Help! Palpitations on 1.5 grains NDT

[Piranesi55]

I wrote that I was worried about getting palpitations and lo! I have them. Is this a self fulfilling prophecy or anxiety? I'm very conscious of my heart and am having annoying ectopic beats - these are old foes and I had them for years; they went away when I was put on a maximum dose of ace inhibitors (I'm now taking ARB's). However a few days after starting NDT it all came back and I'm in an anxiety/ palpitations/anxiety loop that I'm finding quite upsetting. I know this won't kill me but I'm finding it hard to relax.

I've emailed my thyroid dr who has asked me to do bloods to see what my T3 is like, so I'll do that next week - no good this week because of the bank hols. Meanwhile should I plough on with 1.5 or take it down to 1.0 grain?

I read somewhere that taking NDT can unmask cortisol problems - I did a cortisol test a while ago at the request of my thyroid dr and it was OK-ish but above the normal range. Should I be taking adaptogens? I was using Ashwaganda but stopped when I started the NDT, I'm not sure why I did, no-one told me to. I found it helpful and it improved my sleep so perhaps I should start again.

My blood pressure is fine but my resting pulse is higher than it was - it used to be 50 - 60 bpm and is now 60-75 bpm.

Advice would be welcome. I will be doing thyroid bloods next week and have a full blood test with my GP coming up shortly. I'll post the results here but in the meantime I'd appreciate words of wisdom, reassurance or practical tips.

Many thanks in advance.

[shaws Administrator]

I am not medically qualified but also had high pulse when on levo.

I would reduce your dose slightly when next dose is due and if you still have palpitations I'd reduce to 1 grain.

Sometimes it can take a little while to reach a dose that calms your palps.

[Imaaan]

It took my about 4 months to get to 1 grain because I struggle with tachycardia/palpitations. If you're low in any key nutrients, it may exacerbate your symptoms or make it difficult to tolerate ndt. I've been using ashwagandha since 2015 and have found it helpful for my cortisol. I just can't tolerate more than 250 or taking it later in the day. Magnesium glycinate is been helpful for me but can only tolerate 330, split in 2 doses. My pulse rate averages around the 80s-90s. During my 20yrs of being on some form of thyroid meds, my tell tale sign to reduce my thyroid meds is when I start to experience chest pain.

For the ndt, I am increasing by 15mg every month or so. Also, what has greatly helped me is splitting my dose up which I learnt from

SlowDragon

[Piranesi55 in reply to Imaaan]

Thank you Imaan, that’s helpful. I was really excited because I was sure I felt better on 1/2 - 1 grain. I went up too fast I think. I’ll start on the Ashwaghanda again. I’m taking Magnesium Citrate but will switch to Glycinate as I’m getting stomach issues with the Citrate. It’s a real juggling act getting all this right but it’s worth it to have more energy.

[Imaaan in reply to Piranesi55]

You might want to hold off on the ashwagandha until you know where your cortisol levels are Wishing you better health. Its mentioned here a few times how to titrate up, just cant remember or I'd mention it. I had to go at a slower pace though because of my heart.

[Peanut31]

Hi,

I can’t tolerate any more than 2 grains of NDT, tried increasing VERY slowly to me, but left me feeling anxious, jittery.

I now take a combination of NDT & Levo.

Best wishes

Peanut31