For 6 weeks I have been experiencing what felt like light headedness and fatigue. I worr a Fitbit to notice I also experience high heart rate when standing or carrying out basic tasks such as washing up or climbing some stairs. This in turn makes me woozy, short of breath, racing heart palpitations and nausea may follow.
I’ve had decreased appetite too. Could this be related to hyperthyroidism?
I have history of hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Currently my bloods have shown abnormal thyroid function but yet to discuss with GP.
It’s been so debilitating. At times my heart goes to 140-150. Chest pains. And sometimes I find it difficult to feel satisfied with breathing. I go out to get air or breathe deeply.
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Fast heart rate (aka tachycardia) is often associated with hyperthyroidism. Having said that there are people with hypothyroidism who develop tachycardia too. E.g. Me. I suffer from hypothyroidism, and tachycardia that was initially triggered by severe iron deficiency. Although I'm no longer iron deficient the tachycardia has never gone away and I have to take beta blockers to keep my heart from going too fast.
There are many causes of tachycardia which might or might not be connected with your thyroid. See this link :
Make sure you give your GP all your details about heart rate and chest pains. It could be hyperthyroidism but it could also be hypothryoidism with either concurrent cardiac issues or a pituitary problem.
With these signs and symptoms you should consult your GP immediately. There can be many reasons including hyperthyroidism so it needs to be investigated.
I agree with this. I have these symptoms with a different cause (on medication to manage). I recommend trying a&e or urgent care via nhs 111 referral. Not because you are necessarily on danger, it's just my recent experience that those places take you seriously and run the relevant tests and the GP doesn't. They can also advise your GP on a course of investigation.
Are you currently taking any replacement thyroid hormone or any other medication
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
Hashimoto’s can have temporary high thyroid levels as cells break down causing hyperthyroid type symptoms
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test (and, if taking levothyroxine…..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
hi, thank you for responding with all the details.
I don’t currently take any medication. Just wanted to know that I’m not going crazy. I do have an appointment via telephone with a GP tomorrow to discuss the thyroid test results. It’s been a long time coming.
Yes, this can be. Before I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease , I had these symptoms. The GP said there was nothing wrong. Twice we called the ambulance because my heart was pudding so much. After a few years I was disgmosed as hyperthyroid. Actually my normal heart rate in those days was very low so when it speeded up it was still in the normal range for most people making it difficult fir my GP.
I'm so sorry that your experiencing this awful feelings. You joined a Great Forum and many wonderful and Helpful people will share their experiences too. I for one had TT and was dosed with high doses of T4. Caused me all sorts of symptoms one of them being palpitations high BP anxiety etc. I learned that I don't convert my T4 to T3 . The Heart has tremendous receptor sights for T3 so does the brain muscles and more. If your heart does not get enough T3 palpitations will happen. In addition low Iron can do the same. Magnesium is very helpful to calm the heart as well and fish oils. In my experiences with palpitations I would suggest to have labs done with FT4 FT3 TSH Iron/Ferritin, B-12, Vitamin D. These are very crucial markers for our Thyroid Hormones to work well for us and feel our optimum. Best wishes for your fast resolutions.
I had the same symptoms of racing heart when standing, climbing stairs or any activity basically and eventually light headedness. When I managed to get an appointment with my GP (telephone call) and had a blood test I was found to have a low Haemoglobin count. when Haemoglobin is low your heart has to work harder to get enough oxygen around your body by the lower number of red blood cells.
I advise to speak to your GP about this. In my case happened to have Anaemia, a very rare one but the common type with give the same symptoms.
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Increased heart rate after eating
Is it a compulsion to have a rapid heart and a high blood pressure for hyperthyroidism?
Increased heart rate and muscle pain. 
Heart rate increased
Levo and heart rate
