Amiodarone and existing hypothyroidism

[Moremy]

What effect does it have on TSH blood results. Mine came back 0.25. I’m so fatigued and piling on weight. I thought the lower the reading result it shows hyperthyroidism. Have I now become hyperthyroid. Am I correct? Is the amiodarone (for persistent my A Fib) throwing out my thyroid?

[jimh111]

Amiodarone contains massive amounts of iodine, over 200x the RDA. Consequently, it can have unpredictable effects on thyroid function which last for many months. I don't know why they use amiodarone in anyone let alone thyroid patients.There are alternative beta blockers for atrial fibrillation. When I had a brief period of AF my GP prescribed sotalol. A cardiologist could advise.

[Moremy in reply to jimh111]

Thank you jimh111. I’m keen to come off it but the cardiologist wants to keep me on it until they perform another ablation. It’s been the only med that has kept me in sinus. Fingers crossed they’ll sort out the procedure soon. It’s certainly something I need to ask them but wondered if anybody had any experience of this.

[jimh111 in reply to Moremy]

I've no experience of amiodarone, I can see there is little choice. Good luck with the procedure. Make sure the cardiologist is aware of your thyroid problems. If your doctor hasn't checked TSH, fT3, fT4 (all three), get them to do so. They will have to put in a special request mentioning that you are a special case as the labs don't usually do fT3 for GPs

[Moremy in reply to jimh111]

Thank you again that’s great advice

[CoeliacMum1]

My mum who is about 83 had no thyroid problem's - which I find hard to believe in my opinion she definitely showed some symptoms but she wouldn’t be very proactive in get things tested or results of tests, when tested Drs continually said fine we all know what that can be 🤔

She went on Amiodarone in Summer of 2022 as a last resort, as she’s reacted badly to other heart meds unfortunately, and too poorly for heart operation she now has hypothyroidism and struggling to even take liquid Levothyroxine so on a very low dose and they’re now trying to increase by taking several small doses instead on one or two larger doses.

Cardiologist are usually well aware this drug causes thyroid problems I guess it can go either way hypo or hyper… my mum is absolutely exhausted also now on B12 injections which has helped her mood somewhat she has no patience whatsoever for much conversation everything is an ordeal gets on top of her just talking about her health … some of that will be age related I’m sure she is quite anxious and avoidant she wouldn’t say she is, but half the problem but then thyroid can cause mental health problems too.

I’m sure her GP surgery have waited far too long to treat this known issue until her thyroid was really bad, that said apart from on going mobility issues as her knees are bad and swelling in feet she’s ok or seems better than last year.

[Moremy]

I’m so sorry that it wasn’t picked up earlier for your mum. I can confirm that the exhaustion is enormous, it’s not feeling tired it’s definitely beyond that. Everything is just too much to cope with and seeing a job that needs doing but you cannot summon up the energy to do it is a downward spiral. I’m not surprised that it our mental health is effected. Hopefully she’ll start bouncing back even more once the correct is found. 🤞