Flue and thyroid medication

[Everdean]

I have the flu at present and have had the lead up to it for some weeks now. I notice that I am getting palpitations as if I was hyper thyroid. When fighting these viruses do we need to adjust our thyroid meds?

Thanks for any feedback. I'm desperate to recover.

[Hillwoman]

I'd be interested to know myself. I'm answering to bump your post up the list, in the hope people will notice it.

[Clutter]

Everdean and Hillwoman ,

I've never seen anything to suggest that thyroid dose should be adjusted because one has flu or another virus or illness.

I hope you feel better soon, Everdean.

[Hillwoman in reply to Clutter]

I have read that in euthyroidism, i.e. normal health, the body will reduce production of T4 and T3 during acute infection, but I don't know by how much. It's a protective mechanism.

[Clutter in reply to Hillwoman]

Hillwoman,

Yes, it does but that doesn't mean one should reduce thyroid replacement dose.

[Hillwoman in reply to Clutter]

I understand that, but it would be useful to know more about it. I find that on T3 monotherapy I have to make seasonal adjustments to my dose, and I've wondered if adjustment might also be appropriate during acute illness.

[Clutter in reply to Hillwoman]

Hillwoman,

If you have some natural thyroid function presumably it will become lower during acute illness so I wouldn't think it necessary to reduce replacement hormone dose too.

[Hillwoman in reply to Clutter]

I'll bear that in mind. Thanks.

[Everdean]

Actually I was wondering if there should be an increase of medication. Thankyou all for your input.

And thankyou for your good wishes Clutter.

[Everdean in reply to Everdean]

That was a silly thing to say about increasing meds.

Please put it down to brain fog and flu.

[HEA72]

Hi, I have flu too at the moment and hypothyroid but not on meds. I too find that flu causes heart palpitations. I think this is the adrenal glands increasing the cortisol and adrenaline trying to cope with the infection. I find extra rest helps reduce the palpitations down. Hope you feel better soon. Mine's dragging on for weeks