Afib + T3 meds

[terebol]

Hi a couple of mos. back, there was discussion (&link from one of the administrators) re T3 meds & afib. I've had autionary words, but not push back from my endo re my ndt dosage & would like to send along the info. After putting afib in search bar, it did not reveal what I was looking for. Thank you!

[humanbean]

This is probably not what you were looking for, but you might find it interesting :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[DandyThyro in reply to humanbean]

Very useful! Thanks, humanbean.

[terebol in reply to humanbean]

thank you! been swamped w/work; hence delay

[terebol in reply to humanbean]

thank you for the link--its great info

[Hashihouseman]

the more insidious risk of AFib etc looks more likely to come from excess T4.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/315....

- that research showed no association with fT3 levels at normal to high ranges. I guess you could cause AFib from thyrotoxic levels of T3 but I can’t help thinking that would be more likely to be from substantial accidental overdose than slight excess from self treatment dosing because the effects of excess fT3 are so immediately unpleasant and unbearable the dose would be adjusted down pretty damn quick….

My heart definitely has had AFib and palpitations from attempts by endocrinologists to have me medicating hypothyroidism by simply being top of range fT4 (on levothyroxine only) with insufficient fT3 ….. lowering fT4 and increasing fT3 cured it!

The heart muscle has significant propensity to convert T4 in situ (according to expression of DI02 enzyme markers) and so it is very plausible that excess fT4 will, as it does everywhere, reduce rate and volume of T4-T3 conversion and sub-optimal levels of fT3, which in the simple language of my experience, leaves the heart muscle gasping for breath or profoundly disrupted, like a misfiring car engine!

[arTistapple in reply to Hashihouseman]

@terebol. The Canadian website says high T4 and low T3 is the worst combination for the likelihood of developing Atrial Fibrillation. Sorry I can’t put up the direct connection.

I like your description Hashihouseman, “leaves the heart muscle gasping for breath”. That’s the best description I have seen of my heart, when anything is required of it. And yet I seem to be unable to take T3. T3 eventually causes angina and increased pounding heart rate, even at a very low dose. Very unpleasant. It’s great it’s able to deal with this upset at my age but as I say very unpleasant. I am working on adrenals now but confidence has taken some bad blows.

[DandyThyro in reply to Hashihouseman]

My own experience reflects what you're saying: too much T4 led to me to tachycardia and a 'cardiac event' which they first diagnosed as a heart attack, and developing paroxysmal AFib, which over time has become persistent. Reducing T4 and adding a small dose of T3 has helped me generally, but GPs were very reluctant to support me on this issue, and I now have both a cardiac and thyroid problem and only the cardiologists are bothered to treat me.

[Hashihouseman in reply to DandyThyro]

yes why is that! Why are endocrinology teams so universally useless cynical and negative whereas the cardiologists leap into action and seem interested and empathetic and prepared to do something about it! Another one of the mysteries of the ailing NHS

[DandyThyro in reply to Hashihouseman]

Yes, we all love the NHS but it always seemed to take on new information, or complexity, with geological speed, and now it's crumbling under mismanagement. I have my own opinions over whose mismanagement, but I know others may differ...😁

[arTistapple in reply to DandyThyro]

I have never felt my T4 was high enough to drop it when attempting T3. I like that you reduced T4 and the addition of a small does of T3 helped you generally. I am waiting for a cardio appointment since Endo won’t touch me without cardio support. Your experience is very interesting to me as I am clearly suffering low T3.

[DandyThyro]

If you get a good cardiologist, they will at least understand that your thyroid is implicated in your cardiac health. However, not all of them understand that under-medicated hypothyroidism can cause as many and similar problems as hyperthyroidism or being over medicated. My cardiologists do just look at the heart, while at least despairing a little that I have a thyroid condition limiting their options: I am still waiting for that magic specialist, which might be called something like an endocardiologist. I hope you get the help you need.

[arTistapple in reply to DandyThyro]

Clever DandyThyro. If only!