Palpitations

[Chapel55]

I've suffered for years but they got considerably worse round about Christmas last year after I had flu. I've had 24hr monitor, 7 day monitor both inconclusive. Recently had a heart scan and get results on Thursday. Heart doesn't race as such. Starts as a fluttering which gradually gets unbearable then my heart misses beats. It's accompanied by me coughing for England. Cardiologist told me some years ago it's nothing just ignore it. Easier said than done. He increased my propranolol to 80mg a day but no different. No pains but occasionally feel light headed. It happens every day mid afternoon and can last for hours leaving me absolutely drained. Am also on 50mcg thyroxine per day. Any ideas? Rather hoping scan does show a problem then at least I will not feel such a fraud

[greygoose]

Palpitations can be a symptom of under-medication for thyroid. 50 mcg is only a starter dose, how long have you been on that? When did you have your last tests? You're probably under-medicated.

[Marz]

Your post yesterday gave you so many good suggestions to help you.

Maybe try to follow the ideas people suggested to improve things ....

[shaws Administrator]

I think your dose may be too low. Usually 50mcg is a starting dose with 25mcg increments every six weeks until you are symptom free and your TSH should be 1 or under. Not somewhere in the range as most doctors believe - wrongly.

All blood tests for thyroid have to be at the very earliest (TSH is highest then and that's all they seem to look at.

Make an appointment for the earliest, etc. and also ask GP to test TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and those he or lab wont do, you can get those from one of our recommended labs.

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Deficiencies can also cause symptoms. B12, for instance it is now recommended to be around 1,000 but doctors are happy if results are somewhere in the range.

I had severe palpitations when on levo but yours may well be caused due to too low a dose. Levothyroxine is T4 and inactive. It has to convert to T3. T3 is the only Active hormone required in all of our receptor cells and we cannot function unless it is optimum. Our heart/brain contain the most receptor cells.

[jgelliss]

My sympathy to you Chapel55 . I had sever palpitations and high blood pressure when I was under dosed . I can tell as you well know it's scary and very unpleasant and very debilitating too . Check your Iron /ferritin levels too . Like greygoose and Shaws said 50mcg T4 is a low starting dose . For conversion purposes T4 to T3 Selenium is very helpful .The other nutrients Shaws mentioned are very crucial for thyroid meds to work well for us . Also you might want to check if the fillers in your T4 might not agree with you . I was on Synthroid and I can tell you that it was causing me palpitations because of the fillers plus the yellow dyes in the tablets that are above 50mcg . I am now on generic T4 and only dose with 50mcg multiple times a day so that I don't get any dyes and the least fillers .

Wishing you fast and successful out come .