Symptoms….I’m confused: Hi, grateful if people... - Thyroid UK

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Symptoms….I’m confused

FoxyTed profile image
27 Replies

Hi, grateful if people can throw some light please?

My bloods (previously posted here) point to hypo BUT I don’t have the slow pulse and if anything it races in the mornings before I get out of bed. Also races when I do very little though think that’s because I’m so exhausted! I have a list of symptoms and some relate to hyper, can this be the case?

Endo apt few days ago and he wanted to do his own blood tests so I’m waiting for those.

I am worrying as my T3 was near the low range and some people appear to get fast heart rate using it which I imagine would not be good for me

Then I read that Levo can be a problem too.

I know I’m anxious, I have had a very difficult 2 years virtually in the brink….going to and fro with debilitating symptoms, meno on top. It’s only now Thyroid being looked at.

Thank you!

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FoxyTed
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

while the majority of hypothyroid patients have slower heart rate…..not everyone does

Fast heart rate and hypothyroidism

endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/...

The electrocardiogram revealed supraventricular tachycardia with 200 beats/minute (PSVT). The possible triggers of arrhythmia were investigated.

Results and discussion: In our patient, hypothyroidism was diagnosed (FT4=11.25 pmol/l (normal range: 12–22) and TSH=26.37 μUI/ml (normal range: 0.27–4.2)) as a result of chronic Hashimoto Thyroiditis (anti TPO>1/640).

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/303...

We present a patient who presented with presyncope and supraventricular tachycardia with severe hypothyroidism. Patient responded well to thyroxine replacement with biochemical improvement, the disappearance of arrhythmia after restoration of euthyroidism suggests that hypothyroidism might be the cause of supraventricular tachycardia.

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks Slow,

Can I also ask ….can one have ‘bouts’ of exaggerated hypo symptoms on the declining journey to becoming more hypo?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toFoxyTed

Yes especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toSlowDragon

Tks Slow, my Thyroglobulin Antibodies were 12.1 (0-115)

My TPA <9 (0-34)

Does this suggest NOT autoimmune?

Tk you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toFoxyTed

have you had ultrasound scan

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toSlowDragon

So is this something that needs to be done if one has no TPO? Or is it if treatment isn’t working? Ta

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toFoxyTed

If both antibodies are negative……ultrasound can reveal damage

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toSlowDragon

Ok thank you. I will keep that in mind

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

10 days ago you posted the following

TSH 2.34 range 0.27 - 4.2

Free T3 3.9 range 3.1 - 6.8

FT4 15.7 range 12 -22

I'm assuming you are yet to be diagnosed

Your TSH is high....it should be under 2 (middle of range)

It is confusing, because symptoms of overmedication and undermedication can be very similar.......(over/ underactive thyroid)

So....we also need to look at labs for clues and what jumps off the screen is your abysmally low FT3

You're thyroid is underactive and I'd wager your low FT3 is the problem

FT3 is the most important result followed by FT4....science proves TSH is not a reliable marker, particularly after medication is initiated

Why?

Because T3 is the active thyroid hormone and for good health almost every cell in the body needs to be flooded with T3 by way of a constant and adequate supply.

Low( cellular) T3 = poor health

Little wonder you are symptomatic

Your thyroid is not producing adequate T4 which in turn means your T3 ( by conversion) is low

Additionally your T4 to T3 conversion could be better.

It is vital to optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function

Your FT4 is 37% through the ref range

FT3 is 21.62% ditto

We aim to have both Frees approaching roughly 75%....since we are all different this will vary a bit

You need to be medicated with levothyroxine, starting dose 50mcg

Maintain that steady dose for 6/8 weeks then test again, the results should point the way forward.

You will need an increase to 75mg.

Repeat wait/ test and increase dose as required until symptoms resolve

Once you are correctly medicated your heart should settle....it's important to note that the heart needs a lot of T3. It's calling for more!!

Anxiety is also a symptom of hypothyroidism

As humans we are all very different....so we don't fit into neat labelled boxes.

This will give you some helpful info

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

We're all here to help....just ask.

Good luck

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toDippyDame

Dippy, thank you so v much for all that extremely detailed and very helpful information, I really needed to read this today.

I so appreciate your kind words….’here to help’ as this can be scary 💐

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toFoxyTed

You're welcome, hope it helps.

Take care

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toDippyDame

Dippy.

No wonder my heart is so sensitive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this hissing sound in my ear/head is all related to low T3, it all happened around same time!

The medics need to come on here!!! — We sure don’t fit into neat labelled boxes, I think I’m more in the maze….somewhere🤷‍♀️

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toFoxyTed

If (cellular) T3 is low the whole body suffers.

I just don't understand why medics don't understand this....it's not rocket science!

Take care

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toDippyDame

This is my big reveal week Dippy re results by Endo. I have it my overactive head….what if the levels have decided to top themselves up and my results are ok😳

I don’t think they change like that, do they?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toFoxyTed

Best to see what the labs show...post them and we can all help.

Don't worry!

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toDippyDame

Will do Tks a lot!!

Easylover profile image
Easylover

Sweet girl. I hope this gets worked out. I forget who said T3 is a miracle drug. I still bank on you needing and deserving it. I am still over here praying in your corner. It's hard because we can't look into our cells. Even SlowDragon said it like it was...it's what's in our cells not what's in our blood stream. I'm as frustrated as you and panicked. We'll get through it God willing and He's willing. You be triumphant!!!

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toEasylover

Indeed no miracle cell revealing device YET!!

Thank you Easy for kind words, hope you get sorted too x

Easylover profile image
Easylover in reply toFoxyTed

Big smile. Me too!

Easylover profile image
Easylover

One day at a time Foxy Girl! I'm glad you're reaching out. It only confirms what you already know. Hypothyroidism/low T3 🙂

Easylover profile image
Easylover

2 years to suffer is a long time. I wished I'd have put an intelligent title like you did. No one wants to hear about someone who can't get their act together. I thought I was tired taking my thyroid meds. I'm really tired without them. Plus, I should give things time. I always want instant results. Thyroid is a hassle cuz it takes severL weeks to even get an inkling that we got it right. I will stick with...what? 🤣

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toEasylover

Easy, iv had headaches for 20!years plus other stuff and I now wonder if all along I could have had a thyroid problem, all put down to other hormones and no matter what I tried I still suffered…my GP only ever done TSH which I did not know anything about. So don’t blame yourself don’t beat yourself up please!!

Is your main issue the fatigue and getting tests done?

Easylover profile image
Easylover in reply toFoxyTed

Yes....and my attitude 🤯😭😱🤢🥵

Easylover profile image
Easylover in reply toEasylover

🤣

FoxyTed profile image
FoxyTed in reply toEasylover

Put your destructive thoughts in the bin dear Easy🌻

Easylover profile image
Easylover

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Easylover

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