Palpitations and chest pain on levo?? - Thyroid UK

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Palpitations and chest pain on levo??

Lenaa profile image
19 Replies

On 100ug levo about 2.5/3 months now. Last few days my resting HR has shot up (normally it’s about 50-60 and now about 70-75), I have palpitations, my heart is pounding, general strange feeling in my chest and even like someone is punching me in the heart.

Also last few days crashed after feeling the best I have in two years M.E. wise. Even a short walk leaves me shattered and with twitching muscles.

I don’t know if it’s too much thyroid hormone? I know I need to test but surgery is shut and the finger prick stuff is a disaster; I tried before (I have raynaulds).

Don’t know if I just crashed M.E. wise.

Or maybe it could even be atypical corona presentation. I don’t have any other symptoms so they won’t test me. I have seen that it’s possible not to have flu like symptoms but rapid HR etc Less oxygen = rapid HR.

I’m mostly worried that it’s the levo. I don’t know if that’s possible on just 100ug. I know I’ve had more energy on it but some of it feels like I’m running on adrenaline. Doesn’t feel like healthy person energy. So overall worried if levo is doing me harm..

Before, on 50ug my FT4 was about 13 and FT3 just under range so I can’t imagine 100ug shot me too high...

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Lenaa profile image
Lenaa
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19 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Did you increase from 50mcg to 100mcg in one step?

That would put quite strain on adrenals

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to SlowDragon

Yes I did. I was told it’s ok to do that. But it’s been quite a while now and the symptoms are only just happening now.

Well, in fairness I did a few days on 75 come to think of it but went up to 100 when was given a GP article that there is no need to wait.

Wouldn’t an adverse reaction happen much quicker?

What shall I do?

Test my adrenals to see if they’ve crashed?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Lenaa

How long have you been on 100mcg ?

You could try splitting the dose 50mcg waking and 50mcg at bedtime

Is levothyroxine Always the same brand

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What Vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to SlowDragon

Almost 3 months.

Always the same brand.

All my results are fine. Don’t have them to hand.

I take D3+k2, vit c, magnesium, selenium, resveratrol

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to SlowDragon

Just ordered the adrenal stress test so we shall see

Notnip profile image
Notnip in reply to Lenaa

I had the same symptoms and I was over medicated. I think there's no specific rule on how long one should take to start feeling the symptoms of over medication. Maybe 75 would be enough for you

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to Notnip

My T4 and T3 were at the bottom on 50ug so seems hard to imagine all of a sudden they’re too high...?

Argh so desperate to do the test ASAP. Maybe I should bite the bullet and try finger prick once again. I’d really rather not

Notnip profile image
Notnip in reply to Lenaa

for me my TSH was super high on 75, I was presribed 100 and I started having palpitations and chest pain, I ignored the symptoms because I wasn't told this could happen, and I ended up having sleeping issues and eventually horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I got checked and in fact my levels dropped dramatically. I went back on 75 immediatly and changed lifestyle for 75 to be enough.

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to Notnip

I was always told symptoms will persist until one is optimal ie nearer the top of the range. Having not enough just wont help me feel better. I felt better on 100 until recently

HypoZona profile image
HypoZona

Sounds like over medicated. Stop taking for 24 to 36 hours and see if chest pains go away. Half life of the med is 5-7 days depending on your metabolism, so you will still have meds for your body to work with. Second possibility is your body is not able to convert the Levo to the T-3 that your bodies needs. I was not able to take only T4 and had to add T3 (and reduce T4) to regulate properly.

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to HypoZona

If I was over medicated, wouldn’t that have happened a while ago? Not three months in?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Lenaa

Getting full thyroid and vitamins tested next step

Hopefully phlebotomists will open soon

Raynauds type symptoms are typical hypothyroid symptom and should improve

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to SlowDragon

I don’t think my raynaulds is related to hypo. I’ve had it looooooong before. For as long as I remember.. and it only gets worse with age. It’s more likely related to vascular dysregulation in my case and will be linked to my M.E. and impaired oxygen extraction.

I cannot afford all the other tests. It’s just not an option. Esp as I’ve had them many times in the past (when I was sicker) and never had a single deficiency. I’ll do adrenals and thyroid when possible. That finger prick test is just a nightmare

I get this from time to time till I found out that it was Magnesium deficiency. I used to run a lot but had to give it up because of the heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats etc, i found a footbath of Epsom salts, 100g, 2x a week really helped combat this! The Magnesium is absorbed transdermally straight into the bloodstream. Its like a miracle. You'll always know your Mag levels are liw when the thumping heartbeats return. Try it. Good luck 🌞

magsyh profile image
magsyh

If you have ME you will have low adrenal function. Thyroid medication and low adrenals just don't go together! Thyroid medication is a stimulant if you don't have enough cortisol you will start to get symptoms especially from your heart because of adrenaline. You need to concentrate on helping your adrenals.

You are living on adrenaline like I was. Doc will offer beta blockers or antidepressants but that is only a short term fix. If you didn't have problems on 50 go back to that as your body was likely able to tolerate it. Get a saliva cortisol test and if you're levels are low you need to fix that first.

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to magsyh

I ordered saliva test.

I did not feel well on 50. I felt well, until recently on 100.

I will never take anxiety or depression meds.

I wouldn’t say I’m running on adrenaline; only perhaps sometimes.

magsyh profile image
magsyh in reply to Lenaa

Problem is you will feel well with the boost but only short term. Wait and see what the cortisol levels are telling you and take it from there.

Lenaa profile image
Lenaa in reply to magsyh

Exactly. Today I actually feel a lot better. Maybe it is covid and nothing to do with my thyroid

Imaaan profile image
Imaaan

Hi,

I know this is an older post but maybe you can try a dose of 88 or go back to 75 and alternate between 75 and 88. Another option to try is taking half of a 75 plus a half of 88 which will give you 81.5

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