What can cause missed hearts beats/heart flutters?

[Melaniejm92]

What things can cause missed beats/heart flutters that occur everyday? (25year old female) they can happen anywhere from once a day to up to 10 times a day and mostly happen when I'm doing nothing e.g watching tv, on phone etc.

[Nurseladybird]

I also get this. It really freaked me out when it got more frequent, so I asked my GP about it and he sent me to a cardiologist. They gave me a portable ECG machine to measure them and said they were benign (not anything serious). Apparently everyone gets them sometimes, even athletes, it’s just that most people don’t notice them. They’re caused by small disruptions to the electrical rhythm of your heartbeat. Mine got really frequent and were starting to make me anxious, so my GP put me on a low dose beta blocker and they’ve been less of an issue.

Mention them to your GP and see if they think they need investigating, but try not to worry 💐

[Melaniejm92 in reply to Nurseladybird]

My GP knows about the missed beats and has done a ECG (no missed beats showed but they said my heart rate was abit fast) and I have had a blood test done which they said was normal but mentioned my iron was borderline? (Not sure what that means) they are sending me to get a 24 holter monitor fitted this month. Did your missed beats happen everyday? I get them everyday but I can have them up to 1-10 a day. Thanks for your help

[Mermaid238 in reply to Melaniejm92]

I can get several in a minute and it seems worse when I worry about it. Still do not know the results from cardiologist No news is good news - I think they would have called me if the monitor showed a problem. I have an appointment on 23rd My GP said if we do not find any thing wrong he can put me on a beta blocker which will ease but not cure.

[mourneadventurer]

Perhaps incorrect level and type of thyroid medication as verified by TSH, T4 and T3 ranges.

T4 to T3 conversion issues.

Electrolyte imbalance caused by a variety of things such as over acidification, Endo toxins from SIBO or SIFO or parasites. Adrenal stress which can impact aldosterone and impact on blood pressure through aldosterone steal.

Magnesium citrate/ threonate will alleviate it but you ‘ll need to start digging. Magnesium can be taken to bowel tolerance and will alleviate cramps and stiff muscles.

Magnesium balances calcium 1:1 and is taken alongside Vitamin D3 and K2. It is best to test vitamin D 3 Sandwell labs do this and ThyroidUK have information on relevant tests. Ultimately your minerals are being depleted. Dr Sarah Myhill recommends Researched Nutritionals Core Minerals on her website which has loads of relevant information.

Also you might consider EMFs as the WiFi, phone and screens are potentially interfering with your hearts electrical signal.

Mercury from vaccines and amalgams are also worth a thought and Dr Chris Shade from Quicksilver Scientific has some brilliant podcasts on YouTube regarding detoxing.

Keep a close watch on heart rate, blood pressure and perhaps have a chat with your GP for possible referral to a cardiologist if it doesn’t improve.

I surmise that being hypothyroid throws our endocrine systems out of sync impacts our sluggish digestive systems which ends up recirculating toxins and heavy metals leading to immune dysfunction and subsequent neuro-inflammation.

My sore left ear, tender base of skull and roof of mouth, high reverse T3 was a clue to an occult infection. When I healed the neuro inflammation the missed beats improved. Might add my Iodine Levels were very low as well.

I work with a Functional Nutritionist on Skype, pm me if you want a name.

A work in progress. My profile is up to date so I can share what I’ve done.

Best Wishes

[Melaniejm92 in reply to mourneadventurer]

I had my thyroid tested through getting a blood test and my dr said it was normal. Only thing she said about my blood test was that my iron was borderline?. My dr has referred me to go and get a 24hr holter monitor fitted this month.

[mourneadventurer in reply to Melaniejm92]

Ask for and post your results on here include ranges. Dr Isabella Wenz’s book on Hashimoto’s root cause is useful to educate yourself. ThyroidUK website is worth searching for additional tests required which give an overview. It would be empowering to find out if your immune system has kicked in, testing Antibodies gives you that information.

Traditional medicine ignores this aspect and undiagnosed occult infections keep going in the background. Another GP test to ask for is CRP as this let’s you know if there’s inflammation going on somewhere.

To minimise potential gut inflammation Possibily try moving to intermittent fasting 18:6 hours with a Mediterranean/ Paleo type diet excluding gluten, sugar, soy, etc.

My profile is up to date and let’s you see what I’ve done to reverse this.

Best Wishes

[Mermaid238 in reply to Melaniejm92]

I am waiting results of my 24 hour monitor - good luck with yours

[Mermaid238 in reply to mourneadventurer]

Thank you. I do take Magnesium. I will PM you

[mourneadventurer in reply to Mermaid238]

The Best Tip for Atrial Fib (Atrial Fibrillation) by Dr Eric Berg DC is worth having a look at on You Tube. It's worth watching for 5 minutes.

[Mermaid238 in reply to mourneadventurer]

Thank you

[mourneadventurer in reply to Mermaid238]

You're very welcome!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask GP to test vitamin D, Magnesium, folate and B12

Can you add your recent thyroid test results. TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus Thyroid antibodies

If not had full testing including antibodies then can get tested privately

You say you have low iron, how low and what prescribed

Private testing- see Thyroid Uk for more info

[Melaniejm92 in reply to SlowDragon]

I had a blood test done, would vitamin d, magnesium, folate and b12 not of shown up on that if it was low? I'll have to see about doing private testing If nothing comes of having a holter monitor fitted, as the doctor said my thyroid was fine and she seems to think I don't need further testing on it. She just said my iron was borderline (not sure what that means) and wasn't prescribed anything for it.

