Extreme shortness of breath, chest pain and sore throat

[WendyOSullivan]

Hi - I have Hashimotos and have been ok for a couple of years but for a few weeks now I have had extreme shortness of breath, rough throat, chest pain and palpitations. This has come on slowly and is terrible now and not going away. I've had antibiotics and prednisone but no change. My latest blood test results are ok except for high eosinophil count (0.8 10*9/L) (0.0-0.5 is normal) and serum free T3 level is 5.1 pmo/L and THS level is 8.09 mU/L which is high. The doctor seems to think this is normal. I'm taking 50mcg Eltroxin and 6mcg liothyronine. Has anyone any idea what I should do now? Thanks so much for any help or suggestions. Wendyx

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

WendyOSullivan

Chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath - I think your GP should be doing an ECG to be on the safe side.

Your TSH is obviously well over range so can't possibly be "normal" (ask your GP what's normal about a TSH so far over range in a treated Hypo patient where the aim is to have TSH at the lower end of the range) but where in range does your FT3 lie? We can't comment on that unless we have the range along with the result. And what about your FT4 level?

High eosinophil count can be present when the patient has autoimmune disease.

[WendyOSullivan in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SusieThank for replying. My serum T3 level is 5.1 pmol/L (3.1-6.8) and FT 4 level is 14.0 pmol/L (10.5-24.5). The doctor listened to my heart and didn't comment that anything was wrong.

Thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to WendyOSullivan]

WendyOSullivan

So your FT4 and FT3 will be classed as normal as they are well within range. However, most doctors are TSH obsessed,especially when it is below range, and generally disregard FT4/FT3 results. So I'd be asking him what is normal about a TSH so far over range in a treated Hypo patient. If they are quick to jump on a below range TSH, why the difference when it's over range?

[WendyOSullivan in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie, I'm due to see the doctor again later this week so I'll ask him that. He just said when I last saw him that he didn't know what to do and would refer me to the hospital. Thanks anyway for your help.

[humanbean]

I have had extreme shortness of breath, rough throat, chest pain and palpitations.

One possibility might be low iron and/or low ferritin (iron stores) which is very common with thyroid disease.

It's weird, but if you look up the symptoms of iron deficiency on US sites it mentions chest pain as a symptom (among others). In the UK it almost never gets a mention.

UK : nhsinform.scot/illnesses-an...

USA : drugs.com/mcd/iron-deficien...

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I forgot to mention that the best iron panel finger-prick blood test that I know of is this one :

medichecks.com/iron-tests/i...

There are discount codes available on this link :

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[WendyOSullivan in reply to humanbean]

Hi, my blood tests show that iron/ferritin is normal but thanks so much for suggestion.

[Hay2016 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

Hi. My daughters is normal too at 15, gps diagnosed her as asthmatic due to Shortness of breath and heart palpitations/pain. Went away when I managed to get it up to 22!! But we know it should be nearer 70-100. Look carefully at what drs call normal. They hate me when I ask numbers. Tough! 😃

[WendyOSullivan in reply to Hay2016]

Hi, thanks for your post. Do you mean iron levels should be 70-100? My level is 79. My TSH is 8.0 so technically I'm underactive but I have all the symptoms of overactive thyroid. Don't know what's going on and I'm at the end of my tether.

[Hay2016 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

Hi Wendy yes ferritin. I get awful heart palpitations snd sweats when I’m low in t3. It’s all a matter of determining what our normal is. Your TSH is a bit anomalous. Usually goes very low on liothyrinine. I’d ask gp to redo thyroid tests snd do all three. Gp should also be investigating the chest pain regardless!! Good luck it’s hard navigating the system at the moment.

[WendyOSullivan in reply to Hay2016]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I spoke to doctor today who has increased my Eltroxin by 25mcg. She also thought sore, rough throat was not thyroid connected and is getting me an emergency appointment with ENT. Anyway, we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks and thanks for wishing me good luck (I need it!).

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

I hope ur ok Wendy I’m the same breathless n stuff. Please let us know

[WendyOSullivan in reply to Freddiestar1234]

Hi Freddie, I'll let you know what happens in the next few weeks. Hope you are ok too.

