Amiodarone treatment: Could this medication be affecting T4 to T3 conversion?

[DizzyD]

Hi all this is my second post concerning the effects of Amiodarone on the thyroid. I don't have a thyroid but this medication also effects T4 T3 conversion. In my previous post some well informed and knowledgeable people suggested that I keep a close eye on my thyroid levels along with being vigilant for hyper or hypo symptoms because this toxic medication really can interferes with the thyroid and thyroid meds. Have been on Amiodarone since 17 April 23.

Am sending for test kit tomorrow from medichecks re: thyroid levels. In the meantime I just wanted to run some symptoms by you because I am not sure if they are hyper or hypo symptoms.

First of all since being on this medication my core temp has risen to 37.6 which is very unusual for me because prior to this my core temp did not rise above 35.2. My inflammation marker is 2 so I assume I do not have an infection anywhere in my body.

More generalised information: chronic insomnia, sore tired watery eyes with light sensitivity, anxiety but no palpitations that I am aware of while awake. However, this morning after a sleepless night I took my thyroid meds (75mg levo + 1/2 of 30mcg of Efra) and fell asleep and was having a normal dream which turned into a chaotic and anxiety provoking dream which I woke up from. So two hours had passed since I took my thyroid meds. Could this indicate a peak of t3 along with a rise in heart rate while I was asleep, hence the chaotic dream? Over the past few weeks these type of dreams occur quite often. Could this be due to a change in thyroid conversion due to Amiodarone?

I am not hyper active during the day, brain fog has improved greatly which is a bonus. Also I don't do afternoon naps anymore even though my body feels tired at times I do not get the mental fatigue that used to accompany the tired body. What is going on here?

Really would appreciate some feedback as to what you think is going on here. Am reaching breaking point due to extreme insomnia. I need to find out what is causing it so that I can live in the solution rather than the problem.

Sincere thanks you for taking the time to read this post

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Are you able to share your latest blood results as I think thats the best way of assessing what, if any effects this medication may be having?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There is a large cross over of symptoms bewteen hypo and hyper so very difficult to tell accurately other than seeing blood numbers.

What supplements are you taking?

What were your latest vitamin results - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[Hidden]

The short answer is that this drug messes up thyroid hormone and is best avoided.

You should ask your doctor to prescribe another drug for anti arrhythmia or reduce hormone /meds. Your symptoms point to over medication caused by the Amiodarone. It’s so counterproductive to be taking an anti arrhythmic that can cause AF and other worrying symptoms.

[DizzyD in reply to Hidden]

H Porridge37 this toxic dangerous drug was prescribed as a last resort to treat severe AF after being admitted to ACU. The severe AF was caused by a cardiologist in a+e who prescribed Flecainide to treat AF two days earlier. I informed this cardiologist that I could not take Flecainide due to a blocked artery which my cardiologists wanted to investigate before prescribing it. She insisted it would be ok for me to take the Flecainide...In fact she coerced me into taking this drug. 2 days after being on this drug AF went off the scales. I am lucky to be alive. Hence this drug was prescribed for six months only. So far had no AF attacks as of yet.

If I my thyroid blood test reveals that I am over medicated as you so kindly pointed out I will have to sort it myself along with help from knowledgeable people on this forum because it's pointless dealing with GP because NHS do not test T3 along with T4. Last NHS blood test was on 12 May. I assume this included thyroid test. Nonetheless, was told blood results were fine.

[Hidden]

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re the victim of medical incompetence (some would say negligence ).

I’m now at the point where I’m afraid to go to a GP. When I can get an appt (which is rare) I’m having a bucket load of and inaccurate rubbish.

In the last two years I’ve been to see private consultants on a few issues. Sometimes they’re ok but many times they have little more understanding of the issues we face than the wonderful people on this forum. They just spend more time telling you what they don’t know and then send you for tests that may provide some answers.

I know that it’s no laughing matter. I wish you well in your quest for good health.

Take care

[DizzyD]

Same here...Over the past three years I have spent literally thousands on private consults. Like yourself I fear going to GP for anything. They certainly have the art of gaslighting people down to a T. Honestly, I have even resorted to buying general medications such as antibiotics from abroad just In case I need them. Yippee I self diagnosed celulitis recently caused by insect bites and it is clearing up nicely now thanks to my stash of antibiotics. Would have taken ages to get to see GP and would more than likely be given some cream. Just looked up treatment for the celulitis on NICE website and I treated it accordingly. Job done!Considering all that's going on I am doing quite well in my quest for good health.

Oh by the way I educated a doctor in a+e recently who questioned me because it was written in my medical records that I was diabetic and on medication for it. This was news to me. Informed him that I was pre-diabetic years ago along with high cholestrol. He wanted to know how these issues were resolved. He asked, "did you exercise and change your diet".I replied, "No I was fit and healthy and my diet was fine". He looked perplexed and I said "I sorted my thyroid levels out and pre-diabetes/ cholesterol problem was resolved." He walked away with knowing smile on his face.

All my knowledge was attained from, thankfully from this awesome forum.