Heart rate and hypothyroidism

[Dshadzz07]

So my heart rate drops between 55-65 when laying at rest I feel this is really low, could my hypothyroidism be effecting this. Will it kill me? I’m just scared about it.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Dshadzz07

You asked this a month ago here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

and SlowDragon explained that you were likely ready for next increase of Levo.

Have you had that increase in dose yet?

If you are worried enough to ask if it will kill you then you need to talk to your GP, if you haven't had that dose increase then push for testing now.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ve been on holiday, they said I had to wait till the end of July to get my test done for a dose increase. They wouldn’t listen.

[Anthea55]

Athletes have low heart rates - much lower than that. Does that apply to you?

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Anthea55]

No I’m not an athlete, quite overweight tbf. It said 60-100 is normal. So I’m thinking it’s ok but just I get really anxious.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you’re a young bloke it’s unlikely that 75mcg levothyroxine is high enough dose unless you are very slight

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Request GP retest thyroid and vitamin levels

Always test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

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

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

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

[Dshadzz07]

I weigh about 140kg so quite a big guy but I’m 6ft 2. I know I need a higher dose the doctors just weren’t ready to retest my bloods a couple weeks ago.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dshadzz07]

So you are likely to need several further increases in levothyroxine over coming months

Book blood test for 9am, or earlier if possible

This gives highest TSH

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[Pearlteapot]

It depends on the person. I was also worried by the statement found in various places on the web 60-100 is normal. A bit more research also found articles that said the 60 bpm cut off for 'normal' is too high and anything over 50 is 'normal'. I was researching this because my resting heart rate was 45-48 before diagnosis. It stayed that low and even lower at times when I started levo and was underdosed.

I've stopped wearing my apple watch so I have no idea what it is now. It provoked too much anxiety.

I will start checking it again when I feel that I am properly dosed by other measures.

[Astridnova in reply to Pearlteapot]

My pulse sits comfortably around 60 and I get compliments from doctors. However, the norm might be a bit higher for some people, and the 60 could indicate a slow metabolism in hypothyroidism. So, how do you feel?

[Batty1]

When you say your pulse is really low at rest are you talking about when your sleep or just sitting around watching TV? Its not unusual to see low 50s during rest ( no activity) and even lower at sleep as you go through the sleeping stages.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Batty1]

Yeah when I’m lying on bed chilling out, watching tv or listening to music. hits like 52 sometimes. So it’s not uncommon for that ?