palpitations and hyper/graves

[Cebeez]

hi, diagnosed Aug 21, numbers all now in range according to endo but my heart continues to race, often. Had ecg all ok, waiting for a 3 day ecg tape. Endo is certain this is not to do with thyroid, although never had an issue till now.

latest results she gave me :

Ft3 4.2

Ft4 17

TSh 4.4

Should I be pushing for more heart checks or a second endo opinion? I want to stop taking propanalol but scared I might have a heart attack. Heart is less racey whilst taking but still get palpitations

[PurpleNails Administrator]

welcome to forum

Can you add range to results . Ranges vary, to be accurate we need them.

What were your results when diagnosed? Did you start on higher carbimazole dose.

FT3 looks on low side by most ranges & TSH higher than where most feel well.

[Cebeez in reply to PurpleNails]

thank you for the reply. I’ve only had the ranges once when first tested at a&e, would they be the same ? I’ll add a photo .

I did start on 30mg carb daily

First set of results

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Cebeez]

Wow, high Trab & high levels.  

Confirmation you have hyper Graves.

Might be time to start taking carbimazole every other day. 

 How much propranolol do you take?

Does have antithyroid element to it, might be why FT3 low.   Reduce very slowly. if you do try to stop. I think I’d wait until after ECG.

Endocrinologist always say not thyroid related if levels in range, GP will say classic thyroid symptom see endocrinologist. 

 How are nutrients?  Folate,ferritin, vitamin D & B12 Often low with abnormal thyroid & mimic symptoms. 

[Cebeez in reply to PurpleNails]

I am taking 5mg every other day since last results in August

I did stop propanalol but started taking again when told to by endo and now taking 20mg 3xs a day

Yes that’s what I’m finding at the moment both saying I need to see the other.

Thank you for the reply

[Cebeez in reply to Cebeez]

forgot to say, I’m not being tested for those things but I have a blood bag and could just tick the boxes as due tests in next week or so

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Cebeez]

Most areas have coded request form - you cant add extra test to, the lab will test what was originally requested - but if you can them and not get on wrong side of doctor (or dare to anyway) go ahead!

If carbimazole dose was adjusted in august you are due a re check of levels. I’m glad it was reduced.

I felt very unwell when stopping & starting propranolol.  It wasn’t so much the affect on heart rate, I had migraines.  

[Cebeez in reply to PurpleNails]

my next appointment is next week.

This is my blood bag they send me to take with me, I’ve ticked the ones I recognise from those that you and slowdragon said , I have another bag if they question it and refuse, worth a try I guess

Thankfully no migraines for me just the heart problem

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High heart rate and palpitations can be because of being hypothyroid and/or low iron/ferritin or magnesium

TSH over 3 suggests hypothyroid

Please add ranges on Ft4 and Ft3

Was test done early morning

Are you currently taking Carbimazole or propranolol

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

Palpitations and breathlessness is frequently low iron/ferritin levels

See/contact GP Request FULL iron panel test including ferritin.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies too

Genuine autoimmune HYPERTHYROID disease, called Graves’ disease MUST be diagnosed by high TSI or high Trab antibodies

Autoimmune HYPOTHYROID disease, also called Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

For Hashimoto’s important to test TPO and TG antibodies.

Can also be slightly raised with Graves’ disease

We see steady stream of early stage Hashimoto’s patients misdiagnosed as Graves Patients if all thyroid antibodies aren’t tested

[Cebeez in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not taking any supplements I am taking carbimazole and propanalol.

I don’t think my iron etc have been tested but I think they were when the results added above were done, I know they said b12 was ok. Liver wasn’t great but last tests it was back in range.

I think bloods were taken in the morning last time

I have a blood bag for my next panel, can I just tick the extra boxes would you know? And which ones?

I’ve had tests that say trab and tpo positive

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cebeez]

how much Carbimazole and how much Propranolol

can you add actual results for Trab and TPO

Also find any previous results and ranges for

B12, folate, ferritin and Vitamin D

[Cebeez in reply to SlowDragon]

5mg carb every other day and 60mg prop every day.

Only results I can find are ALT 15 and ALP 118 back in may, are they iron related? All results only say trab and tpo positive

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cebeez]

suggest you request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin, B12 and magnesium levels

[Cebeez in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will do

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If GP unhelpful

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

[Cebeez in reply to SlowDragon]

That’s great thank you