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

Don’t think we will ever be ok I hate my life now it’s too much struggle I give up even tryin I never feel good not even one day a week x

[WendyOSullivan in reply to Freddiestar1234]

Hi Freddie, sorry to hear you're feeling so down. I know how it feels to not be able to breathe and feeling awful and no one seems to be able to cure us. My doctor has upped my levothyroxine and I'm due to see ENT in a couple of weeks as she seems to think something's wrong with my throat. I'll let you know how it goes but in the meantime try and keep your spirits up and take care.

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

Thank u Wendy. What is the best brand name to use Levo ? X

[WendyOSullivan in reply to Freddiestar1234]

I've only tried Levothyroxine and Eltroxin. I got on better with Eltroxin but now everything seems to have gone haywire so the only thing you can do is to to the doctor and ask to try different brands.

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to WendyOSullivan]

Never heard of elthroxin ? Maybe I’ll askIt’s at4 ? Hope ur feeling better I’m back at work tomorrow been off 3 weeks but not long returned after 6 months sick. Xxxxx

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Freddiestar1234]

In the UK, Eltroxin is just a brand name for Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine. There are other formulations of levothyroxine.

(In other countries, this would often not be the case. The brand Eltroxin is used for at least one other formulation.)

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to helvella]

Oh soIt’s still Levo but brand name change is that correct. Thank y x

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Freddiestar1234]

It is still levothyroxine.

The name Eltroxin is just a brand name.

(Mercury Pharma Eltroxin is the same product as Mercury Pharma Levothyroxine. But they are marketed under two names.)

[Confoozled in reply to Freddiestar1234]

Hi Freddie. I'm so sorry to hear how you feel. I note your account is new and you've never posted. Would you like to post some information about your health and treatments and see what forum users think? You sound like maybe you've had difficulties with healthcare because where you are is not where you should be. And so many of us have been there too maybe we can help? Sending hugs x

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to Confoozled]

HiI’m on 150 Levo m

GP says there fine don’t have a print out n wouldn’t know where to kinda start it all don’t make sense but I’ve it hypothyroidism 8 years now n the lssst two have been

Terrible where I’m thinking of giving my well liked job I never sleeep unless I’m given zopiclone n even then I don’t sleep two years now I developed skin picking which is just dreadful where we her itchy hives so bad with hypothyroidism then to sit up some nights 6/9 easy scaring causing infections has led me to having no confidence n I can’t get out if this hirfrinle fatigue o just don’t me any more it’s just symptom after symptom I used to moan

About my hair loss symptom now thsts a minor to me. I have no energy n any I may get is ripped away at work I’m

Biting my mum dads my twin adult boys heads off or I’m cryin It’s not nice to have

[Confoozled in reply to Freddiestar1234]

1. Get a print out. Post the results here.

If this printout is not tsh, ft4 and ft3 make the doctor get you checked for that blood test.

Do the test as early as possible on an empty stomach 24 hours after your last t4 dose. Then take your dose after your test.

Then post the results here.

You do not sound well.

2. Keep a symptom diary. Your fatigue is way way wrong. Do you have cfs? Do you have Lyme Disease? Keep a track of your symptoms e.g. cold, shaky, whatever it is. Then post them here with your blood result.

3. Can you afford you own blood test if so, get all of the ones you need including antibodies and vits etc.

Slowdragon has listed the links on this post.

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to Confoozled]

I just had allThose done well month ago. I just can’t shake it off n yes feeling very low moods now. I started to taje Levo at night for proper absorption as mornings I can’t wait hour i

Have to a tea. So this is new to do it at night x thank u I will post my bloods up

[Freddiestar1234 in reply to Confoozled]

How do I test Lyme disease ? Never heard of it Shall look it up now thank u

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to WendyOSullivan]

You need FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Even 75mcg levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose

Come back with new post once you get results

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

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 .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

[WendyOSullivan in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks so much for all your advice. I will get blood tests done again in a few weeks and let you know.