I have CD & am hypothyroid on Leavothyroxine, & am worried about a recent episode of very erratic strong heart beats.

[lamcg]

I've picked the brains of the thyroid community here-very helpful they were! But I've since realised that I feel as if I've glutened myself very badly-don't know how, unless it's rice, which I do have my suspicions about. I've had a couple of these episodes, but very mild, & lasting a couple of hours-this was bad-I was frightened-& lasted about 12 hours. The ECG I had after the last one was fine,& ny GP has requested a 7 day monitor from the local hospital. I don't think it's my heart-it seems generally fine-but it's never possible to get enough time to explain to a GP. It's also very difficult to tell exactly what is playing up!! I'm wondering if this is simply how I'm going to react now-does anybody else experience this problem please?

[Mia1057]

Are you keeping a food diary

[Lynxcat]

Hi Lamcg, It's very frightening when a heart begins to act abnormally and it's surprising how many different things can cause it to do so. If a person has coeliac disease they can be deficient in many different minerals and vitamins which could be one possible cause of either palpitations or eratic heart beat.

Shortage of magnesium causes irregular heart beats.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magne... - See symptoms - last sentence.

Shortage of folic acid causes irregular heart beats.

livestrong.com/article/5383...

Lack of potassium also has similar effects.

Here are a list of things that are known to cause heart arithymia/eratic beats/palpitations:

livestrong.com/heart-palpit...

Also pesticides and insecticides cause many people problems.

Perhaps the best option once you have looked at the possibilities is to ask your GP to test for deficiencies to see if these are an obvious cause. May be also ask if you could sit down with a dietician and look at probable food problems that are know to cause issues.

I have had severe palpitations after ingesting fruit that had been sprayed even though I washed it thoroughly - so I do know how dreadful it makes you feel.

I am a firm believer in aloe vera as a food supplement especially for people, like myself who have coeliac disease.

[HiveMind in reply to Lynxcat]

Hi Lyxcat,

Interested in the aloe vera suggestion. May I ask exactly how it helps you?

Thanks.

[Lynxcat in reply to HiveMind]

Hi BershireBird, I first read about aloe vera in the late 1970's and early 80's when I became interested in nutrition and natural supplements. Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for thousands of years for its healing properties both inside and outside of the body. So well before I was diagnosed with coeliac disease, if I felt my stomach or intestines feel a little sore or uncomfortable I would buy a bottle of aloe vera juice and swallow about a tablespoonful every day until the bottle was finished. After about a day or two I would feel all healed but I still would drink the remainder of the fluid. I have also bought it after having an operation and found it healed up the bruising in just a few days. Now I usually purchase the aloe vera tablets and take a couple every day - they help to keep the stomach, duodenum, small and large intestine healthy and according to what I have read the healing properties travel through the bloodstream to all of the organs and every part of the body to help keep it in good working order. It can act as a natural laxitive if the dosage is increased - but it is mostly known for its wonderful healing properties.

[HiveMind in reply to Lynxcat]

Thank you Lynxcat for your reply, it is very much appreciated.

I think this sounds like something I'd like to try myself.

Thank you.

[Lynxcat in reply to HiveMind]

You are most welcome BerkshireBird, I do not like to run out of it and I even have an edible aloe vera plant on the windowsill! x

[lamcg in reply to Lynxcat]

Thank you too, Lynxcat-I think I'll give it a try. Which ones do you buy?

[Lynxcat in reply to lamcg]

Hi I usually send for Healthspan ones - but sometimes if the liquid version (usually with cranberry) is on offer at Holland & Barrett I treat myself to a bottle of that - pour a tablespoon of it into a glass and add some water.

I keep these in the cupboard ..

healthspan.co.uk/aloe-vera/...

[lamcg in reply to Lynxcat]

Lynxcat-I've just looked on the Livestrong site, & it says that palpitations can be caused by the allergic reaction to eating gluten!! I am of course, very careful, but I know something slipped under the net-we recognise it only too well, don't we. If my 7 day heart monitor comes back normal, I shall talk to my GP about this possibility! Thank you so much-I really don't want to even think I have a heart problem as well as everything else now! You've given me hope!! It makes me wonder, as I seem to be going through a bit of a bad patch lately, how often others manage to gluten themselves-is it just me being careles-or stupid?!!

