I’m a 33 year old male for some background. No known underlying conditions. No family background of the issue as far as I am aware
So for a few months I’ve had heart palpitations, which they chalked up to anxiety (which I’ve had worse since Covid started ). But the last couple weeks I also have these symptoms:
-Feeling hot, not a fever, but my head/face/body feel warm on the outside if that makes sense
-Heart palpitations daily
- Stronger more noticeable pulse/heart rate( it’s not faster, but it’s harder for sure and I notice it way more)
-Fatigue
- feeling generally shaky?
-weakness
- more irritable
- odd chest pains (not every day, they're kinda everywhere that last like a second or two then go away. Not very painful at all)
- lightheaded
-lack of sleep/ wake up a lot.
- not able to focus as well? If that makes sense.
It’s been driving me nuts, and the only thing it sounds like to me is hyperthyroidism. Anyone out there have anything similar?
The reason I ask, is that I want to be prepared to bring up some suggestions with the doctor.
Written by
Matthews34
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
8 Replies
•
I'm hypothyroid but when I take too much levothyroxine my heart palpitates, fatigue, sweating, getting jolted awake, insomnia. I definitely feel more irritable and unable to rest. So yes those could be hyperthyroid symptoms.
When you see the doc try and get proper blood testing - not just TSH. You really need TSH, free T4, free T3 and all thyroid antibodies testing - and if they'll do it, key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12. Most GPs don't know much about thyroid - it's barely covered in their training - but you want to be sure it's hypERthyroidism before you start on any medication, rather than say hypOthyroidism combined with Hashi's and a hyper swing. greygoose gives a superb description of how Hashi's works and may be along in a bit.
Too much jargon: sorry. Have a look at helvella 's excellent glossary [look at "posts" above, and then "pinned posts"] to get a feel for the technical terms.
If the GP won't do the necessary, it may be worth doing a full set of private tests: SlowDragon has a thorough description of the various options/prices. Many, many of us are forced into the private testing route
I think all the possibilities have been covered by others - won't go into the details of Hashi's yet until we know more - but a very important thing to keep in mind is that a lot of thyroid symptoms can be both hyper and hypo. And, to be honest, having been severally hypo at some points, the symptoms sound more like hypo that hyper, to me. But, let's see what the tests say.
It could be something as simple as LOW levels of nutrients. The following are NOT routine tests and must be requested - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. If they are low in range then they could be the cause of your symptoms.
NHS rarely does the correct testing so thyroid issues are often missed. Home Testing kits available from Thyroid UK - see link below..
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
Autoimmune disease is most common reason for thyroid issues
Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism) frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms
Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid) diagnosed by test TSI or Trab antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
Low vitamin D extremely common. Low vitamin D can be linked to poor sleep
What’s your diet like?
Vegetarian or vegan?
Do you take any vitamin supplements?
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early morning and ideally, before eating or drinking anything other than water .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Kardia EKG - the answer to my worries over my palpitations and heart racing!
I’m so scared :(
Beginning to feel like Im in an episode of House (minus Hugh Laurie!) 
Does this sound like Hashimoto's please?
