I was just hospitalized overnight for Atrial Fibrillation with RVR. I am an otherwise super healthy 61 yo female. For example, the only other hospitalization in my life was when I was 4 yo for pneumonia.
I have been treating hypothyroid for 45 years - first with just Synthroid, then since 2015 with Levo + Liotir. I've felt improved well being since I added the Liotir drops (T3), dose split 3x/day.
I monitor my Free T3 and Free T4 and keep them in these ranges (American) - Free T3 (3.8-4.4 pg/ml) and Free T4 (1.4-1.77 ng/dl). Though it is anecdotal, my tongue seems to swell when I inadvertently reduce my doses (for example, if I'm traveling, I tend to miss my T3 doses here and there). My TSH runs suppressed (0.01) which bothers doctors.
In the hospital, they feel that the Atrial Fibrillation was potentially caused by the suppressed TSH (tested at 0.01, Free T4 tested at 1.14, they did not test Free T3) and labeled me hyperthyroid.
I do not feel hyperthyroid, I am not losing weight (in fact slowly slightly gaining) and I do not feel over excited, etc. They are asking me to reduce my medication, which I am just starting to do... we'll see how that goes with my tongue swelling and feeling of well being.
I believe the condition was brought on by stress as we are moving to Australia in 6-7 weeks and my work has been quite challenging of late with a new boss and lots to do.
All thoughts appreciated - anyone else heard of anything like this?
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It could well be due to too much hormone, the way to find out is to trial a lower dose and see what happens. How much are you taking? Blood tests for T3 can be misleading as the timing has a big effect. This is an issue many of us face, how to get adequate relief without cardiac risk.
The "with RVR" indicates that the lower part of the heart is also getting incorrect electrical signals which leads to high beat rates: "People who have A-fib with RVR also have an issue in their lower heart chambers. They have a heart rate of 100 beats per minute or more. When you have A-fib with RVR, it’s difficult for your heart to pump the amount of blood it should. That makes it hard for your body to get the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function." My heartbeat was completely erratic jumping into the 140s, 150s, and even high 160s. Curiously, I could feel that something wasn't right, that my heartbeat felt erractice, though I didn't fee terrible or any pain.
The heart is particularly reliant on correct T3 levels so it would be good to have FT3 retested. It is not the TSH that dictates AFib but inadequate or elevated T4/T3 as it is these hormones that slow or drive metabolism.
Low thyroid hormone indirectly causes issues like high cholesterol & fatty acids build up, high BP, elevated homecysteine (impaired absorption of VitB’s and decreased liver enzymes levels), becoming overweight, etc, that in turn causes cardiac issues. Like wise hyperthyroidism can increase cardiac contractility and resting heart rate causing conditions such as sinus tachycardia and AFib.
Your heart relies on the correct amount of thyroid hormone and if you have felt well previously and your thyroid hormones are within range, it might be prudent to suggest perhaps the stress of moving has caused this. Other contributors to AFib are low iron and/or poor adrenal reserve caused by previous years of inadequate low thyroid hormone.
Heart issues are common on the forum and I think it tattybogle who has some research papers on thyroid hormone/cardiac issues.
heart.bmj.com/content/heart... Br Heart J 1982; 48: 278-84 Left ventricular function in hypothyroidism Responses to exercise and beta adrenoceptor blockade J C FORFAR, A L MUIR, A D TOFT From the Departments ofCardiology and Endocrinology and University Departnent ofMedicine, Royal Infinnaty, Edinburgh
plus diogenes most recent posts mentioning heart/ thyroid .. (there are probably others if you go back further through his posts ~ click on his name in blue to take you to his page)
Thank you radd and tattybogle for your thoughts and information. I'll plow through it. It's all such a puzzle. I usually get my Free T3 and Free T4 tested, though hospital doesn't do that. I will request when I go for followup visit next week. Thanks again!
I tested hyperthyroid once while I was taking biotin, they mistakenly took me off my thyroid meds! Eventually I had another blood test and I was severely hypo. Biotin can make bloodwork look hyper when you’re not. Also in case you are hyper I did gain weight when I was on too high a dose of T3 one time because it can cause insulin resistance. I hope you can get it sorted out
I’m in the U.K., and also have be diagnosed with AF. I also am a very fit 68 year old and I’m on Armour as Levothyroxine really doesn’t work well for me. I am undergoing procedures for my AF but so far not successful. I’m under Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge which is one of the best for heart disease in the U.K. hope you have successful treatment and like you I believe the time I was on Levothyroxine has a lot to do with my AF.
Ensure you actually have a heart problem as opposed to issues caused by the incorrect level or ratio of T4:T3.
My heart was all over the place on Levo as well, with great big bangs, flutters and fast beats but all improved once T3 was added. Now on Armour, I found it T3 potent which again made my heart jump about, so I reduced dose & added a little bit of Levo to improve T4:T3 and now my heart is fine again.
Its very interesting that the incidence of AF has gone up 40% since Covid vaccinations. I was on T4 until 5 years ago but have been T3 only since then. I had no problems until last year after my booster.
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