Advice please

[Chapel55]

I am on 50mcg thyroxine daily and have been for quite a few years now. I have suffered with irregular heartbeats since my early 20s (I am now 62). I am sure the thyroxine is making my heartbeats more irregular. What can I do because I obviously need the thyroxine. My last test was 10 and am due s re-test in October.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you get the actual results and ranges from last test. If it was TSH that was ten that sounds too high. But we need more info

You need to know results for TSH, FT4 and FT3. Do you also have high thyroid antibodies? You need to know. Did GP test these? If not ask that they are tested.

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Low vitamins that affect thyroid are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Extremely important to test these. If they are too low they stop Thyroid hormones working.

Have these been tested, if not ask that they are. Always get actual results and ranges.

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

[NatChap]

50mcg is a very low dose, more of a starter dose. I would say that you are likely very under medicated but if you can post results with ranges we could say for definite. If 10 is your TSH then I would go back to your GP immediately (perhaps take some info from the Thyroid Uk website with you) and tell them that you must have an increase in thyroxine x

[greygoose]

I agree, the problem is more likely to be due to under-medication than the levo itself. You should not have been left on 50 mcg for such a long time. Your doctor has been negligent!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I agree with Hidden magnesium is often low when hypo and especially if gut is affected and/or if vitamin D is low.

I found magnesium, was almost as important as going gluten free. Couldn't tolerate any vitamin D supplements until I added magnesium first.

Good daily probiotic good for gut health too.

Fermented foods like kefir too

[Chapel55]

My irregular heartbeat and palpitations get worse the higher the dose. I am at my wits end

[Marz]

How are levels of FERRITIN - FOLATE - B12 ? If any are low in range you can suffer palpitations ... When your dose increases you need more of the aforementioned for all the processes.