palpitations on Carbimazole?

[nooneimportant]

for the love of sky fairies! Can Carbimazole ‘cause’ palpitations? Noticed over the last few days but thought I was imagining things - didn’t get this unmedicated ie in full swing of graves - although I think I’ve jumped back in hyper (blood test on Monday) this is new territory completely - can’t see a hand tremor and tried it at different angles but heart is racing at 90bpm (fairly high for me), headache is coming back on and I’m laying down?? I know you can get this when hyper but I never did, hypo?? Or am I AF???

[Cavapoochonowner]

Hello there,I got fast heartbeat when my T4 levels were too high.I have Graves too.I don't think it was to do with the carbimazole, but the high T4 levels.My heartrate could be in the 90's,just sitting on the sofa doing nothing.Thats one way I could tell my levels were too high,I could almost hear my heart thumping.I see you have a blood test due,so it will become clearer when you see your results.Hope this helps.

[nooneimportant in reply to Cavapoochonowner]

I didn’t have this when my T4 was high before so this is completely new to me - T4 was at the very bottom of the range but could of shot up.

Thanks anyway

[Cavapoochonowner in reply to nooneimportant]

You're welcome.This was my experience ,but you are right that some people also suffer palpitations when their T4 levels are too low.Hopefully your blood results will clear it up for you.Best wishes.

[Ness83]

How long have you been on Carbimazole? What dosage are you on? I find I get palpitations when I've been hyper and since I've been hypo, whenever my levels are not optimal.

[nooneimportant in reply to Ness83]

Over a year on Carbimazole

2.5mg daily as T4 was at the bottom of the range and causing me a lot of issues

[Ness83 in reply to nooneimportant]

I find my hyper and hypo symptoms can be really similar, especially headaches. I can't see that you will have gone overactive on 2.5mg if your T4 was at the bottom of the range on a higher dose. When I came off Carbimazole it took a long time for my levels to come back up to higher in the range. Have you had any other bloods done recently? I was suffering with headaches and a fast heart rate (going up the stairs) a short while ago and found that my ferritin levels were extremely low.

[nooneimportant in reply to Ness83]

No other blood tests just lately as I was unable to complete them 😔 I’m also suffering with debilitating depression, constipation, weight gain, headaches, fatigue (have to nap at lunchtime and sometimes straight after work), etc etc struggling to do my usual walking routines now but I’ve just read that depression can cause this and that’s got pretty bad so maybe it’s that 😞

[Ness83 in reply to nooneimportant]

I'm sorry to hear that. I take sertraline for anxiety and depression which does help, it might be worth talking to your GP about how you are feeling? It would definitely be worth asking to have full bloods done, including, ferritin, vitamin D, folate, B12 etc. I couldn't believe how similar my thyroid symptoms were to iron deficiency. I really hope you get some answers soon. Best wishes.

[nooneimportant in reply to Ness83]

Thank you

I spoke to gp that’s why they’re sending me for bloods on Monday whether I’ll be well enough to go is another matter - I take D and B12 everyday I’m really conscious about making sure I take my supplements although I can’t afford to test them too regularly they’ve always comeback ok - I’m so tired

Night all and thank you for responding x

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was treated with block and replace for Graves and I found that whenever I needed my levothyroxine increased used to get palpitations. At first I thought I was going hyper again but someone on here said I probably needed more levo and sure enough that proved to be correct. An increase of levo sorted things out.

[nooneimportant in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Oh I’m glad that worked for you 😊 I’m really tired now so I might go to bed and see if it calms down 😔

[Billycasper]

I’m so sorry to hear you’re suffering with the palpitations. They really are awful and stop you having a peaceful life. I might’ve said before that I suffered with them when thyroid levels were high or when they dropped on carbimazole. I remember I had 2 beautiful, peaceful months during treatment when I didn’t have any - absolute bliss. From then on they occurred whenever my thyroid levels were off. Finished treatment now and levels are more normal and I don’t have them. Your other symptoms sound like low thyroid too so perhaps after these blood results you’ll have a better idea of what is going on. If levels are low but in range you can still have palpitations so an adjustment in medication might be needed.

[nooneimportant in reply to Billycasper]

Thank you - I’ve felt more ill on this medication than I ever did with graves - I’ve told the endo this repeatedly and I’m now at a point where I just want to let it take it’s course I’m so miserable and unwell yet still they won’t listen 😔 I really think that’s what needs to happen now 🤷‍♀️

Anyway thank you for support

[mistydog]

Depression is a symptom of under or over treated thyroid so I would think once your levels are right, you will start to improve. Hope you start to feel better soon

[Heybella]

Hi nooneimportant

Sorry you’re feeling so unwell. I know exactly how you feel - I’m going through it myself at the moment but starting to see a tiny glimmer of hope now.

When I first started carbi, I suspect my dose was too high and I had awful palpitations at night. I think it might have been blocking too much thyroid hormone maybe?

I’ve found my symptoms seem to come from my t3 levels - too high and my heart rate is higher and it races when I get up. 😔

Do you take beta blockers or similar to help?

restarted on a lower dose and again got the palpitations but they weren’t as bad & they have mostly gone now I seem to have ‘gotten used’ the Carbi. However, I do not feel great on it at all (been back on at lower dose for around 6 weeks).

I’ve also suffered from the worst depression and anxiety since my levels have been high - a real overwhelming sense of hopelessness?

Anyway, as others have said it’ll will likely be because your thyroid levels are off.

