Aa
Congestive Heart Failure and Hypothyroid
Hello!
While in the process of looking up information on congestive heart failure for my grandmother, who was recently diagnosed with the condition, I found that hypothyroid is often linked to it. I am hypothryoid myself and am only 23. Does anyone know if treatment of hypothyroid eliminates the risk of CHF? Is this somthing I should be concerned about being that I was diagnosed as hypothyroid at a young age?
Thanks for your help!
While in the process of looking up information on congestive heart failure for my grandmother, who was recently diagnosed with the condition, I found that hypothyroid is often linked to it. I am hypothryoid myself and am only 23. Does anyone know if treatment of hypothyroid eliminates the risk of CHF? Is this somthing I should be concerned about being that I was diagnosed as hypothyroid at a young age?
Thanks for your help!
I had horrible PVCs I was hypothyroid. The palpitations didn't start immediately, it took several years until they developed. Getting on medication made them go away. They were benign but if I would imagine that if I hadn't gotten on medication they would have eventually gotten worse.
The main reason I got on medication was that I read somewhere that hypothyroid can cause serious heart problems (and because the heart symptoms were intolerable) and I wasn't going to wait around and find out if that was true. I don't know if treating hypothyroidism helps eliminate the risk of CHF, but getting treated definitely helped me with my heart issues. Even if eventually I find out that it was only temporary, it still did something.
My guess is that getting proper treatment at the very least helps delay hypo/Hashi related CHF. But you want to be careful not to over medicate because hyper can cause heart issues too.
The main reason I got on medication was that I read somewhere that hypothyroid can cause serious heart problems (and because the heart symptoms were intolerable) and I wasn't going to wait around and find out if that was true. I don't know if treating hypothyroidism helps eliminate the risk of CHF, but getting treated definitely helped me with my heart issues. Even if eventually I find out that it was only temporary, it still did something.
My guess is that getting proper treatment at the very least helps delay hypo/Hashi related CHF. But you want to be careful not to over medicate because hyper can cause heart issues too.
There are studies showing that hypothyroidism (specifically low Free T3) increases the risk of cardiac issues. So it is very important that your husband get treated adequately.
The usual treatment is T4 med as needed to bring TSH within range. This doesn't work for most people because Free T3 usually remains too low. You need a good thyroid doctor (doesn't necessarily mean an Endocrinologist), who will treat him clinically. By that I mean getting him up to a dosage of thyroid med that will raise his Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve hypo symptoms, without going so far as to create hyperthyroid symptoms. In addition it is very important that his Vitamin D is at least 50, B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin at least 100.
If you want to confirm what I have said and also have some info to discuss with the doctor to assure adequate treatment, click on my name and then scroll down to my Journal and read at least the Overview of a paper on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Patient's Perspective.
The usual treatment is T4 med as needed to bring TSH within range. This doesn't work for most people because Free T3 usually remains too low. You need a good thyroid doctor (doesn't necessarily mean an Endocrinologist), who will treat him clinically. By that I mean getting him up to a dosage of thyroid med that will raise his Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve hypo symptoms, without going so far as to create hyperthyroid symptoms. In addition it is very important that his Vitamin D is at least 50, B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin at least 100.
If you want to confirm what I have said and also have some info to discuss with the doctor to assure adequate treatment, click on my name and then scroll down to my Journal and read at least the Overview of a paper on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Patient's Perspective.
1 Comments
Thank you Gimel. That's very informative and interesting. My FT3 was at the low end of the reference range when my heart symptoms started (my FT4 was slightly higher). They went away as soon as I got on medication and my levels were a bit higher. I definitely felt like there was some correlation between my FT3 levels and heart symptoms.
my husband has CHF, and found out his thyroid isn't even working. so maybe it has a connection. my husband is 28 btw.
The thyroid regulates every organ in your body.
If your thyroid is regulated well and levels stable then you may very well avoid the risk of CHF.
If your thyroid issues are not dealt with, the bosy will eventually shut down and Myexedema Coma is imminant.
No-one can really say what cause chronic heart failure...it could be due to thyroid, it could be hereditary and could be from a lot of other conditions.
But being aware of this early...gives you a head start in life to prevent it.
My Father was diagnosed with Cardiovascular Disease (as was 6 of his brothers who have all died now) . I have checks done but this doesnt mean I will or will not get it.
Its just something that has to be watched for and checked.
All the best :)
If your thyroid is regulated well and levels stable then you may very well avoid the risk of CHF.
If your thyroid issues are not dealt with, the bosy will eventually shut down and Myexedema Coma is imminant.
No-one can really say what cause chronic heart failure...it could be due to thyroid, it could be hereditary and could be from a lot of other conditions.
But being aware of this early...gives you a head start in life to prevent it.
My Father was diagnosed with Cardiovascular Disease (as was 6 of his brothers who have all died now) . I have checks done but this doesnt mean I will or will not get it.
Its just something that has to be watched for and checked.
All the best :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
