Are heart issues related to Hashimotos

[Debnol]

Hi all.

I posted results recently relating to my under active thyroid. Mainly to see if I had Hashimotos (tpo <600) . My rheumatologist revered me for a heart echo, this has come back as ejection fraction 40% and grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. referred to a cardiologist now! My question is, could this be my thyroid causing the issues? Or lupus, which I am also being investigated for!

[Saltwater]

Hi Debnol. Your doctor may be just looking into possible causes at this stage. Both Lupus and thyroid issues can affect the heart. Under active thyroid can present as slower heartbeat and can also cause palpitations or skipped beats. Overactive thyroid can cause the heart to beat too fast and can also cause palpitations or skipped beats, also. Lupus can affect the heart and cause irregular, rapid heartbeat and since many symptoms are similar, it may be necessary to rule things out.

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos last year and since then, I have been to the doctors numerous times about my heart. I was also referred to cardiology and wore a monitor for palpitations and had 2 ECG's. Doctor says my heart is fine but it has been very stressful going for the tests because I didn't see how it was related and caused me a lot of anxiety which made the palps worse. The thing is, sometimes it is related, sometimes, it's just about being on the safe side and when doctors aren't always sure what it is, they'd rather rule out all the things that it isn't! Process of elimination!

It's best to be getting checked out, even though it is frustrating and I appreciate it can be concerning. Fingers crossed everything will work out fine for you.

All the best.

[Debnol in reply to Saltwater]

Thanks saltwater.

I think the main concern was the ejection fraction at 40%. Slightly alarming. My thyroid is under active but my heart beat is really fast, always. I put the breathlessness down to my lungs as suffered pleurisy so many times. I’ve had non visible blood in urine for 16 months and they can’t find out why. Really don’t want a kidney biopsy if I can help it. I feel like a hypochondriac 😳 ! My liver is good tho haha.

I hope you are feeling well as can be.

Thanks again.

[Saltwater in reply to Debnol]

Debnol, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am afraid that I don't know too much about this to advise but I have read that low ejection fraction may cause breathlessness and an irregular fast heartbeat as the heart may not be pumping blood as effectively as it could. Your thyroid issues may further influence this since thyroid regulates the heart beat too. Even though I have under active thyroid, my heart rate is often too fast and I have anxiety which makes it sometimes hard to breathe. I wake up in the night sometimes gasping! Not overly pleasant. I think I hold my breath in my sleep or something! Either that or my partner has had a go at me with a pillow!

It's good that you can laugh about things. I often joke with my partner that between us all, we make up one fully working person! Both of us and the kids have problems and bits and pieces of us either don't work or are in the process of breaking! LOL

With regard the urine, on the plus side, non visible blood in urine is typically less serious than visible blood.

I also have bladder issues. I only found out that I had Hashimotos because I went for a blood test because of urine frequency (typically I go about 20+ times a day) and they found the thyroid issue that way. I ended up having multiple tests, scans and a cystoscopy. Worse thing is, I am still non the wiser. I just keep getting passed around.

I really hope you can get some answers soon. The worse thing is all the uncertainty.

All the best to you Debnol.

[Debnol in reply to Saltwater]

Thanks so much saltwater. I hope you too find answers. Keep smiling and joking. It really is the best thing to do 😁