palpitations

[jodiej79]

hi has anybody experienced palpitations all day and night I’ve had them for two weeks now I went to the walk in centre and they did a ecg ,bloods ,blood pressure ,everything was ok I’ve had palpitations in the past sporadic but not like this I was on 100mcg thyroxine the doctor has put me on 75mg and said that should help but it’s not I go abroad in two weeks and I’m worried as I’ve not had them this bad before they seem to be worse when I’m resting and not busy ?

[seveneleven]

I have POTs so sometimes get that with even mild dehydration. Electrolytes usually help. Just mentioning in case, but others will be able to advise on thyroid-related possibilities.

[jodiej79 in reply to seveneleven]

hi I thought maybe it was electrolytes so started having drinks with electrolytes in to see if it helps but sadly made no difference

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How long were you on 100mcg levothyroxine

Did you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What were most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drinking way between waking and test, and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high TPO or high TG thyroid antibodies

Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and full iron panel test for anaemia including ferritin

Low iron/ferritin can be a cause of palpitations

As can being UNDER medicated for thyroid

Approximately how much do you weigh in kilo

[jodiej79 in reply to SlowDragon]

hi I think I was on 100mg for about 6 months I get my bloods done every 6 months to check my levels yes I have always had the same brand not sure what my levels were as the doctor didn’t tell me she just said I have to lower my dose to 75mg as it had over corrected itself

I do have hashimotos yes I’m 44 now I was diagnosed at 19

I’m taking b12 and started taking vitamin d and calcium yesterday

I also had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago so not sure if that could be causing problems too I weigh around 64 kg

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jodiej79]

What were TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results BEFORE dose was reduced

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[jodiej79 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not sure what the results were the doctor didn’t specify she just said that it had over corrected itself and I needed to reduce my dose

Yes test was done early morning and I didn’t take any thyroxine before I had the test done

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jodiej79]

NEVER agree to reducing dose without seeing actual results

If Ft3 wasn’t over range you’re not over medicated

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

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still 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.

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

Also 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

Far too often only thing tested is TSH

Dose levothyroxine should not be adjusted based on TSH

[jodiej79 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your help I will ring the surgery on Monday

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jodiej79]

Come back with new post once you get copies of recent results

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

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...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jodiej79]

are you taking any HRT

If yes, patch or pills

[jodiej79 in reply to SlowDragon]

I started taking hrt gel about 4 weeks ago

[Ev_angeline]

A while ago I started to experience palpitations, irregular heartbeats, occasional dizziness and other related symptoms. After 2 years of many health checks (ECG was 'normal', just extra beats) and changes in my levo dose, changing diet and so on (nothing worked), I tried Magnesium citrate supplements and, to my amazement, every symptom disappeared in a matter of days. It may not work for everyone but it's worth a try.

[jodiej79 in reply to Ev_angeline]

thank you I’m willing to try anything i will order some magnesium citrate can I ask if you had the palpitations all day and through the night ? I’ve had palpitations in the past but never constant like this

[Ev_angeline in reply to jodiej79]

It was on and off at the beginning but symptoms became eventually more permanent, also at night. I noticed they were worse in hot weather and whe exercising or sweating for any reason. Hope this helps.

[jodiej79 in reply to Ev_angeline]

thank you for your help my pulse is really slow as well it’s more noticeable when I’m resting if I’m busy then I don’t notice it as much I have noticed it gets worse when I eat or drink for some reason I will try the magnesium citrate though

[Ev_angeline in reply to jodiej79]

Eating/drinking also triggered my symptoms! You just reminded me of this. Well, I hope the cause of your palpitations is the same as mine because the cure is an easy one.🤞 Keep us updated.

[jodiej79 in reply to Ev_angeline]

thank you so much for your help I will let you know how I get on with the magnesium citrate

[Dlm3557]

hi Jodie.

Yes I’ve had palpitations on and off for a few months and recently they are more frequent. I’m also hypo after having radioiodine treatment for Graves in 2017. I paid to see a cardiologist privately and he did an ECG and told me not to worry. Lately I’ve started with an odd chest pain as well. GP was worried and sent me to A&E!!

They found nothing and sent me away.

I’ve done loads of research and it seems that if you are over medicated on levo then this can cause palpitations. So I decided myself to reduce my current dose of 75ug down to 50ug. for a month and see if it helps. I’ll also do another blood test at that point.

I’m sure people will have a view on this but I’m so fed up of it I need to do something!

It appears that your GP is thinking along similar lines!

I’ll let you k ow if it changes anything.

[jodiej79 in reply to Dlm3557]

hi thank you for your reply I’m up to 4 weeks having them day and night I’m worried it’s damaging my heart the gp doesn’t seem to be taking me seriously I visited the surgery again on Wednesday just gone and I asked could I be sent for an x ray or echocardiogram as I’ve had ecgs and the 24hr ecg before she dismissed it and said it wouldn’t show anything up for palpitations instead she’s sending me for another 24hr ecg but not until the 10th august I’m worried now as I go away to Canada next Thursday for two weeks the palpitations are constant now day and night she told me to give it at least a month on the new thyroxine dose but I’m thinking maybe it’s not thyroid related as I have them all through the night too I have been on the new dose a few weeks now and not changed anything palpitations still the same I’m worried it may be afib

Can I ask were your palpitations permanently there like mine or did they come and go ?

[Dlm3557 in reply to jodiej79]

oh I do feel for you. I know it’s worrying and very unsettling. I am getting them at various times, worse in the evening or when I get into bed but they do go off when I’m asleep. I paid privately to see a cardiologist when it first started and he wasn’t worried at all. It’s difficult to know what to say. You have to do what feels right for you,

[jodiej79 in reply to Dlm3557]

thank you for your help I feel fine in myself just the palpitations and discomfort in my chest blood pressure ok ecg was fine bloods were ok so not sure what’s going on hopefully get to the bottom of it

[bantam12 in reply to jodiej79]

If you had Afib it would have shown on your various tests, Drs are rarely bothered about palpitations especially when all tests come back clear.

[jodiej79 in reply to bantam12]

hi the ecg was only around 30 seconds so not really enough time to pick anything up when the gp said she was sending me for another 24hr ecg she said it was to rule out afib and other arrhythmias nobody seems to know what it is it’s getting me down I have at least 10 palpitations a minute

[Dlm3557 in reply to jodiej79]

Results were exactly the same for me. To be honest mine seem to be settling a bit now I have lowered my Levo dose. I hope yours do the same.

[jodiej79 in reply to Dlm3557]

thank you well I have just taken some magnesium and it has helped with the palpitations thanks for your help appreciate it