[Lynxcat in reply to lamcg]

Palpitations are something that some coeliacs get especially before diagnosis or for a few years afterwards whilst they are mending. I should try not to worry - there is a great deal to learn when it comes to gluten. Many stock cubes are leathal weapons - I prefer Kallo organic ones. Cereals also prove very tricky as they often contain small amounts of malt so try and find natural ones - such as Kallo Original puffed rice cereal - or if you are a Rice Krispies fan .. the best cereal on the market is Nature's Path organic Gluten Free Crispy Rice, which is made from whole grain brown rice - small and elongated and naturally sweet. I buy mine from Sainsbury's as in our area it isn't yet available in Morrison's or Tesco's. If you enjoy museli like cereals then make your own - choose something like flaked almonds for the base (they're 99 pence per packet in Aldi and are extra finely sliced) add to this a few walnuts or peacans, some sunflower and sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds if you enjoy them, a few blanched hazelnuts, some ground flax seed (Morrison's sell Prewett's Organic in 175g silver bags), a handful of raisins or sultanas - or your favourite fruits --- check to see if they are coated in flour - best to buy the ones coated in vegetable oil. Add a dash of milk and a good dollop of live Greek Yoghurt and either a drizzle of honey or your favourite jam. This is beautifully tasty, it leaves your tummy content and it is nutritious and healing.

I try to eat in what I would describe as 'primitive' everything as fresh and natural as possible to avoid too much gluten contamination. When I first was diagnosed I found it hard to accept - I knew that I was having problems with wheat but to have to cut out all grains seemed unbelievable to me. It becomes easier once you can fully accept it but to make it so that you can feel as well as possible you really have to embrace it.

Here's a nice little Australian site that I read from time-to-time to get another persepective on life with an autoimmune disease:

sarahwilson.com.au/category...

Here is another one that I also enjoy looking at:

glutenfreeforgood.com/blog/

Hope that you soon feel good again!

Take care, x

[Hidden]

Was it plain rice you did yourself or supermarket micro rice which is sometimes lightly coated with wheat flour, so need to read info carefully.

[lamcg in reply to Hidden]

It was Dioralyte with added rice powder-I use it if I think I'm a bit dehydrated-GP recomended it, so it should be OK. First time I had this problem-but much mildr, was just before I was diagnosed-he said then it was typical of dehydration, so I've presumed that's what causes it-it was so mcu worse this time though! I gave up on rice cakes some time ago, & the last time I had a risotto-default choice in Italian restos-I felt bad. Last time I was bad was after visiting a Thai resto, who advertised catering for people with allergies-that's why it was chosen!! Pretty well don't eat out ay more! Very sad!

[Liana]

I'm also gluten intolerant and have thyroid issues, as well as chronically low potassium (for which I take large doses and am monitored closely by blood tests and a doctor). My sons and I also have this particular heart problem, as did my father when he was alive. We have found avoiding all forms of caffine to be helpful. I also take medication (as did my father) to avoid a build up of gas in the stomach, which also seemed to irritate the problem. I hope our solutions might give you some avenues to pursue with your doctor. Best wishes for success.

[jackieO]

Or could it be the thyroxine? Has your dose been increased recenty?

Palpitations are a feature of excess thyroid hormone.

[lamcg]

Thank you to both of you. My GP monitors my salts, kidney, liver etc as part of my MOT, which I had recently, & all was within range!! So unless something I do causes a sudden swing, I don't suppose it's that, although despite bloods to the contrary, I still think I have dehydration problems, which could come to the same thing maybe? My Thyroxine hasn't been increased, no, but it can also be caused by undermedication-the bloods indicate I'm a bit overmedicated, but that's the level I need to feel well! I do wonder if it's some salt problem-I can't believe that damaged villi will always grow back normally, so absorbtion may be a problem for us. I was diagnosed 4 years ago, but my GP suspects that I've had CD at least all my adult life, from what I've told her-I'm 65 now!! That's a long time! My 'gut reaction' if I can use tha term here, is that it is conected with salt/water balance, but again, my bloods say no dehydration,now or in the past few weeks

[Lynxcat in reply to lamcg]

What sort of drinks do you have on a daily basis and how many of each? Do you have drinks with fat in them such as milky tea or coffee as the milk (if you are able to have it) is of great help. The other thing is are you having enough salt? So many programmes on television advise us all to cut down on salt - but if you avoid processed food and use only a little salt when cooking vegetables if could be a fine balancing act if you are getting quite enough. There are many websites - here are just a few that explain about salt in the diet:

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

naturesemporium.com/health-...

thehealthierlife.co.uk/natu...

