Up and down. : Spoke to my doctor today as I was... - Thyroid UK

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Up and down.

Raymart profile image
13 Replies

Spoke to my doctor today as I was diagnosed over three weeks ago. TSH 0.15.

Received results from a test two weeks after diagnosis that said that my TSH was 0.63.

Symptoms of heart palpitations are up and down. I have explained to the doctor that I believe it may be more heart related rather than thyroid.

Doctor has advised that the thyroid goes up and down and this result does not signify that my thyroid is now sorted it self and I am back to normal.

When asking about expertise she suggested not to run. Only do light exercise. This led me to believe that maybe she felt it may be more heart related.

Any thoughts on TSH improving and the prospect of varying TSH levels would be fab.

I am not yet on medication for overactive thyroid. Only beta blockers have been prescribed for heart.

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Raymart profile image
Raymart
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13 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

That result does not signify that you are hyper, either. I don't really think your doctor knows what she's talking about. As was said on your other two posts, you cannot diagnose hyper on the basis of one lone TSH test, no Frees, no Grave's antibodies. Be very wary of this doctor and insist on proper testing before taking anything.

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7

You can't really compare results either if they weren't taken at the same time. Best time for bloods in first thing on a morning and fasted. (This is a patient to patient time to get the highest TSH reading you can) TSH has a circadian rhythm so it varies through the day and food alters the absorption of Levo. Have you been told to take your medication on waking with a full glass of water to get it down to where it's best absorbed and then nothing else other than water for an hour? There are other things you need to be aware of as well to get the best out of the medication. This forum is run by Thyroid Uk and theircsite is full of useful information.

The doctor should have also told you to return after 6-8 weeks to a rested as most likely you will need and increase of medication. This is repeated until you find the correct dose for you.

It takes 6 weeks for each new dose to be fully into your body hence the retesting then. So you may not. E feeling any different yet as the dose needs to build up. You may find on your next dose that you feel good and then some days later that it's stopped working. Don't worry that is normal as your body welcomes an increased dose but if it's still not enough then that's why you notice the change but it will improve again on next increase. We start on a low dose to get our body used to it and then increase by 25 mcg'S till we are on the correct medication. So it seems to take ages but patience is need and we can't speed it up.

Exercise, well when we start feeling better we want to do more but our body isn't ready for that yet. We need to build up our levels so then deciding to spring clean or take up running just depletes it again so for the moment stick with walking or swimming.

Also get into the habit of asking for a printout of your results, useful for you to know what's happening and to help you understand then please post your results and ranges and then we can help you with that. Ranges are so important though as they differ from lab to lab so without them we would just be guessing.

Anything you are not happy with or done understand then get in touch, someonexwill be able to help you I'm sure.

So glad you have found us but remember to be patient. Nothing happens quickly in the Thyroid world!

Raymart profile image
Raymart in reply to silverfox7

Thank you for your advice.

They haven’t yet put me on any thyroid medication.

Well only beta blockers for the palpitation symptom relief.

clivevsmith profile image
clivevsmith in reply to Raymart

I got palpitations when I was still under medicated. Once taking the right dose for me, I have been fine.

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7 in reply to Raymart

Well hopefully that will follow but most of my post explains more about how to deal with that so that still stands. It can be so confusing when you first start meds but we are all here to help.

CSmithLadd profile image
CSmithLadd in reply to Raymart

Beta-blockers are what are used also to help subdue hyperthyroidism. I agree that your doctor may be out of her depth. She says things, though, that make sense. She knows your irregular heart and palpitations are caused by a thyroid issue. You see, Raymart, it is the thyroid that regulates the heart!

Most have no idea. For 55+ years my body had a heart that palpitated, a heart murmur, and I would skip beats long enough for the next beat to hit with a crashing thud it was so violent. I got used to it. It didn't bother my heart except to make it unusually large. But 55 years of that will overwork a muscle! What I'm trying to say is that it's more than likely not your heart. Trust your doctor on that one and be glad she didn't have you undergo a myriad of unnecessary tests that are highly stressful. I've been through those so many times I can't count. It took decades and decades to figure out something so simple as hyperthyroidism that began as hypothyroidism. I have Hashimoto's and Grave's Disease. Bottom line, because of doctors not being familiar with my history, I now don't have a thyroid at all. Don't get me started on that one.

Save your thyroid at all costs. If it's due to hypo or hyperthyroidism they can basically be one and the same. They all come from the same issue: a thyroid that probably isn't get the nutrients it needs in order to handle your body's systems -- including your heart.

And you no doubt need to see a nutritionist.

You should definitely be checked for thyroid antibodies. Demand it. Your TSH was fine before you went on the beta-blocker. If it's not your heart causing the issues, then it means you need ample (but not too much) of the right type of thyroid hormone replacement for your needs. Everyone is different and their needs therefore differ. Finding your "zone" is what is needed. This is why we have to be proactive in our care. We can know our body better than anyone else.

Get to know your body better by reading all you can and listening to the wonderful people here at Thyroid Unlocked. There is a lot of experience here. Just check out all leads thoroughly. It should make sense when everything fits together and is logical.

Healing hugs to you!

Raymart profile image
Raymart in reply to CSmithLadd

Thank you CSmithLadd.

Fabulously, reassuring advice.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If you are in the U.K. Suggest you get full private testing

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Or a different GP for full testing on NHS

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice, this will test for Hashimoto's too. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

Private testing for suspected Graves - hyperthyroid

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

truthseeker136 profile image
truthseeker136

What meds are u on? I get palpitations on a certain brand of T3. None of the other ones give me palps. I have no idea why. I have just concluded that it is bad quality T3 but those are the only ones i can get my hands on

Raymart profile image
Raymart in reply to truthseeker136

I am on propranolol (beta blocker)

truthseeker136 profile image
truthseeker136

Another thing worth trying is taking some potassium in the form of potassium chloride or cream of tartar (the latter is what they use in 'adrenal cocktail'). If you are taking potassium chloride take only 1/8th a tsp at a time as that stuff is potent. May be get potassium tested beforehand if you are able to do that. I find my dizziness and palps reduce when I take my potassium and increase when i eat Sodium-laden food

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Low levels of iron can cause effects on the heart i.e. palpitations and tachycardia (fast heart rate).

Other nutrient deficiencies can also cause heart problems. You'd need some testing done for the basic nutrients e.g. iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and electrolytes - sodium and potassium.

Magnesium deficiency is very common and it affects the muscles, including the heart. As long as your kidneys are reasonably healthy then you could try taking a magnesium supplement - you would need about 250 - 350 mg per day. There is little point in testing the level of magnesium, because magnesium is usually healthy in the blood stream even if the body's cells are highly deficient. To pick a good magnesium supplement, read this :

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

I get really bad ectopic beats and palpitations when my free t3 is too low. Cardiology says they are not life threatening and also told me that although I could have beta blockers to suppress the symptoms, they would probably make me feel worse as I am hypo and asthmatic. My TSH was 0.45 at the time but free T3 was bottom of range, so TSH tells you very little. Treating heart disease is worth more funding to GP than treating thyroid.

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