Atrial fibrillation diagnosis

[Michellear]

Hello all!

thyroid levels appear to be coming down for Graves and symptoms subsiding!! Then yesterday felt really unwell high heart rate for 12 hours of Atrial fibrillation

Could this be caused by Graves?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Just when you think life is getting better!!

[Jazzw]

Are you in the U.K., Michellear? The unusual (for here anyway!) hot weather is causing faster heart rate even in those who are healthy. My HR is usually between 70 and 76 and it’s currently 85, even though I’m doing nothing. Looking forward to the temperatures coming down!

I’m just thinking that a combi of hot weather and Graves resurgence could be causing issues.

When you say diagnosed, did you spend some time in hospital? Is your heart rate irregular as well as fast?

[Michellear in reply to Jazzw]

Hi JazzW thanks for the reply. Yes I’m in the UK. I’m on beta blockers for the graves but I woke up yesterday to a heart rate of 192 bpm. Apple Watch showed AF and confirmed at hospital. So heart rate irregularly fast

Got sent home after more drugs and beta blockers with a heart rate of 130 and still in Af which I found bizarre!! Hospital was over run. I was left in the waiting room for the 9 hours I was there.

The AF lasted about 12 hours!! Offered no blood thinners.

My heart rate would normally be about 70

The heat is awful Graces gives me a heat intolerance that means I sweat in the winter!!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Michellear]

For a start - you poor thing. An increased heart rate like that feels absolutely awful not ti mention scary.

I felt a bit like that when I first had Graves - I was given carbimazole but I didn’t feel all that great - pounding heart etc - until after three months on carbinazole alone when I was started on levothyroxine as well (my hospital treats using block and replace).

Even then I found that whenever I needed an increase in levothyroxine I got hyper symptoms again. I was never given beta blockers though because I had asthma.

No more problems until this time last year when I was prescribed Naproxen and omeprazole after I fractured my sacrum and at one point my heart rate went up like yours is doing. My normal resting heart rate tends to be anything from 59 to the very low 60s - so being way over 100 was really unpleasant.

As well as the increased heart rate I had the most awful diarrhoea and in the end the doctor said ti stop the Naproxen but to double up on the omeprazole. I did that but I still felt dreadful so I stopped that too and things went back to normal.

It’s an outside chance but could you be taking any other meds that could be affecting you?

[Michellear in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi you sound like you’ve had an awful time.

This Graves is so scary with all the affects on your body and heart.

I’ve been in resus so many times with a high heart rate 180/190. Beta blockers were keeping it under control until I developed A FIB.

Not on any other meds

I hope you start feeling better soon x

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Did the hospital carry out thyroid function test blood test?

Or have you had the levels checked recently?

Is your hyper levels under good control with carbimazole & propranolol? and are the FT4 & FT3 in range? The TSH will be unreliable - Monitoring & dose adjustment should not be based on TSH.

Having prolonged hyper is associated with afib. It’s often the case that once the thyroid levels are stable it can resolve.

As you describe relapses with covid it’s likely you have sone untreated levels for a time, so there may be a connection.

How was it left? Will you see a specialist or is GP expected to monitor.

[Michellear in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi PurpleNails

Good to hear from you again!!

I’m not sure if they checked my thyroid levels at A and E the whole experience was a nightmare TBH.

I know my levels were checked about two weeks ago and T3 and T4 were coming down but not quite in range.

The carbimazole and propranolol seemed to be getting everything under control however I as still having symptoms up until a week ago not sleeping for three days and only sleeping for 30 mins and waking up and feeling dreadfully hot even on a cool day

I’ve had issues with the Endo not following up my calls no follow up to appointments it’s been awful. It’s like you’re just left to get on with it!!

A and E said someone would contact me for a follow up. However I plan to contact the GP tomorrow.

If the A fib happens again I will be attending a different hospital!!

Thanks for all Your advice.

Take care and hope you’re well x

[jimh111]

High thyroid hormone levels can certainly cause atrial fibrillation, they don’t have to be over the upper limit. Your doctor or GP needs to check your levels again. If it happens again I would mention that your endocrinologist does not answer your calls. You and your doctors will need to work out how you can get your levels under control.

If the atrial fibrillation isn’t brought under control and you end up needing more drastic treatment like ablation it can affect your chances of getting insurances like health insurance and travel insurance. So, you don’t want to let things drift.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would push your GP for another thyroid test and ask for a print out of levels taken at last test. Sending you very best wishes Michellear 🦋