Ectopic heart beats .

[Contra21]

Hi all i had my thyroid removed in 2012 with radio iodine after failed attempts to fix my graves. Last 4 yrs on and off i get heart farts i like to call them pauses and they terrify me. Anyone else get these or vertigo? I want them gone! Crippling with fear from them. I seen cardiologist electrophysiology dr holter elg ecg all normal bit they dont stop. I have a shit home life full of stress also.

[shaws Administrator]

Are you taking levothyroxine only? I found - and I know it is extremely difficult these days - that some T3 added to T4 (levo) worked for me. You could also get a private test for Free T4 and Free T3 and both should be in the upper part of the ranges. Yours may be too low and you may need an increase.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

I see an endo every 8 weeks and have been on thyroxine only yes. Is it a thyroid issue of magnesium. Tsh is currently 2.64 from 8 last month. When i ask aboit other ranges he said they are good. Do you get these?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

I am not medically qualified butI did get severe palps and Cardiologist was puzzled. He was thinking of putting an implant so that he could see what was going on but I had been given some T3 by Endo and that solved my problems but it might not do so for others. It is scary especially if palps happens in the middle of the night and worse if you live alone. If you live with someone they can always give you some 'first aid'. Mine was ice-cold water to sip plus ice-cold towel round neck.

We have to remain calm (difficult) and breath slowly while trying to relax.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Whats this t3 or t4 supps ppl talk of never been offered. I live alone and its crippling. How di i make them go away as they are back! Im scared is it my thyroid? It all started 4 yrs ago and prior i was ok

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

T3 (also known as liothyronine)and T4 (also known as levothyroxine) are not supplements. They are thyroid hormones, i.e. T3 is the Active Thyroid Hormone, needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells. T4 is inactive and converts to T3.

Many hypothyroid people convert levothyroxine into T3 without problems. Others might have a difficulty.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Ok how do i fix this? Im confused. Foods? My tsh as of 25th of july is 2.34 and free t4 os 13.6 im in Australia and my paperwork says levels between 10-23 .

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

When stating results it is beneficial to also give the ranges. The reason being that labs use different ranges and it is easier to comment. The aim for TSH, once diagnosed and prescribed, is 1 or under so and yours isn't. It's a pity they don't also test Free T3. I'd say (and am not medically qualified) that you need an increase to bring TSH down and increase FT4 and FT3.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

This is my second endo do i need to see a third. He said levels are fine.i mentioned t3 range 10 to 23 and ts4 is 13.6. So when u say increase t3 and t4 just increase my thyroxine dose? Im scared

[Hay2016 in reply to Contra21]

Hi. Don’t panic if ecg etc are normal. I also had them but when properly medicated with t4(Levothyroxine) they subsided. I found worrying about them made it worse. They did go when I added t3(liothyronine) and my levels were higher.

Your tsh at over 2 probably means you could speak to endo about an increase.

[Contra21 in reply to Hay2016]

He says its fine. What do i do? So many of you are saying medicated with t4 im confused is that increasing thyroxine only? He always say all my levels are good but i feel like shit! On and off heart ectopics amd vertigo over the last 4 yrs. Ive seen neurologist everything like 10 k in a yr! What do i do?

[Hay2016 in reply to Contra21]

Hiya. Yes t4 is thyroxine. You need to have a read of this article and show your endo why your levels aren’t fine if you still feel awful. rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

Get copies of recent results and ranges and people will advise.

[Contra21 in reply to Hay2016]

I have many times. Do i see another endo? My tsh is 2.34 and t4 is 16.6 ranges in Australia are 10 to 23. T3 and t4 talk is so confusing i dont know what ppl are on about when they say they take t4 is that just the thyroxine tablet i take?

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

thyroiduk.org. is the main website linked to this forum and will explain everything to help you understand the thyroid ..

[Contra21 in reply to Marz]

Reasin i see an endocrinologist i just want ectopics gone

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

OK - I gave you the link above as you said you found the T4 & T3 comments confusing in a reply above. Or did I misunderstand ? What dose of T4/Levo are you on ?

[Contra21 in reply to Marz]

Why do ppl call thyroxine t4 is it the same thing. Im on 100mg mon wed fri sun amd other days 50mg

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

As others have mentioned - you need an increase in your dose as the TSH is too high ...

[Contra21 in reply to Marz]

Last time it was 8 he suggested same dose as i wasnt waiting long enough. Should i increase it myself? A month ago at 8 i never got them and now a 2.34 they happen?

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

I am not a doctor ! But taking 100 everyday shouldn't do harm. Have you read the link I posted for you above ? How are your levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ? Low iron can cause heart issues - along with the others mentioned ...

[Contra21 in reply to Marz]

Ive had aneamia since i was 16 as heavy periods but never had this.. i never asked if 100mg was too much i just want to know if ectopics can be caused by thyroid and why is my endo saying 2.34 is ok?

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

No you didn't - but you did ask if you should increase - so I answered accordingly ... If you follow this Forum on a tegular basis you will read that a TSH around 1 is suggested when being medicated.

