Hi lovely people. I could do with some advice please - I have a heart monitor watch and can see my resting heart rate drops rather low at times, its gone down to 37 when asleep, and when just sitting its in the low 40s. I take 70mcg Levothyroxine. I was advised to seek a Doctors advice.
I had an ECG last week - the nurse said it looked fine, but waiting to speak to the Dr. I was meant to have a full set of blood tests early today but they took me by surprise and did it when I went for the ECG mid afternoon - unprepared (ie. it was3.30pm and had taken usual medication in the morning).
My blood pressure is good. I have discomfort around the thyroid area and sometimes my glands there feel enlarged and swallowing is slightly uncomfortable.
(I also have Sjogrens)
Any ideas, advice before I speak to the Dr about my results (bloods unknown yet). Its my feeling that I'm probably under-medicated. Would my symptoms suggest that?
Advice in the pursuit of better health is hugely appreciated! Thanks
Written by
Scullngbunny
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Low heart rate is not always bad. Athletes can have it. My husband was an oarsman for several years and many years later he still had a low resting heart rate.
If you are athletic or have been at some time, then a lower heart rate than normal may be fine.
Yes thanks - me too! I’ve been rowing for 44 years and was elite athlete - my resting heart rate was 45 in my 20s and 30s. But not sure it should be lower now I’m in my 60s and not doing GB training! I am fit so maybe it’s nothing - but hitting the 30s as a RHR seems reckless!
When my husband was in his 70s he was persuaded that he needed a pacemaker - against his better judgement. They set it on 60 minimum. He became extremely tired; he couldn't sleep because the pacemaker was keeping him awake. We went back to the hospital and we had a heck of a job persuading them to lower it - they took it down to 50. Eventually he wanted to try a bit lower so we had to take responsibility for having it so low and they took it down to about 45 I think.
The medics seemed to think that after so many years his heart rate should have gone back to normal, but it hadn't. Even after he gave up rowing he kept fit so that may have helped.
So, with your history of rowing and being athletic, I would say don't worry about your heart rate.
Hi my Resting Pulse when was Cycle Racing and more was in the 20's to low 30's didn't go high though max was around 190's they norm say 240 minus your age is max but known older go past 240's.
Ive a larger heart than most so don't need to beat as much to do same work as a smaller one.
Often low resting is you have good blood ways and relaxed it's how it performs when needed to work or slowing down that tells you lot's about you and your body and if going sick or tired.
Obviously you need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing
75mcg is only one step up from starter dose
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?
Which brand
Previous post 2 years ago showed under medicated
TSH should always be under 2
Many people when adequately treated will have TSH well below one
Most important results are always Ft3 followed by Ft4
Essential all four vitamins are optimal
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 as well as thyroid
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Thanks - I’m on 25mcg of mercuryPharma and 50mcg by Almus. The make Teva had a bad effect on me and the Dr agreed to put “not Teva” in my prescription - otherwise I be managed to keep to the same brands.I was prepared for the morning bloods as it was all arranged- but as I say - the nurse decided to do them while I was there for my ECG mid afternoon!
If I now do a private test would the GP accept different results?
I believe my dr was testing vitamins, my liver and for diabetes.
I wanted to be prepared for a discussion with the GP - so this is very helpful. Thx.
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Sub clinical Hypothyroidism and resting heart rate
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Fast heart rate from medication
Resting heart rate fluctuations
