my brain was constantly on. A blood test showed this was due to an over active thyroid and I was started on Carbimazole.

After experiencing a shock from my ICD (On board defibillator) I was placed back on Amiodarone and my Thyroid became under active and the Carbimazole swapped out for Levothyroxine.

This is now being managed by the endochronology team and I'm receiving regular blood tests as they adjust the Levothyroxine dose accordingly.

I received an Ablation in October '23 and the plan is that I will be able to stop the Amiodarone which I would imagine with have some effect on the Thyroid (again). I wait to see.

I wish you some stability

[road2ruin]

There is no need to be on that drug for that long. It's mainly designed as an emergency drug for short periods. I would speak to your GP or consultant and get changed to something else. If it was prescribed due to afib, then bisoprolol will often be ok instead.

[56dick19 in reply to road2ruin]

Hi thanks for the reply. Amiodorone was given to me by my cardiologist as a last resort as nothing else was working I’m also on bisoprolol taken 12.5 per day. Since stopping Amiodorone Iv started getting more episodes of AF

[road2ruin in reply to 56dick19]

Possibly speak to your GP about an ablation instead. It can often cure Afib with no further drugs needed.

[56dick19 in reply to road2ruin]

Hi my cardiologist has mentioned it but said it probably won’t work for me