What dose of carbi are you on?

Hope you feel better today

[Heybella in reply to Heybella]

 nooneimportant I also found that’ the endo team dismissed a lot of my symptoms because my levels weren’t wildly elevated. They also blamed a lot of my symptoms on anxiety and in all honesty, I felt they were more interested in covering themselves with letter and notes after every conversation, than actually helping me.

You must be ready to try stand your ground

[nooneimportant in reply to Heybella]

Hi Heybella

I've been on Carbimazole for about a year I think and I currently take 2.5mg daily (against endo advise of 5mg daily) my T4 is at the bottom of the range but the endo insisted it stays there until my TSH improves last TSH reading was 0.20 I think? He states I should consult my GP for low mood and other symptoms as this isn't to do with my thyroid. I take self prescribed supplements but no other medication (I'd rattle if I had to pop anymore pills).

I'm tired, so damn tired, my fingers are tingling, my throat hurts (it does when I'm high or low), my joints ache - even a 7 year old break in my foot has started aching? Palpitations have settled down this morning but I've tried to have (for me) a restful morning, although I was still sobbing on my walk this morning, I'm now trying to complete some uni work.... but scheduling a nap at 10am ...

Apparently it's 17 degrees outside but the chill in the air states otherwise but a friend said I've lost my mind so who knows :/

I want it end so I can just nod off and not wake up, not so much hopelessness just tired of it all.

[Heybella in reply to nooneimportant]

nooneimportant

I totally understand where you are coming from 😔

I have felt very much the same as you’re describing as well - hopelessness, achey joints, feeling unwell and very tired. I sometimes find I perk up a little towards the end of the day.

Also the weird temperature fluctuations?

I’ve repeatedly told my doctor, endo team etc this is NOT my usual anxiety and to not blame everything on that. It is so frustrating and disheartening.

What are your T3 levels? How long have you been on 2.5mg?

[nooneimportant in reply to Heybella]

last time my T3 was test in August last year TSH was at 0.01, then and T4 was 17.5 and T3 was 5.06 its not been tested since the GP has put TSH, FT3 and FT4 on the form this time though for Monday.

I lowered my dose about 4 weeks ago as was struggling with low symptoms and TSH was 0.20 on 30.04.24 and T4 was 12.7 on 30.04.24 - no tests since

[Heybella in reply to nooneimportant]

nooneimportant from what I understand it’s the T3 that’s pretty important in this picture. So hopefully after Monday, you’ll have a better picture.

It might be that your T3 is too low as well.

I am by no means an expert in any do this like others here!

Just wanted to give you my sympathy and understanding because everything you wrote resonates with me 😔

If t3 is low, it might be time to have say, 2.5 every other day but I guess theyre waiting for your TSH to rise more. It’s good that it has so far!

You could also ask for them to test antibodies again? Have you been diagnosed with Graves?

[Lottyplum in reply to nooneimportant]

Dear noone important - you are very important; anyone who has breath is important! As for your GP+Endo, what a couple of ignoramuses! You know how you feel+what's going on in your body better than anyone+it's time the medics of the world listened instead of spouting Twaddle to make themselves look good in their own ignorance! So, like so many on this forum do, get yr blood tests-as soon as you have the results list them here. The Admins in particular will jump on them+do their level best to give you the understanding you need to stand against the NHS tyrrany! Tomorrow is a new day+a day nearer year blood tests and some answers as to what's going on. I used what Thyroid UK said re my blood tests with GP + she capitulated! Since then, I got myself a private Endo from Thyroid UK list and my life turned around! So, again I say don't give up You are too precious to give into the c**p and there really is a better life waiting for you with the help of this forum. We are all here for you!! 💕

[Digger0]

I had palpitations before I was diagnosed with Graves. I don't think the Carbimazole made them worse - they settled when my hyper was under control.

[JuSa44]

I have heart palpitations whenever I am hyper. Maybe this is a sign your thyroid is not in balance? All the best. Hope you feel better soon!

[Maya13579]

I have never been so ill after thyroid treatment to bring my FT4 down. Many months later: Very sad that my blood results in a diff lab revealed completely different numbers to explain the now ´paradox´ symptoms. It took ages before I got on thyroid meds but the damage is done. From happy bunny to almost disabled, but numbers do not lie. Turned out they did. Big time. Will never listen to gaslighting GP again… Hurray to treat numbers not patients.

[Jazzw]

Curveball suggestion here—it might be nothing to do with the carbimazole.

Your profile doesn’t say whether you’re male or female or how old you are. So I’ll just say that I seem to be experiencing some menopause symptoms that are causing a faster heartbeat than normal. Not all the time, just on occasion.

Second—low ferritin/iron could be the cause. Do you have any recent ferritin/iron results?

[Hafa]

I had similar issues with this medicine and tried the herb Melissa (lemon balm). I had a cup of tea morning and evening. It pulled up the TSH in less than 3 days.

Source: Plant extracts from species of Lycopus (bugleweed) and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) have long been used as folk remedies in the treatment of hyperthyroidism1. In vitro studies have shown that extracts from bugleweed and lemon balm inhibit stimulation of thyroid hormone production by both TSH and Graves’ antibodies1. An in vivo study in rats showed that oral bugleweed extract alters extra-thyroidal T4 conversion2.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[nooneimportant in reply to Hafa]

Aw thank you - I did try lemon balm etc and it didn’t really do much for me I might give it another go though - thank you

[Hafa]

Good luck to you!