My tsh only test hospital took is 1.98 in range. Range on blood test is 0.04-4
I saw cardiologist should have seen the EP but it said one of his team, he said an ablation was not really necessary as I manage my symptoms. And until my thyroid sorted I would just go back in.
he did a tsh as all he could order for thyroid. But said the endroconologist might do a full panel.
The endro told me that the T3 could be causing my Afib, I am on 40 micrograms split into 2 doses.
I had a bad reaction to levothyroxine after the first and only vaxx ! And can’t take it anymore.
any ideas? I want out of this AF.
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Lilylui
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Ask for extra lances from your private testing company. Also, believe it or not some fingers are better than others for getting blood out of. Learn which ones are yours. So plenty of lances help you relax and this really helps with getting enough blood for finger prick tests. Ask every time you buy a blood test and you might be able to keep some in reserve. As well as exercising beforehand, get a basin of hot water for your hands prior to taking test. It’s worked for me and I am literally ‘like getting blood out of a stone’ when I must do it. Saves a fortune on nurse blood draws.
I know it is inconvenient but it is a small price to pay to get good treatment. I am in that position. I drive 200 miles to the doc that prescribes me the only medication that keeps me normal. It is three hours there and three hours back and I do it three times a year to pick up my prescription or get an occasional blood test. It is what I do instead of putting up with the frustration of trying to get local doctors (and Endos) to prescribe the correct dosage for me or order the right number of tests (which they won't or have no clue as to what I am talking about - T3! Oooooh can't measure or prescribe that!).
Do the drive, it's the lesser of a number of evils.
I am afraid we are on different continents. I live in California now although I am English. The way I found an Endocrinologist was by desperately "shopping around". I became very ill taking Levo alone on a dose which kept my TSH within a range which was acceptable to my (then) Endo. I am sure I was dying and repeatedly told my (then) Endo who kept saying that her job was done because all of my numbers were in the correct ranges. That was baloney. I rushed to my GP not knowing exactly what I expected him to do but he was very sympathetic and said to go and get a second Endo's opinion, so I did. It took me about three days of desperate driving around walking into different doctors offices but I did feel as if I only had about a couple of weeks to live! Finally I found a sensible Endo via a nice lady in the insurance office who saw my near desperation and asked if she could help. I could not control my tears. She said, "Oh my gosh, I had exactly the same problem"! and told me exactly which hospital to go to and which doctor to ask for.I did exactly what she told me. When the new Endo and myself stabilised a dose of Armour NDT , he passed the info on to my GP and that is how it has been ever since. You just have to pour in every ounce of time and energy that you have until you find a sensible doctor who will prescribe the correct medication for you in the right dose. So the answer to your question is just to keep at it, go see as many doctors as you can, don't feel embarrassed, you might make a fool of yourself now and again but try not to let it bother you. Keep shopping around, you only need one sensible doctor and you might be surprised what comes out of left field.
Thank you. I’ll keep trying. I felt so unwell immediately on levothyroxine, I could hardly walk. Severe vice like headaches, I didn’t sleep AT ALL for four days, bad nausea etc but yes it worked in reducing my TSH but for me it’s like poison. I tried it twice the last time in very small doses to wean myself into it but same, poison. Thank you for your response I’m glad you got yours sorted!
I was really surprised when I googled ‘private phlebotomy’ to find a tiny private clinic just five minutes from my home. I don’t live in rural Wales, but my search did show there’s been a proliferation of private testing places. I contacted this new one round the corner and they’ve said they’ll have to see the tube before confirming if they can do it. And they’ll charge £20 which I think is a bit steep.
I got the nurse at the GPs to do it a couple of times by just springing it on her without asking, but I think they might be hiring a phlebotomist now, who can only do what’s been ordered by the GP.
Have you tried requesting private draw at your local hospital?
The last time I did a finger prick test I made sure I was really well hydrated - drinking water the day before as well as the hour before. It made a big difference to the blood flow.
These are a few notes I saved from previous posts on hypothyroidism and Atrial Fibrillation:
May or may not be linked to having thyroid disease
As far as hypothyroidism in general is concerned a body of research on people would really need to be put together that Hypothyroidism specifically causes Afib, though it is agreed not receiving treatment long termly causes multiple health problems including heart disease. My limited understanding is that this is due to the high cholesterol levels that it causes which does affect the heart functioning leading eventually to a heart attack if not addressed.
There is evidence that over treatment, especially of T3 is linked to Afib if Ft 4 & Ft3 are not kept in range... this from two highly regarded thyroid doctors. .
I acknowledge that Hypothyroidism is well known for the diversity of how it can present so can't say it would not result in Afib but it isn't a main symptom
Yes, I agree. From my own personal experience when I was fiddling around with my T4/T3 doses I found simply that if I took too much T3 then I would get Afib. The answer was to immediately drop the dose to the previous dose and then creep up on it again in smaller increments. The other thing is to watch your blood pressure. Do the same thing. If your Blood pressure rises too much, cut back on the T3.
These effects are probably the reason why doctors are reluctant to prescribe T3. If the dose s/he suggests is too far over your limit you may not survive to the next appointment. You have to react immediately if your dose affects your heart (well, the next day when you take your next dose of T3). Therein lies the problem.
It's a good idea to buy a blood pressure machine from the chemist, these days they will also detect Afib. Take measurements frequently throughout the day when you are changing T3 doses.
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