Has anyone had palpitations with hypothyroid? Was diagnosed hypo in early Jan and palpitations started late Jan. They've been off and on since then. Have weeks where they happen frequently then weeks when they completely go. Since Thursday they've been almost constant. It's not a racing heart beat, more like skipped beats. I've downloaded the Fibricheck app which uses the phone to check for irregular heart pattern and this says what is happening is frequent extrasystoles.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Is it likely due to hypothyroid? When I saw the GP about them in March I think they assumed it meant I was over medicated (was on 25mcg at the time) am now on 50mcg as TSH was still around 7 at last test. My next blood test is due early May. I need to follow the palpitations up with the GP as they are increasing and are uncomfortable but I am concerned they will suggest stopping the Levothyroxine again. Be grateful if anyone had any advice. Have had an ECG but didn't have palpitations when that was done so all was fine.
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Wrayofsunshine
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I'm sorry you're experiencing this, must be quite uncomfortable. Palps can definitely be due to being hypo and under replaced. Another cause may be low ferritin which is also extremely common when hypo.
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am, fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw (if you’re taking Levo) & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)?
Thanks for both replies. Vitamins etc were been tested at different points last year before I was diagnosed and were all OK (not necessarily optimal but not deficient) but not more recently. Definitely will request vitamin check from GP especially Ferretin and get them done myself if GP isn't forth coming. I am taking one of the B supplements recommended on this forum as well as vitamin D.
Yes, tested positive for antibodies and have started gluten and dairy free.
Am on Teva brand levothyroxine, was given Accord but this gave me tummy pain suspect due to lactose intolerance so have requested and been given Teva.
Next blood test due early May have been following blood testing protocol expect will need increase again.
To answer your question, yes you can have palpitations and be Hypothyroid as this has been my own experience in the last 2 years. Started off just a couple of times but got a lot worse end of last year and I ended up in A&E in January. I also get Ectopic (skipped) heart beats but had this for years.
Mine is a long story but I have had ECGs, Echocardiogram, blood tests and all were ok. I did a private blood test and found out I have Hashimotos and my Thyroid levels have been going up and then right down. After joining this forum I was advised to get vitamins tested and I was found to be deficient in folate and am on Folic Acid. Since taking this my health and heart issues have improved. Not saying it was all due to that but was a contributing factor.
I saw a private Endo and after blood tests, ultrasound of thyroid which showed typical Hashi inflammation she believes I have an autoimmune attack on the Thyroid and produce too much T4 so go temporarily Hyper hence faster heart rate and Hyper symptoms.
After 4 months my Thyroid levels are stable although being monitored. I am only on a small dose of Levo 37.5mcg.
By the way when my GP saw my initial blood results even though TSH was near to top of range he adamantly told me my heart palpitations had nothing to do with my Thyroid as I was in reference range! In other words you can't get palpitations being Hypo only Hyper. That's how much he knows!!!
It is very unsettling getting heart palpitations and I do sympathise. Fingers crossed everything will be ok with your heart and it is related to imbalance of your thyroid function which I hope gets sorted ASAP.
I am sure there are several Hypo people on here who have had similar problems with palps.
Hi Wrayofsunshine . Yes I had a lot of palpitations in the early days of getting diagnosed and starting levo 2 years ago. My TSH was very high, 165, and I had severe hypo symptoms Getting a diagnosis was delayed by Covid lockdowns etc. I thought my palpitations were probably due to adjusting to levo as my dose was increased slowly and each increase brought on episodes of unpleasant thumping heartbeats, uncomfortable thuds with what felt like a missed beat and sometimes an episode of rapid heartbeats. I was also getting increased panic attacks. It's settled down now and my levo dose is steady, but I still get episodes of panicky heartbeats, particularly at stressful times. I've had ECGs and heart scans for other reasons and nothing particularly untoward has shown up. I think it's quite common with hypo for various reasons depending on your own individual circumstances. I was advised by a Dr that I trust, (ie one that seems to understand thyroid!) that attacks on the thyroid eg covid can affect thyroid levels temporarily and make you feel overmedicated and at such times regular blood tests might be needed to check TSH and adjust the dose accordingly. But that might not be the case here for you. I'm quite an anxious person generally so I think that probably adds to my problem and increases my chances of palpitations.
I had palpitations before my diagnosis of hypothyroidism as well as with each dose increase of levothyroxine. I was hypo for at least 7 years prior to being diagnosed which is around the time my blood work had shown I was hypo, but it was ignored. I no longer have palpitations.
I've been hypo for 30 years. My first dose of thyroid hormone was an overdose and it made my heart pound non stop until they lowered to 50 m. In 2004 I smelled too much Ylang Ylang aroma therapy essence and it made my heart pound like it was going to burst out of my chest. I went to the ER (USA) and it eventually went back to a normal beat. But after that every 3 to 6 months my heart goes irregular for 1 to 2 hours in the nighttime only. I have palpitations on and off during the day sometimes and they are not dangerous says the heart doctor. What I am saying is that for me thyroid has been a factor but not the only reason. The cardiologist said I would die with the palpitations but not of them. Instead of going to the emergency like I used to, I just lay quietly and stay calm and they go away. If you have trouble breathing, or are dizzy, or have chest pain, go to the ER. Otherwise meditate and stay calm.
Hi WrayofsunshinePalpitations were the deciding factor for me to go to gp. For me they feel exactly as others describe. Big thumping beats not racing. I had the halter thing for a week that showed nothing. I've told every gp and endo I've seen and none seem concerned! I've worked on all my vitamins but I am struggling to get Ferritin raised. Still have palpitations. I hope yours settles.
I am currently going through this myself. I have palpitations really bad one week of every month and then the other weeks it's just every now and again - nothing major. It is quite worrying.
Ask your GP for a Holter ECG monitor where it stays on you for 3 days. I was told that I have Mobitz type 1 and have a few ectopic beats - both conditions are benign. I am not sure that it is these conditions that are causing my palpitations though.
I have seen that a lot of people have found good results by cutting out Gluten so I am going to give this a try. It might be something you could consider too.
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