Heart thumping with hypothyroidism?

[janesp]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has had the feeling that their heart is thumping or beating too fast with under-active thyroid? I've just been re-tested and my TSH level is 5.6 or 5.8 (doctor just phoned - haven't got full results yet). I've been feeling very bad as have also had a chest infection (yay). It's a symptom that frightens me quite a bit, assumed it was more the over-active version that would do that.

[Rmichelle]

Hi there i have been hyper with a thumping fast heartbeat and now hypo with a fast heartbeat, it can also hapoen when you are overmedicated and undermedicated your tsh is near to where mine is. You may find you get breathless with it aswell- ive had around 5 ecgs since july so i know its not my heart but if you are worried please contact gp.x

[janesp in reply to Rmichelle]

Yes, have had the breathlessness as well. I'm going to see GP this Thurs. It's a bit scary given that I'm over 50

[humanbean]

Does your doctor plan to treat you?

Palpitations are common with hypothyroidism. Tachycardia (heart rate of 100+) is also common.

Another contributing factor is low iron, which is also commonly found in people with hypothyroidism. Unfortunately doctors think any level of serum iron or ferritin (iron stores) is fine as long as it is in range or even (in some cases) below range. What hypo people need is optimal iron with ferritin around mid-range.

rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

Just noticed you mentioned breathlessness. That can also be caused by low iron/ferritin and/or hypothyroidism.

[janesp in reply to humanbean]

Yes, I wondered that. I was taking Floradix liquid for a while until recently as was trying to help myself feel better after having a chest infection for so long.

[janesp in reply to humanbean]

Yes, they are going to up the Levo. to 75mcg and then test again after a month. I am considering getting a private blood test to check thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels as well.

[humanbean in reply to janesp]

It would be well worth doing if you can afford it.

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

The above test bundles aren't identical but they are fairly close, and they are very popular.

[Clutter]

Janesp,

If you are taking Levothyroxine you are undermedicated to have TSH 5.6 and that can cause breathlessness. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

If you are not diagnosed yet it may be the chest infection/virus which has elevated TSH and you should have a repeat test in 2-3 months when any infection/virus is expected to have resolved.

[janesp in reply to Clutter]

Thanks. I will be asking for a print out of my test results as think I need to look into this more myself. This may sound like a silly question but I'm not sure what you mean by diagnosed? The doctor noticed that my TSH level was in the under-active range some ago on a full blood count test. I was put on 25mcg and then 50mcg.

[Clutter in reply to janesp]

Janesp,

By diagnosed I mean the doctor considered your thyroid levels too low and prescribed Levothyroxine replacement ie you were diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

[janesp in reply to Clutter]

Ah I see, yes. I'm wondering whether it would be useful to have the thyroid antibodies test. From what I've read, hypothyroidism is usually caused by Hashimotos, so I guess GP's don't test for that as they assume that is problem?

[Clutter in reply to janesp]

Janesp,

Check first with your GP receptionist. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) may have been tested when you were first diagnosed.

[janesp in reply to Clutter]

Thanks.

[trelemorele]

Yes I had this and I was severely hypo then.

It was very scary. It wasn't palpitations but very fast hear beats I could actually see my chest moving and always right before I went to bed. It was so scary I thought I'll have a hear attack and die at night.

It's one of the symptoms if you look at more comprehensive info on under active thyroid.

[janesp in reply to trelemorele]

Thanks! Yes, I've been very worried about this, often wake up with heart pounding away. I kept thinking surely it wouldn't do this if just hypo. !

[trelemorele in reply to janesp]

Oh my I feel for you.

It was very scary time for me as I didn't know what's happening. With palpitations (which I had since childhood) I've learned to manage it and know how to stop it as well. But this type - nothing was working to stop or calm the heart down.

Are you going to get your medication soon if not on any, or get an increase soon?

Your thyroid is struggling going by the TSH from your post.

[janesp in reply to trelemorele]

Thanks I'll be picking up the increased Levo. dose later today, just hope it works quickly as have felt very rough indeed, not to mention feeling like my brain has stopped working!

[trelemorele in reply to janesp]

Good.

Take increased difference ASAP. Don't wait till next dose I.e next morning. And from tomorrow morning go with the new higher dose as well.

It should resolve within couple of days or even sooner in your case.

I was very hypo with TSH> 74 so I think mine took couple of days to disappear and never come it back.

Good luck 😃

[wowserclo]

I’ve had this it’s come and gone since I got ill. I hate it. Feels scary. Also had ecg which came back normal. Doesn’t help when it happens though. I empathise. Try not to worry you aren’t alone xx

[janesp in reply to wowserclo]

Thanksx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to get GP to test ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D

Low ferritin can cause breathlessness

Low magnesium is common if vitamin D is low too

You are extremely under medicated to have TSH so high on Levothyroxine

The aim is to increase dose by 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

You need to know if it's Hashimoto's. If it is then trying strictly gluten free diet is likely to help

[janesp]

I called into GP's to pick up test results. They had only tested TSH which came out as 5.75 and was marked as 'mild'!

Have ordered a full thyroid check via MediChecks which includes a check on antibodies.

Might get vitamin/mineral levels checked in the New Year depending on what it says. It will have to be private as GP is not bothered/pretty useless to be honest.