Have ectopics since last few years and have increased in the recent past ( mostly before going to bed ) . All tests done including EKG, Holter etc. Diagnosed with hypo ( TSH 9.5 ) not on meds. Cardio says these ectopics are benign and within threshold level and I should not get worried about it. but it is bothering me. The endocrinologist has not put me on any med yet. Should I ask him to prescribe Levo ( I am thinking it may help - going by some responses here ) . Have tried to identify triggers and have cut down on everything include tea/coffee/alcohol/smoking etc. Ectopic comes mostly late evening when I am alone and not busy. Another symptom which I am seeing is general tiredness and body aches ( neck and torso region)
Please help ... Cardio and endo are perhaps looking only at their area and not paying enough attention to what I am going through.
Is there a link between hypothyroidism and ectopics? Any literature?
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Tdragon_1230
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Presumably, with a TSH of 9.5, your FT3 is very low. The heart needs a lot of T3, so wouldn't be surprising it you have some heart symptoms. Yes, you should insist on being treated for hypothyroidism, you are very hypo.
Your TSH is high. Likely FT4 and especially FT3 likely low
Low FT3 affects heart
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
This gives highest TSH
Anyone who's TSH is over 10 should be prescribed Levothyroxine
Many, many people, especially with high antibodies need Levothyroxine when TSH is much lower than this
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
My apologies for not putting this in my earlier post - I am from India, I can get these tests done privately (our NHS counterpart is practically dead )
1. I have done T3, T4 which is 0.9 and 7.38 respectively which is in range.
2. Have a deficiency of Vitamin D and B12 as well.
3. Cholestrol parameters were ok apart from LDL which is higher (129)
4. My endo wanted to wait till TSH 10 before prescribing anything as he thinks it may go back after lifestyle changes ( may be increased levels are temporary in nature)
5. I need to get TPO and Antibodies done . Meeting again my endo tomorrow and will ask him for it.
6. All tests like Lipid, Liver,CBC,electrolytes were all in range.
7. Holter( 2 days ) suggested 6% ectopics which is kind of constant from last 2 year back reading. Cardio is not alarmed and says it is benign. He is not concerned that I am feeling my heart beating , jumping beats etc ... He wants me to take a mild dosage of betablocker in case I need.
But reading here, I am convinced it is thyroid which is playing this trick with me.
Thank you everyone again. You have been very supportive.
You need to start Levothyroxine straight away. The starting dose is 50mcg followed by a blood test at 6 weeks and then you increase by 25mcg until you feel well and your TSH is 1 or lower and your T4 and T3 are in the upper third of the range. When I had a TSH of 9 I could not get out of bed or think straight ... you must feel awful.
This was my next question. Everyone says magnesium. If im on levo and have been for 6 years and within ranges and looked after and ectpics are still coming and going will magnesium every fix will it forever be a problem because of having my thyroid removed. The thought devastates me. Endo says im very well managed. Even saw 3 endo after him and they said the sane. Magnesium help? Or is you removed your thyroid you will have these forever?
Update: Endo has asked to repeat TSH . Waiting for reports. Looks like in case of subclinical hypo ( less than 10 ) he wont prescribe Levo.
He also mentioned that with Levo ectopics can get worsen - not sure what to make out of that.. I have been reading here that for folks correct and appropriate levo dosage and right TSH has helped with their ectopics.
Update: 2 weeks since on levo 50mcg and things have improved. I do not feel those ectopics as regularly as it was.. It does happen once in a while still . Endo has asked me to come back after 2 months.. Overall, feeling much better. Thank you all for your support.
One thing which deeply perplexed me is both endo and cardio insisted that ectopics have no relation with thyroid but I can see the difference .. I do not know is it placebo in my case or levo has really worked. I wonder sometimes these docs do not know what is present in community knowledge..
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