[Hidden]

lamcg, have you had your thyroid levels checked recently because palpitations are very common if your T3 and T4 levels aren't quite right. You may need to have a look at your medication..some people end up taking a mixture of different doses to cater for your body. There are some foods that can interfere with the thyroxine.

[Sappho]

I agree with all the suggestions given above...if you have checked out these things then obviously this is something we are all missing.

I had this problem out of the blue after months of being fine on a low dose of levothyroxine. My heart would pound suddenly and even wake me up in the night. It felt like a sudden overdose of caffeine hitting me! I could find no possible cause of them after writing a food diary and keeping check on everything I did.

I was tested for adrenaline problems and the levels were fine. The sudden heart palpitations continued and I had my hormones tested, and they were fine as well.

Then someone suggested taking Dandelion Root capsules to help my allergies and since I started taking them the heart palpitations have stopped and I feel great again.

Hope you get it sorted out, it can be very frustrating and frightening when they happen.

[lamcg]

Thank you very much for all your suggestions-too many to think about all at once, but I'll keep them to hand, & discuss them with my GP,if I think them relevant. Like yours Sappho, they just come out of the blue-normally my GP tells me my BP & HR are 'enviable' good news at 65! But I get the feeling it is something to do with salt balance/fluids. Although, the CD people have pointed out it can be part of the allergic reaction to gluten-I know a bout of that coincided with the last experience of palpitations! It does point to how little we understand of this complicated bodies we inhabitat! I'll keep on looking for the answer, & pass it on if I find out! Thanks again!

[FionaGFG Administrator]

Iamcg - You need a full discussion with your GP.

In short:

1) Thyroid meds being out of balance cause the exact symptoms of irregular heartbeat that you describe so this is the most obvious point that needs to be checked with your Dr

2) Low iron/ Ferritin also causes heart palpations - have you had these checked?

3) What is the emphasis on dehydration for? How much water do you drink in a day?

It is unusual for people to have a true allergic reaction to gluten.

Also bear in mind:

"From within the body, abnormal levels of electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and calcium can cause palpitations. Anaemia and hyperthyroidism are also potential causes of palpitations."

4) have you had these checked? i.e B12 - pernicious anaemia is 3 times more likely in people with thyroid problems

5) See your Dr and ask to see your Endocrinologist for specialist advice

Keep us posted on your progress.

[lamcg]

Thank you, GFG-yes, I've just had all of these checks, & an ECG, & am waiting fo a 7 day heart monitor reading from my hospital. Everything came back as very good. I know my thyroxine is a little high, but when we tried to drop it, all the usual symptoms reappeared, so we reverted. I drink a good vol/day-the dehydration idea comes from the time when I was diagnosed with CD having suffered about 2 months of debilitating diarrhoea, & having the first attack then. I was told by my GP it was classic dehydration-it feels much the same now-just worse, as do all my CD symptoms when I get a flare up. It is even hard to work out which of the 2 problems is causing something like this problem!

[Mia1057]

Hi have you had your TSH T3 and T4 checked because if like me you have Hashimotos Thyroiditis then Thyroxine may not be the whole answer and your over medication be the cause of the palpitations. Used to happen to me all the time before Hashimotos diagnosis

[lamcg]

It's true, I don't know what the cause of my hypo is-other than I had a partial thyroidectomy about 45 years ago. You didn't ask in those days, especially when you were only 20, & your mother thought doctors were one down from God! I simply suddenly became very ill, & was eventually diagnosed with hyper & thyrotoxicosis-I was very sick indeed by the time they decided what was wrong with me! I shouldn't think there's any point to, or way of knowing, now! I suppose I should raise it with my GP, but in general, I feel very well-I don't want to rock the boat-especially as it could just a easily be CD!! Thank you though-I'm keeping a note of all the suggestions you kind people are making, ffor future discussion with medics.