Hypothyroidism and sick sinus syndrome

[LynetteP]

I find this forum really useful for explaining some of the things I've wondered about for the last 30 years. A couple of years ago my GP found I had an irregular heartbeat. I eventually saw a cardiologist who diagnosed sick sinus syndrome and said that I didn't need any treatment. The GP thought I needed a pacemaker but the hospital obviously disagree. I know that AF is common with thyroid problems and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the sick sinus syndrome.

[shaws Administrator]

There's no history in your Profile and how long have you been hypothyroid?

Do you feel well on your dose? (I am assuming levothyroxine).

Have you had your Free T4 and Free T3 tested at any time?

The reason I am asking is both are very important tests. You can see on the following link why they are:-

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

Levothyroxine is an inactive hormone and has to convert to liothyronine (T3) and it is T3 which is Active thyroid hormone and is needed in all our millions of T3 receptor cells. The heart and brain contain the most.

When I was given levothyroxine I had awful palpitations (not irregular) but cardiologist was very puzzled and was going to put an implant in heart, but when I switched to T3 only this resolved all my symptoms especially the palpitations. I didn't need to see the Cardiologist again and nor did I need an implant.

Other members will respond if they have sick sinus syndrome.

[LynetteP in reply to shaws]

I was diagnosed with overactive thyroid over 30 years ago and subsequently given radioactiveiodine, which I very much regret. The consultant then abandoned me to the care of GPs and the levothyroxine dose has varied over time. At one time I was taking 300 mcg, I now realise that HRT had an impact on the absorption of thyroxine. The dose has gone down since I found a GP who was willing to do blood tests as and when we agreed necessary.

A couple of years ago the blood tests were inconsistent and I decided to consult an endocrinologist privately. I now am settled on a dose of 125mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg Liothyronine. This has taken away many of my problems and the GP has been very supportive.

It was at the time my thyroid went awry that it was found my heart was beating irregularly and after a consultation with a cardiologist with very poor English the diagnosis of Sick Sinus Syndrome was given. No further action.

So I am interested to know if others with hypothyroidism have this problem. The DVLA, travel insurance etc, were not bothered which is reassuring and it doesn’t stop me doing anything.

[soupybp]

I am equally interested in this question. My primary interaction with this group has been in regard to my daughter's recent hypothyroid diagnosis. Just this morning when reading some of the work of Dr. Raymond Peat I had this self same question. Hubby was born with a congenital heart defect that required significant surgical repair as a young child. In his late teens, he was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome and given a pacemaker. It was also around that same time that he started having mood disturbances that were eventually diagnosed as bipolar disorder. But now I am beginning to wonder if, because of his other heart issues, they just assumed that the low heart rate was sick sinus. And if maybe, just maybe, it was in fact hypothyroidism (his mother is hypo) given that the mood issues started about the same time. Hubby is starting to think that I am turning into some kind of thyroid whacko...

[shaws Administrator in reply to soupybp]

I'd get your husband's Free T4 and Free T3 and TSH checked. It will do no harm and many people are given 'diagnosis' for other things with no regard to testing the thyroid hormones. I was diagnosed with other things before I diagnosed myself and by then TSH was 100.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[mourneadventurer]

Dr Carolyn Dean’s work might be useful for you to read. Her excellent book Magnesium Miracles covers this amongst many other seemingly unrelated symptoms. Dr Dean has a great free ebook called Atrial Fibrillation which is found on her website.

It might be worth your while trialling ReMag either as an ingested liquid or transdermal lotion and ReMyte (Botanicahealth) to see if they make a difference?

I have and then subsequently added ReAlign the vitamin B complex. These specific supplements (as they are picometer in size) alongside the correct T4/T3 combination continue to be transformative.

The heart works on the active hormone T3 only, the thyroid needs a specific set of minerals to function, magnesium is needed in approx 700+ enzyme reactions and vitamin B’s are crucial but depleted easily from dysbiosis in the gut.