Hypothyroid and cardiac function

[shaws]

I came across the following - it does make you wonder what endocrinologists really know about the effects of hypothyroidism.

Excerpt:

Cardiac abnormalities have been studied extensively in patients with

primary hypothyroidism. Various types of cardiomyopathies, dilated or

hypertrophic, increased peripheral vascular resistance, arrhythmias, and

conduction defects have been reported. Almost one-third of patients also

are found to have pericardial effusion that resolves when euthyroidism is

achieved [5].

The exact mechanism of the effect of thyroid hormones on the heart

is still unknown. Many theories have been postulated including a study

conducted on adult rats, which showed that chronic hypothyroidism

affected the coronary arterioles thereby impairing the blood flow. This caused changed in the size, shape and structure of the myocytes leading

to HF [6]. Usually these changes in the cardiac structure and function

are dependent on the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and

generally regress with T4 replacement...........................

The cardiac myocyte is very sensitive to changes in serum T3, and this is evidenced by rapid changes in the expression of T3 mediated genes [7]. Ultimately, it affects the myocyte calcium cycling leading to improved contraction and relaxation and overall enhances the cardiac function. Another possible mechanism is related to increased oxidative stress from reduced glutathione levels in the myocardial tissue causing direct myocardial damage [8]................

Conclusion

While coronary artery disease and hypertension continue to be the most

common causes for heart failure, it is important to consider other causes,

especially thyroid disorders. The clinical features of hypothyroidism, such

as weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, edema, and

slow mentation are usually subtle and the diagnosis may be missed when

they present with heart failure. Patients with sub-clinical hypothyroidism

may not even have any features of hypothyroidism, but have been found

to have cardiac manifestations, which are reversible with replacement

therapy when caught in time. Thus it is very important to keep in mind,

that it’s not always coronary heart disease of hypertension or a cardiac

disease which can cause heart failure, but also rule out hypothyroidism

before it causes permanent damage.

sciforschenonline.org/journ...

[Aurealis]

Thanks for posting shaws. It’s a reminder to all of us to stand our ground and insist that we are treated until optimal. You will know from my other posts that I mean optimally well, not optimal tsh. I have had some of these heart symptoms myself and this is partially why I have had to challenge GPs over time in order to get well.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Aurealis]

You are correct Aurealis - optimal is when we are symptom-free and feel well. Not when the TSH is somewhere in a range. I think the way hypothyroid people are diagnosed/treated is so backward and symptoms unknown by the medical profession - or acknowledged. I hope when Dr Skinner's staff (he died about 3 years ago) who have been cataloguing all of his and staff's scientific findings over the years are able to get sufficient funds to publish. They are very excited.

[Aurealis in reply to shaws]

That sounds exciting - I don’t understand though, what costs are involved with publication? Do you mean privately publishing? Publication in a peer reviewed journal might have more ‘clout’ / impact maybe.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Aurealis]

They were looking to raise £10,000 to publish. I will give a link for info:-

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Blue_feather]

Many thanks for posting this, Shaws.

I am currently listening to a video by *Dr Martin Rutherford whilst reading posts on here, and find it quite jaw-dropping that a chiropractor was making these links 18 months before a cardiac specialist.

Think I will be asking for an ECG on my next visit to the GP.

(* The video on Youtube I am listening to was posted on here a couple of years ago: "Breakthrough Treatments for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis" - extremely useful to newbie's like me, who are still trying to get to grips with the 'ifs, buts and whys' of it all!)

[shaws Administrator in reply to Blue_feather]

We definitely would not have expected to be on forums for particular illnesses because we aren't recovering or the professional advice isn't improving our conditions or symptoms.