Haven't posted for a while will try to keep it brief.
Hashimotos diagnosed since 2016, also have high BP. Things have generally been stable and have been aware I've had a low pulse for some time. These past few weeks it's dropped to 51bpm and coincides with me having a few dizzy spells and feeling extremely fatigued and generally unwell.
My BP generally runs on the high side despite a recent increase in meds but yesterday I recorded a reading of 95/65 which is unusually low for me. Spoke to a doctor who was dismissive of my symptoms said I was too young for heart block etc (I'm 47). Then in the evening I felt awful with tightness in my legs, shaking uncontrollably, cold despite a hot water bottle and normal temp 36.1. Took my BP and it had jumped to 191/101. Maybe an over-reaction but I was scared and got my husband to call for an ambulance. They declined to come and made us call 111. They were pretty useless and advised a doctor would call back. Got the call 2 hours later by which time things had settled down was no longer shaking and BP was more normal.
Just feel no-one is taking my symptoms seriously and genuinely feel something is being missed. Has anyone experienced similar or have any ideas?
Thanks for reading.xx
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Syd35
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These are symptoms that I have had. The changing blood pressure is called Labile Hypertension.
I see in the past you have trialed T3 but said you felt worse. This is usually due to low vitamin levels. As hypo people we don't absorb vitamins well due to low stomach acid caused by the hypo. If you have low vitamin levels then your thyroid hormone can't work properly. Can you ask your GP to test ferritin, folate, B12 and D3? Come back when you have the results, post them here for people to make recommendations.
GPs don't usually test FT3 so people here buy private tests to get that done, which is essential to optimise thyroid treatment and for us to feel well.
Thanks Jaydee. Interesting to hear you've experienced the same. Were you offered any treatment to help with this, has it stopped now?
I've recently had a whole host of bloods done which came back normal. Also a pelvic scan which showed fatty liver changes but told this is nothing to worry about.
Just seems a struggle getting any help these days
Can you ask your GPs receptionist to print of the results? They may have checked key vitamins. If not then ask GP to do bloods for - ferritin, folate, B12 and D3. Post results here for people to make recommendations.
I have a pretty long story. The short version is I'm now here having been housebound and unable to work for the past 9 years. It's early days getting vitamin levels optimal so my body can use the thyroid hormone I take. Also have added some T3 which I'm still adjusting my dose with. It feels positive though and I'm hopeful of better health to come.
The slightly longer version is I was eventually diagnosed with POTS and multi system dysautonomia. There are treatments which improve some symptoms but nothing for the fatigue works. Hence back to basics with sorting my thyroid out.
Never accept your GPs opinion on thyroid or vitamin results. They will tell you everything is normal when there is a lot to be done to improve your health and wellbeing.
Please remember that when GP’s say that blood results are ‘normal’ this may be far from ‘optimal’. If you post vitamin results (with ranges in brackets) members will be able to advise if your levels are optimal.
Whenever my thyroid levels fluctuate, I get increased anxiety, palpitations etc. I always recheck thyroid levels and key vitamins to try and address this.
Thanks PurpleNails. I take 125mcg Thyroxine daily and 7.5mg Ramipril for the high BP. Know to take my Thyroxine first thing and leave an hour before breakfast.
Just last month TSH was 0.77 (0.55-4.78) and T4 was 14.6 (10-25)
Poor gut function with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
Retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after going gluten free
I'm NOT a 'expert', by any means, but..... DO Contact your Doctors/ Consultants ASAP! Your Blood Pressure is 'All Over The Place', which is NEVER a Good Sign.
When you have a dizzy spell please sit or lie down and get your feet up. It's generally low BP, and if you also have a low pulse rate at the same time your BP will not be able to support you being upright. If you try to carry on through eventually you'll pass out. The dizziness, coldness and shaking you had is due to your body shutting off blood to your peripheries and diverting it to your major organs to keep you going whilst it sorts out it's little crisis. Do you have a reliable BP cuff? Rest until you feel better, take your BP & pulse. then stand up and repeat. Normal homeostasis should increase your pulse & BP slightly when doing this due to the extra effort involved. If your BP goes down you have a postural drop and this needs investigating. If you're on BP meds anyway you should be more stable so something's obviously going wrong. See your GP and try not to let them fob you off, especially as things were previously generally stable and now are not. good luck
My bp was doing the same thing. I too was diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver 7 years before my diagnosis of hypothyroid. My bp has stabilized. I had palpitations and high/low heart beats as well. My TSH is " in range" near optimal. My bp began improving with each levothyroxine increase, but I am taking supplements such as Cordyceps mushroom powder for the heart. I take Milk Thistle, Tudca and Serrapeptase for the liver. My palpitations have stopped. My bp runs 117/75 most of the time now on average up to 125/80. I experienced kidney pains when my blood pressure was very high 180/130- 210/140 stroking. I would often sweat when it got high as well. Blurry vision, headaches. When my bp was low 75/50+, I would become very lightheaded. My cardiologist wanted to put a pacemaker in my chest. I refused it. I'm 48. My ECG had shown sinus tachycardia that would become bradycardia "bradycardia-tachycardia". The Cordyceps helped me a lot. If you do decide on Cordyceps, do your research. It has Adenosine in it which is used to correct heart palpitations and arrhythmias. I gave up on all caffeine products. I drink decaf coffee, no added sugar. I drink water and Kefir. I have cut out most gluten and dairy which I think has had a great impact on my health as well.
Hello and thank you for sharing your story. Wow sounds like you've been through the mill. Heartening to hear you have found things to help you. I'll have a look into your suggestions. Thanks again
Ramipril has the effect of increasing potassium. Look up the symtoms for high potassium Potassium levels have a direct affect on insulin and therefore blood sugars.
Did they test the potassium levels? Blood sugar levels? Kidney creatinine levels? If not, demand them tomorrow because all these are a wee bit worrying if out of range and could explain your symptoms.
Come back and tell us what happened, it may help someone else on here. Hug.
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stroking. I would often sweat when it got high as well. Blurry vision, headaches. When my bp was low 75/50+, I would become very lightheaded. My cardiologist wanted to put a pacemaker in my chest. I refused it. I'm 48. My ECG had shown sinus tachycardia that would become bradycardia "bradycardia-tachycardia". The Cordyceps helped me a lot. If you do decide on Cordyceps, do your research. It has Adenosine in it which is used to correct heart palpitations and arrhythmias. I gave up on all caffeine products. I drink decaf coffee, no added sugar. I drink water and Kefir. I have cut out most gluten and dairy which I think has had a great impact on my health as well.
Have an Appt. tomorrow. Does this sound like hyperthyroidism?
Does anyone know anything about blood pressure?
Does this sound familiar?
Does anyone else have a very wide pulse pressure?
