T4 out of range: Suspect this is related to iodine based medication (Amiodarone) Advice needed pls.

[DizzyD]

Hi all hope everyone is in fine feckle.

Am looking for some advice is respect of recent blood results which is a real concern to me. The following will include two thyroid blood results so that the reader can make comparisons between them. I was put on Amiodarone 17 April to treat AFib and one of the mayor side effects is that it can play havoc with thyroid levels. I do not have a thyroid (thyroidectomy 1992) but still this medication also interferes with conversion of thyroid meds. In my case, I do believe this is what has happened.

Present thyroid medication status: 75mcg/ 50mcg alternate days. 30mg NDT daily, split dose.

Private blood tests done:

5 April 2023...not on Amiodarome

TSH 0.86 0.27 - 4.2

FT3 4.98. 3.1 - 6.8

T4 17.8 12 - 22

17 April 2023 ....prescribed Amiodarone for AFib

7 June 2023: Private blood test: Roughly 6wks after taking Amiodarone

TSH 0.174 0.27 - 4.2

FT3 4.29 3.1 - 6.8

T4 22.8. 12 - 22

In preparation for blood tests I followed all the proper protocol recommended on this forum.

As a point of interest my CRP HS marker was 0.86 back in April it's now 4.88??? I suspect the medication as also affected my lungs, hence inflammation rise but that's separate issue.

Clearly T4 is over range. Which of my thyroid medication should I adjust?

Really would appreciate some help and advice.

Have a rewarding day

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Is there a reason you chose to add NDT as opposed to T3 to your Levo? Just it can make it awkward to adjust dose as it contains both T4 & T3.

How do you feel now?

You're really not over replaced as your FT3 is only 32% of the range even now although FT4 not ideal at just above the range.

What supplements are you taking and what were your most recent results for ferritin, folate, B12 & d3?

Your CRP is still very low and can be affected by many many things so not to be concerned about that.

[CoeliacMum1]

My mum was put on this Amiodarone back in August 2022 for same reason Afib and because she cannot take any other type of beta blockers etc which would of been cardiologist preferred choice over this drug he said. She had bad reactions to all others was in hospital for 3wks after heart deterioration and new meds were tried. In the last 2-3months her thyroid has declined, now in last week or so just put on Levothyroxine she’s in her 80s and has her thyroid.

As you’ve mentioned this drug can cause lung problems along with thyroid problems etc it can make you go hyper or hypothyroid but latter was mostly reported by her GP to my mum that was likely…obviously I can’t comment once thyroid removed and this was based on her individual health condition which is now monitored by her GP as discharged from cardiology.

I don’t have access to her medical records and she doesn’t want them so I have no idea if she went hyper before hypo but going on her symptoms I would of said she definitely did, but came crashing down with lethargy 3months ago she has picked up somewhat now started medication.

She has monthly blood tests and twice since out hospital has had scans on lungs and a couple of ECGs so actually can’t fault her treatment at the moment… whether GP was slow in prescribing I don’t know, probably, but I know it can be trickier with elderly and prescribing, she is only on 25mcg Levothyroxine but she is much brighter.

[kiefer]

Are you on any magnesium supplements? My father had a-fib. He was given amiodarone and it really reeked havoc on his thyroid function and consequently, his kidney function.

After giving him the equivalent of 40mg of elemental magnesium, his a-fib resolved. He was on blood thinners at the time so I couldn't go higher.

[DizzyD in reply to kiefer]

Hi Kiefer great to hear your dad's AFib resolved with the magnesium. I have taken magnesium for a long time, and on blood thinners and had no idea that magnesium is contraindicated if taking thinners