[Ginny_Ickle in reply to Melaniejm92]

Most people are a little low on magnesium, but it doesn't show up on routine blood tests except when extreme.

Vitamin levels are not usually tested unless you push for it. Even then, the doctor may not mention results except when there's extreme deficiency. So it is definitely worth asking, and then worth getting a printout of the results.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Melaniejm92]

When they take blood for a test, they do each test one at a time, and only plan to do a few tests each time. If you want additional things tested, you have to ask for new blood tests.

[T3sortedme]

I’ve had them for years. I used to worry about them but now they are just part of life. They can be worse if I am tired or just starting a cold or virus illness. They can also so increase if our medication is too high or too low. I had them checked a few times in the it’s few years which helped stop me worrying. Do get it checked if you haven’t.

[Melaniejm92 in reply to T3sortedme]

According to my doctor my thyroid is fine so I am not on any medication for it. I am being fitted with a 24hr holter monitor this month.

[T3sortedme in reply to Melaniejm92]

That’s great. They can pick up anything of concern (which is unlikely) and reduce your worries.

[Rmichelle]

Hi i have extremley low iron ferritin alongside thyroid disease, symptons are for iron def-heart flutters and palpitations, breathlessness, anxiety, exhaustion etc, i had a ecg months back and was clear however my gp does seem to think it is connected with me being very iron def so ive just had a 24 hour holter monitor but still awaiting results, your iron level is not brillant at all and you should be trying to raise it as suggested by others to at least 70.

Many people will tell you here that dont take a gps word for it that your thyroid is fine or ok as many many gps get it all wrong and know nothing about how to read the ranges, by law you are entitled to a copy of your blood results and most people here get our copies each month when we have our bloods done. Also most gps will say your iron is fine aslong is it is in range but unfortunatley a gp said the same to me with a level of 25 and a few months later it was 9 and feeling very ill with horrendous heart flutters palps and breathless. Good luck i hope you get your monitor very soon.😊

[Ginny_Ickle]

Have you heard of POTS? Worth considering, especially if this is a problem in queues, on stairs, after meals. DynaInc.org/dysautonomia.

[Nelly18]

Hi melaniejm92. Am replying to you with my situation in case it helps at all but I guess everyone's experiences are different... I have palpitations and have recently seen a cardiologist who has said that I am noticing ectopic beats from an irregular heart rhythm which I knew I had and nothing to worry about. I am also borderline anaemic (at the bottom of the reference range) but (in my case) apparently these two things are not linked. I think a 24 trace followed by a consultation might help to rule out anything and reassure you. I try not to let the palpitations bother me but it's hard sometimes. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nelly18]

Suggest you improve your iron levels, you might find it is linked

Plus your FT3 is very low. I see you are on beta blocker, is that propranolol? Propranolol lowers magnesium and slows conversion/uptake of Levothyroxine

i was stuck on beta blocker for almost 20 years. Cause was actually low FT3, gluten intolerance and low vitamins. More on my profile

[Nelly18 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slowdragon. I thought they might be linked but consultant assured me not. I'm taking iron supplements but not seeing much of an improvement in levels. Can't get any further NHS wise about low T3 and I refused the beta blockers which were different to propanolol as I'm on steroids for asthma. Plodding on but feeling better with taking vit D and B12 supplements too. Glad I found the forum!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nelly18]

Suggest you email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists, some are T3 friendly

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3.

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[Clarrisa]

I am just curious do you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages? Should you have a caffeine intake on the high side that could be a contributing factor.

[Melaniejm92 in reply to Clarrisa]

No I only really drink water/fruit juices etc.

[LAHs in reply to Clarrisa]

Hi Clarrisa, you are so correct about caffeinated drinks. I worked with a guy who, for three years, always had a cup of coffee nearby. It was a joke that Dave was never ready to start anything until he'd had his coffee. One day he was rushed to hospital with a mild heart attack. No permanent damage was diagnosed but he was told to lay off the coffee - he did, he never had another problem with his heart nor his in-borne hyperactivity and said it was the best advice he had ever taken (health wise) and never realized he was doing so much harm with his constant coffee drinking.

[Clarrisa]

The Mayo Clinic website lists seven common causes of palpitations. In addition to too much or little thyroid hormone I thought it interesting they listed hormone changes associated with menstration. Strong emotional responses, depression, strenuous exercises, stimulants & fever were the others.

[LAHs]

Just a little note about irregular heartbeats or palpitations. It's best to find the cause and fix it because the blood flow throughout your whole vascular system has to be kept streamlined. Irregular pumping will cause eddy currents in the blood flow which, should these coincide with part of an artery clogged with plaque, can cause that piece of plaque to flake off, travel into your brain or lungs and cause a stroke. So, while I do not know what causes the heart to beat irregularly, I know it's important to fix it.

And while we are on the subject of hearts, did you know that the cells which make up the heart display the piezoelectric effect. That means that each individual cell vibrates, (or contracts and expands), simply because of their very nature. There are a few crystals which have this property and they are used in clocks, watches and other mechanisms that require accurate and consistent timing. Clocks use quartz crystals, other such crystals are topaz, tourmaline and apatite. The latter is interesting because it occurs in our bones. They each have their own frequency of vibration.