Is low resting heart rate normal?

[Diane17884]

I've been using the Samsung health app to track my heart rate every morning and becoming a little concerned it's too low. Its been on average around 51-53 bpm but this morning it was 48bpm. I'm speaking to my doctor on Tuesday so I'm going to mention it. I'm 34 with hashi/hypo. Should I be concerned?

[ScarletWoodland]

I'm many miles from an expert on these things (and my RHR has always been a little high) but that does sound very low to me. Are you feeling okay? Any worse? xx

[Diane17884 in reply to ScarletWoodland]

Im actually feeling better than I've felt in a long time 🤷‍♀️ More energy, less fatigued, dizziness is gone and feeling less weak. Concentration is better and anxiety has improved. I'm eating and sleeping well and just generally able to cope better. All since I started levo. But from the past when I've felt well (before thyroid symptoms) my RHR has usually been in the 70s, never seen it as low as this before 🤔

[ScarletWoodland in reply to Diane17884]

That's great to hear! Perhaps the anxiety has just been masking how low your RHR really is, so it's gone down as your anxiety has lessened.

I'd definitely make a big deal about it with the doc on Tues, if only as an excellent argument for a dose increase. It's a lovely RHR for an olympic athlete but for the rest of us, it's very much bradycardia. Heck, mine was in the mid 70s when working out 4 hours a day, as a fit, healthy 16 year old!

[Diane17884 in reply to ScarletWoodland]

Thanks scarlet, yeah I'm definitely going to mention it. I'm not even close to an Olympic athlete quite the opposite haha. But It does seem too low for someone my age even with hypo. Good thinking about the Increase. I'm getting my latest blood results tuesday too and was hoping for one. So I suppose it just gives me another good reason lol

Hope your doing well 😊 x

[G2G2]

How's your blood pressure?

[Diane17884 in reply to G2G2]

Hi G2G2

It's fine as far as I'm aware. Every time the Doctor has taken it she's said it's perfect altho she also said my pulse is fine too 🤷‍♀️ So not sure if it's a new thing as only started checking it myself in the last 6 weeks and haven't had it checked from doc in that time.

[Achilles_Pain]

My resting heart rate is 48-50, even when sitting at my desk at work in a stressful situation (sometimes feel I'm banging my head against a brick wall). I'm a runner, but by no means In contention for any prizes, just an also ran.

[Diane17884 in reply to Achilles_Pain]

Hi achilles,

Thanks for your reply. Are your thyroid levels optimal? Just wondering if it's a sign I'm undermedicated.

[AnnaSo in reply to Diane17884]

Low pulse and blood pressure are certainly signs of under performing thyroid - same here!

[Achilles_Pain]

I don't think they're optimal, based on my last test (TSH increasing), but increasing my dose of thyroxine, even slightly, made me ill. I'm considering getting a full thyroid blood test privately, GP usually does just TSH with occasional T4.

[Diane17884 in reply to Achilles_Pain]

Could well be a sign we're undermedicated then. I'm Just trying to work out if it's anything I should worry about or if it will improve over time with meds. I'm newly diagnosed so it's a waiting game to find my correct dose. Sorry your not reacting well to thyroxine sounds like a nightmare as it's the only thing most doctors will prescribe

[Achilles_Pain]

A friend in my running club has a resting hb of about 42-43, it's not too uncommon amongst athletes, even slow tail runners like me.

Thanks for your concern, I'm usually ok on Thyroxine. Not perfect but not like I was when I was on nothing. I think I'm just having a bad patch at the moment with lots of my symptoms rearing their nasty little heads. Most are only minor irritants (eg itchy ear canals, eye lashes falling out, dry/tender skin on forehead) but when they all come at the same time along with my main issue (sore Achilles, muscles and other tendons) I know I'm going to struggle.

[G2G2]

Hope your BP is fine.

[Diane17884]

I spoke to my doctor today. She's agreed to an increase in levo to 75mcg. So we're going to see how I get on with that and if it helps my low heart rate. If not she's going to send me for an ECG. She did offer an ECG now but I said I don't mind waiting to see if the Increase helps. Fingers crossed!