Thyroid deterioration or A Fib??

Hi everyone. Could do with a bit of advice.

I have never had any definite symptoms of overmedication but on the last test TSH was suppressed, T3 at top of range and T4 well over range, so I decreased Levo slightly in February and the doctor gave me a blood form for May 20th. At the bottom of the form he wrote “?AF”, which I assume means Atrial Fibrillation.

I have had slightly swollen ankles for over a year, apparently as a result of decreasing thyroxine due to low TSH (I was still obviously hypo, but they wouldn’t listen). Subsequent thyroxine increases have made no difference to that.

The main symptoms noticed the last few days are:

•Increased headaches.

•Tiredness and concentration are worse. Also slight breathlessness

•More episodes of a slight vibrating or quivering sensation in the chest the last few days, which is likely the AF.

The local hospital phlebotomy department is still open and I have Medichecks kit for thyroid only.

So what do you folks think? Should I do the Medichecks test now, wait for the 20th, or ask for the GP test to be done sooner?

[Hidden]

The problem is that symptoms vary so much anyway from day to day. Since getting above 125mcg levo, (to150, but since February it's been 125/150 alternate days) it has been almost impossible to tell if increases make any long term difference.

Perhaps until now?

Or does it mean my heart isn't going to get back to normal anyway?

[Cazzy20]

Hi, I’m new to this forum and only just starting to get my head around hypothyroidism! However, I have been taking medication for Atrial Flutter (an arrhythmia) for 9 years. I would say it’s important to get possible AF symptoms checked out properly by Cardiology and not assume the irregularities are down to the thyroid issues alone. Without being alarmist, AF is one of the biggest causes of stroke in the UK yet easily treated with medication. I’d have another chat with your GP - good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Cazzy20]

Thanks. I rang the GP yesterday and he told me to go to Casualty. The doctor there was very good and very thorough, but had the usual misunderstanding about the value of relying on TSH levels.

Thankfully an ECG and blood test showed nothing wrong except suppressed TSH. T4 was 22, and "Fine", and guess what, they didn't test T3!

I did have the Medichecks test done and when results are back I will probably start another thread. I still don't know for sure if I am over or under medicated, have an adrenal problem or sleep apnoea or what (any of these factors, and a lot of other things can cause AFib). Or maybe I just need a little T3 - which I'm unlikely to get.

And, guess what! No palpitations today - or not so far!

[Cazzy20 in reply to Hidden]

Fingers crossed. I’m only just starting to get a grip on the number of things thyroid issues can affect! I have a lot to learn! However my hypothyroidism was only picked up by an Arrhythmia Coordinator (waited 9 months for the appointment) when I described worsening and quite alarming deterioration of my Atrial Flutter! Since taking Levothyroxine Atrial Flutter stable again, although other things aren’t!

[Hidden in reply to Cazzy20]

Had my results. But have run out of energy to put up a new post just now.

I've been on here probably a couple of years and don't think we ever stop learning.