I've suffered with palpitations for a number of years - worse if I drink more than one coffee a day, and worse just before a period. I did go through a stage recently where I didn't have them at all which was bliss, but they seem to have come back since taking NDT. Sometimes they are quite persistent and thumpy!
I have recently had my thyroid checked, and I'm probably overmedicated (TSH 0.01 (0.35 - 4.5), FT4 18.7 (11.0 - 24.0), FT3 7.6 (3.9 - 6.8) so have cut down from 2 grains to 1.5. I did have the shakes slightly, but this seems to be easing now I've reduced. I have always had quite low blood pressure, and pulse - which hasn't changed since starting NDT. Today it is 114/59 and pulse 51 bpm. Pretty typical for me, although I'm sure this is too low!
I take NDT sublingually, and was wondering if this would make the palpitations worse - should I switch to just swallowing it, see if that helps? I have an appointment with my doctor on the 21st, so I'll ask him his opinion then (although I'm self treating, so I'm not sure what his reaction will be, I sense a good telling off coming my way!)
Does anybody happen to know if exercise is safe, with palpitations? I have upped the amount of exercise since feeling better, and I don't really notice them when my heart rate is increased.
Any advice much appreciated!
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sip1
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If you're worried about your palpitations, you can ask your GP for an ECG. I have lots of tests and I have no detectable heart problems. Palpitations can be due to either over or under treatment. Your pulse is very low and I would have thought be increased on NDT. I don't think NDT is made to be taken sublingually and this is an excerpt:-
The consensus? The active ingredients in thyroid medication have molecules that are so large that it is difficult for them to pass through the mucous membranes. Most of the dissolved/crushed medication ends up swallowed, and moves through the digestive system in the usual way. Other factors also affect sublingual absorption, including oral pH, and salivary enzymes.
I think your blood tests look fine. I believe the blood tests were introduced for levothyroxine only and NDT contains T3 so I think your T3 will be slightly higher. Before the blood tests came in patients taking NDT were treated according to symptoms alone and medicated thus.
I would have expected my bp to have raised too - in fact, I thought (hoped) my low pulse and blood pressure was because of my underactive thyroid. Perhaps it will just take time to improve? I'll have been taking it 9 weeks on Thursday, so presumably still early days.
I'll see how it goes on 1.5. If I start to feel under medicated I'll go back up to 1 3/4 and see how that feels I suppose. I'm guessing there's a point where it all needs a bit of fine tuning!?
Never thought of it like that. I just assumed it was being absorbed as it should be - esp as my results show an improvement from my original ones 9 weeks ago?
I don't know if I'd come under athletic though... I swim 3 times a week, 60 mins each time (approx. 78 lengths) and cycle down and back, (10 mins each way), run twice a week and walk the dogs most days. I don't think this is athletic enough!
It is to me I would like to be able to do just one of your activities .lol. Don,t be too hard on yourself. If you remember I started NDT just after you and things are not going as I would of liked but I just lowered it again and taking it at a slower pace.
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