So I went to get blood work done today because I started 25mg Synthroid (brand name) two weeks ago but because I have been experiencing runs of NSVT (not SVT) and slower than normal heart rate (in the 50s) they wanted to repeat it. They also had me stop the Synthroid yesterday until we figure it out because it is worsening my arrhythmia. So that’s another issue in this puzzle.
Prior to starting my last TSH was 96.2 and my ft4 was 0.81 below are my new levels and ranges.
TSH 32.50 range- 0.36-3.74
FT4 1.03 range-0.76-1.46
I do not have access to the t3 yet.
What’s interesting to top it off is for years I’ve had low potassium. My body doesn’t hold it well. Because of that I take 20meg of klor-con potassium four times a day. Total 80 meg for the day. Today my potassium was on the higher side of normal
Potassium- 4.5 range is 3.7-5.1
even though I’ve only taken one dose of my medication. The highest my potassium has even been was 4.2 it’s usually around 3.9/4.0 and normally I have already had three doses at that point. So I’m not sure why the potassium has also popped up like that. If my potassium for some reason has been elevated the past two weeks that can also be causing the issues.
I swear my body is all out of sorts.
*edited title and post to add info
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Tiffw28
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I definitely believe your body is 'out of sorts' due to the fact that you had a very high TSH before your were diagnosed as hypothyroid.
I found that doctors knew very little about hypothyroidism or anything to do with the thyroid gland.
The fact that your TSH was so very high, no wonder your heart rate is slower.
TSH stands for 'thyroid stimulating hormone' and that means your body was trying to raise more thyroid hormones thus a higher TSH.
Synthroid is T4 only, T4 (also known as levothyroxine is an inactive hormone) and it has to convert to T3 which is the Active Thyroid Hormone needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells.
Your doctor should actually test Free T4 and Free T3 as both should be nearer the top of the ranges. The latter two are rarely tested.
I must state that I'm not medically qualified but was also an undiagnosed hypothyroid person and I had to diagnose myself when TSH was 100.
Your dose should be increased every few weeks until the TSH is 1 or lower with a FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.
You should also get B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested. Everything has to be optimal.
You should take levothyroxine, usually when we get up, with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.
Some members prefer a bedtime dose, in that case they'd miss this if having a blood test next a.m. and take it afterwards and bedtime dose as usual the same day.
When having a blood test, it should be at the earliest possible - fasting (you can drink water) (TSH is highest then) and don't take levo until afterwards
Yeah I actually went yesterday morning early to get my blood work drawn because I had read on the site that morning was the best. So that was really helpful! She did pull the free t4 but only did t3 not free. Im going to have to request the free t 3.
So it’s weird prior to Synthroid my heart rate wasn’t too low yet after starting it it dropped lower so I find that interesting.
I was amazed the TSH had went from 96 to 32 so quickly since I had only taken the 25mg for two weeks. I was under the impression it takes a while. Right now the doctor suspended the medication because of the arrhythmia but I think about about to go back on it. I’m dreading it.
Could you have a sensitivity to something in the levothyroxine that causes the arrhythmia? You could try taking one antihistamine one hour before Synthroid and it could make a difference. If it resolves the arrhythmia, you'd have to change to something other than synthroid.
Hey. So yeah I kind of assumed maybe that’s why it’s been off for the years but it was weird how yesterday all of sudden it jumped up and I hadn’t even taken all my potassium pills for the day or had eaten anything. So weird.
That’s true. But if I’ve had the K issues for years but not hypo I guess I didn’t expect it to change it at all. My doctors as usual are “ahh it’s fine as long as your kidneys are fine.” I’m like well maybe we should revisit all this potassium since I take a lot. I swear doctors sometimes! Lol
So my first TSH in March was in the 30s by time I got to May it was 70s and by July it was 96. Before all that it was 1.8 I believe in December. It’s kind of crazy how it went so high so fast! I wasn’t expecting it to be abnormal to be honest. I was shocked.
Hey! Thanks for the response. So yeah I usually feel fine or what’s normal for me. I actually felt worse treating it than I did leaving it alone. Not sure how the doctors and I will move forward with the arrhythmias and medication.
For what it's worth, i have seen tsh move quickly. But it's not always the case, and a lag is often seen especially if it's been suppressed for a while, hence the 6 weeks wait for a representative reading. Mine went to 7 from 0.05 in a couple of weeks off Levo once, so i don't think there is anything weird about the drop you have had. Just shows your pituitary has noticed the levo.
Let us know what they decide next, and how you get on.
Try not to get anxious about taking the levthyroxine (LT4) , I realise that s not easy with the heart playing silly buggers, but T4 is what you have had your whole life from your thyroid gland, and you clearly need to have some from outside now, in one form or another.
Hey! Thanks for your response. I guess what I don’t get is why it’s aggravating my heart to the point it’s causing me ventricle issues (NSVT). Of all dang arrhythmias to cause! I have an implant that records my rhythm- it doesn’t do anything else so it’s not like a pace maker etc, and it already caught two episodes since I’ve started. Rock meet hard place!
I only had my first official abnormal TSH in March. So while I’ve had the Hashimoto for years the hypo is new. Maybe that’s why it started moving so quickly. Interesting. My doctor was actually thinking about having me break the 25mg tablet in half and trying that to see if maybe it wouldn’t cause the heart issues but may still help. To be honest I’m scared to go back on any of it! I have PTSD regarding my Heart/arrhythmia so it’s a struggle to say the least.
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