Depression and fluctuating heart rhythm with mi... - Thyroid UK

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Depression and fluctuating heart rhythm with missed beats.

FirnWill profile image
6 Replies

I have lived with varied symptoms appertaining to the thyroid for over 30 years. Annual blood tests always return "normal " despite all manner of symptoms, in particular the continuous uneven heartbeat, which can last for days then subside. Sometimes you come close to a faint, but then the heart settles and you just feel very tired. It would be good to learn of a more thorough diagnosis in respect of the thyroid because after half a lifetime it seems reasonable to make that request? I have been on Levothyroxine(100m) since the original diagnosis.

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FirnWill
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

FirnWill

To help us to hopefully help you, can you please post your latest thyroid test results along with their reference ange (these vary from lab to lab so it's essential we have the ranges).

Also, tell us if you did your test as we always advise for the most accurate measure of your normal level of circulating hormone:

Always advised here, when having thyroid tests:

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

Also, take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, and water only for an hour either side, as absorption will be affected. Take any other medication and supplements 2 hours away from Levo, some need 4 hours.

FirnWill profile image
FirnWill in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you very much for this. I will consult GP and report back. Much appreciate this site!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine?

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested

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

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

FirnWill profile image
FirnWill in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you very much for this information. It is a minefield out there when it comes to "symptoms " and your reply has helped greatly. I will come back on any outcome.

Hookie01 profile image
Hookie01

I used to get heart palpitations and the feeling of my heart missing a beat. My vitamins were low (vit D, b12, ferritinand folate), since I have started taking supplements etc its stopped. Might be worth looking into.

FirnWill profile image
FirnWill in reply to Hookie01

Much appreciate that point. I am afraid that thyroid issues don't always seem to generate in depth diagnosis unless you present with dramatic symptoms! I will take careful note of your suggestions. Thank for your help.

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