Yes LOW T3 can be the cause of irregular heartbeats ... and as you are without a thyroid it is possible you need to add some T3. Also the amount of T4 you ate taking will not convert into T3 if your iron is low. Have you had B12 - folate - VitD tested ?

[Contra21 in reply to Marz]

T3 qnd t4 im getting confused! I only take thyroxine daily.

[Marz in reply to Contra21]

You say you are confused about T4 and T3. I gave you a link to Thyroid UK - the main website to this Forum where you can read and learn about T4 and T3 etc in your own time.

thyroiduk.org

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

I fear getting afib

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

In order for our heart to beat normally we need optimal thyroid hormones. I'd ask your GP to test Free T4 and Free T3 and always get the earliest blood draw, which should also be a fasting test (you can drink water). Don't frighten yourself by thinking you'll get Afib. You must ensure you are on an optimum dose of thyroid hormones which brings your TSH to 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges. Usually GPs (in UK) don't test these two and if yours wont, get a home finger pin-prick test and make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before so blood can flow freely.

Our heart and brain need thyroid hormones to function normally. In fact our whole body needs them.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

My dr tests all three and tpo antibodies . Problem is we see drs because they are drs. So what do i do ? The ectopics are increasing and im pertified. Can it turn into afib? What is it. I always do them fasting. I see him next Thursday and get bloods done this Friday. I think about the ectopocs all the tine and fear them omg what if he says im ok thrm what? I cant self treat myself?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

Your doctor should refer you to a cardiologist - so that you will get a proper check and then to an Endocrinologist and hopefully he/she will know how best to treat you. Apparently ectopics aren't dangerous. This is an excerpt:

"Like most causes of palpitations, ectopic beats are usually harmless and do not mean you have a serious heart condition. They generally require no treatment unless they occur very often or are very severe. Palpitations and ectopic beats are usually nothing to worry about.

Palpitations & ectopic beats - British Heart Foundation

bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/.....

That's all very well, but if people are having heart issues it will frighten them and you need reassurance that you're heart is fine.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

I have seen many drs as in inital post. Structural heart and worn hokters etc but they are ruining my life. Im crying so much there's no cure

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

I've looked at your details Contra21 but there's no past history given. I note you'e been a member since 2017 and have a lot of health issues.

If you've no thyroid gland whatsoever, I think (and am not medically qualified) that a combination of T3/T4 would be kinder and may help you feel much better. I'd ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist and hopefully they will help you restore your health.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

I had my thyroid removed in 2012. Have seen 2 endocrinologist since then. Heart flops vertigo all started 2015. Thry come and go. Have had all heart tests and been hosptal many times. These flops happen when im resting. Ive been on thyroxine for 6 years so whem you say t3 or t4 im clueless as to what that means as my endo says im fine but im scared of dying.

Did you have these? Does excersise help. As soon as i lay down boom so i fear excersise since they have returned last week!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

If you've no thyroid gland at all, I think - and am not medically qualified - that should be on a combined T4/T3 dose at the very least.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

What is that is it separat to thyroxine?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

T3 is the Active Thyroid Hormone separate from thyroxine (T4).

T4 is an inactive hormone and has to convert to T3. We must have an optimum dose of T4 to supply sufficient T3 and we must be good at converting T4 into T3.

T3 (liothyronine) is the Active thyroid hormone and is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells. i.e. (that doesn't mean we need a huge dose - just a dose which relieves clinical symptoms).

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Is it a seperate pill from thyroxine?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

Yes it is a single pill (T3) as is T4 (levothyroxine).

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

You could ask GP to test both Free T4 and Free T3 at your next blood test - to see if you're taking an optimum dose. Both should be in the upper part of the ranges.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Ok so just so i understand this. More thyroxine decreases tsh but improves t3 and t4. ? Ive never been offered a t3 tablet never knew it existed as endocrinologist has never offered it and manages me on thyroxine. Have been on it last 6 urs . He also tests t 3 t4 and antibodies. This is so hrd to understand. I just want ectopocs gone. I want a healthy thyroid.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

If you're in the UK, your Endo wont offer T3 as they've been told it is too expensive to prescribe. Considering that those who supply T3 have raised it by 6,000% I believe, so it's been withdrawn.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Im from Australia

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

Australia probably uses the same/similar method as the UK. On the other hand T3 in Austrailia may be cheaper than UK.

[Contra21 in reply to shaws]

Im confused. Im telling you my endocrinologist tests everything. He says im ok and tsh is within range i wsnt heart flops gone. How do i fo this i crippled with fear

[shaws Administrator in reply to Contra21]

Your endocrinologists tests everything and say's you are o.k. I assume he means your results are all o.k.

However, you don't appear to feel o.k. otherwise you wouldn't be searching the internet for the reason why you don't feel so good. Have you asked to be referred to a cardiologist to check your unpleasant symptoms.

Do you have the numbers of your TSH with the ranges? Ranges are in brackets.

We just cannot 'guess' and neither are the members medically qualified. It is just going by our own experiences that we respond to queries.