Hashimoto's diagnosed 30 years ago

[poet]

Since diagnosis 30 years ago I was put on 200 mcgs of levothyroxine and have remained at that level until a year ago. During this time I had no problems and no awareness of any consequences that could occur when suffering from Hashimoto's syndrome. Four years ago I started suffering from stomach pains and bowel problems and my Doctor suggested a wheat free diet. This certainly helped but my problem returned again about six months ago. When I complained of tiredness to my Doctor about a year ago he increased the level to 225 mcgs but at the next blood test my levels had risen too much so we agreed to revert to 200 mcgs. . However eighteen months ago my heart went into Atrial Flutter but came down of its own accord. Seven weeks ago I suffered again from Atrial Flutter and was in hospital for 24 hours when they put me on Beta Blockers and Warfarin and reduced my thyroxine to175 mcgs. Since then I have felt steadily worse and have a fairly constant pain in my neck in the thyroid area. Being nearly 78 years old, I have never queried what the Doctors say, have no knowledge of my thyroxine levels and had no idea that everything I suffered from could have been due to Hashimotos.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, you are right. Undertreated thyroid gland problems can exacerbate your heart and everything else.

If it is possible, can you get a print-out of your latest thyroid gland blood tests with the ranges from your surgery (you are entitled) and post on a new question for someone to comment upon them. If you haven't had a Vitamin B12, Vit D, ferritin, folate and iron ask your GP to do them and post them (with ranges) too.

You must be quite worried, especially with Atrial Flutter. Betablockers also interfere with the uptake of levothyroxine but I understand the need to take them as I had problems with heart whilst on levo although I left as long a gap as possible between taking levo and beta-b's.

Best wishes

[poet]

Many thanks for this and I will ask my Dr for a print out of my results and as far as I am aware I have not been tested for the B12 etc.