Atrial Fibrillation caused by thyroid

[Sam1411]

I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation caused by my thyroid. I was diagnosed with thyroid problems in 1992 as I went into heart failure. I have taken thyroxine since then and after they got the dosage right felt well until a few years ago when I developed severe palpitations. Odd thing is I have to see a Cardiologist but for some reason they won’t send me to a thyroid specialist as they say my thyroid results are perfect. Anyone had a similar experience

[Titaniumfox]

Do you have your latest thyroid results you can share with us? Something doesn't add up here. You say you have A Fib caused by your thyroid, but have been told your thyroid results are perfect - so how has the call been made that your thyroid is the cause of the heart irregularities? (I don't expect you to answer that, but it makes me wonder what the doctor was thinking).

[Sam1411 in reply to Titaniumfox]

my last TSH was 2.110 should be between 0.30 and 4.70. They didn’t check T3 or T4 so waiting for another appointment. Trouble is here in Spain as everywhere there is a backlog

[Titaniumfox in reply to Sam1411]

You really need FT3 and FT4 levels. I sympathise, the UK isn't much better for getting appointments!

[Titaniumfox]

I'll add that you can get A Fib if you are under-medicated for your thyroid as well as over-medicated, so your results are important to see. What is your resting heart rate? What dosage of levo are you taking?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Are you male or female and if female pre or post menopause

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

When were vitamin levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Far too often only TSH and Ft4 are tested, which is completely inadequate

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

 

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

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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 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

or they also test thyroid and vitamins, but not antibodies for £65

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[DippyDame]

Welcome...sorry to hear you are being given the run around by medics

they say my thyroid results are perfect.

Really! Was that based on TSH and FT4 readings alone?

The heart needs a lot of T3. So did these experts test FT3?

What is your resting heart rate?

How much levo are you taking?

Do you know if you are adequately converting T4 to T3....if not your FT3 will be low which will cause problems.

In that case you may need a combo dose of T4 + T3

i'm guessing they mean your thyroid results are within the reference range....that is meaningless!!

Your results need to be on the exact point within the range where you feel well

It is important to test....

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies TPO and TG

I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation caused by my thyroid.

That sounds odd! If your thyroid problem is correctly medicated, as they claim, then afib is unlikely to occur.....

It can be caused by both under and over medication so....full labs are vital.

SlowDragon has already given you excellent advice....follow it.

Until you have had a full thyroid test that conclusion ( above) cannot be assumed....FT3 is the most important lab followed by FT4

Come back with any labs you can obtain and members will advise

Good luck!

[Marz]

How are your Iron levels ?