Does anyone have any heart issues?

[Tcharmon]

Does anyone's heart seem to beat harder while taking levothyroxine? Mine seems to be at night around 9 p.m. I walk daily about 2 miles and don't get out of breath or feel bad. Only at night does my heart seem to beat harder, not faster or no skipping beats, just harder. Thnaks

[shaws Administrator]

My heart played up before I was diagnosed. It also played up when given levothyroxine. Most times our heart is affected when we aren't on sufficient thyroid hormones as they are required by everything in our body, heart and brain contain the most receptor cells.

Have you taken your pluse/temp several times a day so you have a record. I bought a pulse/blood pressure monitor as at times my pulse was too fast.

Normally, before being diagnosed our pulse is low as is temperature. They should come back to near normal when we are on an optimum dose.

Maybe towards evening your T3 has reduced and that's why your heart is slightly affected.

When next blood test is due it has to be the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow 24 hours gap between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Ask if your doctor can test Free T4 and Free T3 and I'll give you a link and you can also show your GP why it would help to know why your heart is playing up. I believe they believe only TSH and T4 is the only ones necessary.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Tcharmon in reply to shaws]

Thank you, very helpful

[Gill007]

I have had an under active thyroid for over 2 years now . I take 75 mg of levythyroxine but have asked to he referred to a specialist as I still don't feel right . My heart pounds so much in the night that it wakes me up . I feel like adrenaline is surging through me . I had an ECG but that came back normal . I am looking to change my meds when I see a specialist x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gill007]

My tests also were normal and Cardiologist was puzled.

I had them at all times of the day. Worst was in the middle of the night until I switched to T3 only. I'm not saying that T3 would be the solution for everyone.

This might be helpful.

doctorkatend.com/what-reall...

[Tcharmon]

Thanks, I am glad it's not just me.

[Saayan]

I hope you are not taking your medication at night

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Saayan]

Why do you say that?

[Saayan in reply to helvella]

Whenever my dad took his levo at night always had problems with palpitations and varied heartbeats, for me it works normal even if taken at night, I am on 200 mcg and he is on 50 mcg

[shaws Administrator in reply to Saayan]

Your Dad's dose seems very small at 50mcg.

Has he had recent blood test results with the ranges you can post.

[Saayan in reply to shaws]

He is mostly stayed bw 50 & 100 , he was on 100 and came to the lower end of the TSH range hence put on 50 and doing ok , next test due in june.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Saayan]

Did your father have his test at the earliest possible time? fasting? and did he allow a 24 hour gap between his last dose of levo and the test? If not his results could be skewed and the last thing a doctor should do is adjust our medication due to the TSH only. It is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day. To drop his dose by half isn't wise, I believe and I'm not medically qualified.

The two most important blood tests are Free T3 and Free T4. Levothyroxine is inactive and it has to convert to T3, I doubt a 50mcg dose would provide sufficient T3 which is the only active hormone and is required in all of our receptor cells. The brain and heart contain the most and they need T3 to function normally. We need a TSH of 1 or lower.

[Tcharmon in reply to Saayan]

No first thing in the morning

[blondpalomino]

Hi,

I was quite well on 75mcg thyroxine and 20mcg T3,until the doctor asked me to try just thyroxine,due to the cost of T3.

First they put me on 125mcg thyroxine,my heart was thumping, my pulse was over 100,blood pressure was 180 over 90.I was afraid I was having a heart attack! I reduced to 100mcg thyroxine, but still had the thumping heart and high blood pressure.

I noticed it particularly at night,annoying because I could hear it all the time.

I reduced to 75mcg thyroxine , but was too fatigued on that alone.

Now thankfully I am back on the 20mcg T3 again with the 75mcg thyroxine,so hoping they don't take it away again,or I don't know how I will survive.

[Tcharmon in reply to blondpalomino]

I have an appointment Friday. Will ask about the T3. Only on 50mg. Levothyroxine now.