Hypothyroidism and Heart Palpitations

[MelinDel]

Hello Everyone - I am a 34 year old female who was diagnosed about 8 months ago with hypothyroidism.  Additional testing then diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  My initial TSH level was 12.7, so I was I placed on 50 mcg of Levothyroxine.  My TSH level is now 4.8.

I have had all of the normal hypothyroid symptoms - weight gain, muscle pain, tiredness, etc., but my biggest complaint (that doesn't fit symptoms of hypo) is heart palpitations.  At their worst, I was having them for sometimes 5 - 6 hours a day.  I did see a cardiologist, who did an EKG, echocardiogram, and also had me a wear an 24-hour heart monitor. After reviewing all of the tests, the cardiologist said that I had a perfectly healthy heart, and that the palpitations were most likely a result of hypothyroidism.

For the first few months after being on the Levothyroxine, I can honestly say that I did NOT feel any better.  However, over the past 6 - 8 weeks, I have begun to feel more like my old self again.  FINALLY, the palpitations started to subside - occurring for only 3 - 4 hours a day, then about 1 hour a day, then only a few flutters here and there.  I was absolutely elated to have them gone!

Within the past week however, as soon as I woke up in the morning, I could tell I just didn't feel right.  I've been having more palpitations again (an episode last night lasted for about 2 hours).  It's only been a few days since the  palpitations have returned, but I am scared to death that I am going to have to start dealing with them again.  They make me feel awful!

I promised myself I was going to keep this as concise as possible, and looking at the above I appear to have failed.  Has anyone else been diagnosed with Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism and suffering from long episodes of heart palpitations?  Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Jenn1302]

My heart palpitations/PVCs started a year after I was hyper and a few months before I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. They were relatively infrequent for the first few years (but still intolerable!). Now they come much more frequently :'(. Sometimes they're so bad that they keep me up at night because they won't stop. I'm currently unmedicated but I'm hoping to get on medication soon to see if it helps.
Anyone else also suffer from severe memory problems?

[MoeH]

I have hypothyroidism and am on Westhroid and I get the pvc's when my dosage is either too high or too low. It's frustrating, but also good to know that in 99% of the cases, per a doctor's website, these pvc's are normally harmless. They can also be caused by lack of sleep and lack of magnesium.

[gimel]

How do you know if your dosage is too high or too low?  If it is based on TSH, that is totally inadequate to medicate a hypothyroid patient.  If tested for Free T4 and Free T3, please post typical results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report.  What, if any other symptoms do you have?

[Mony73]

I, too, have the same thing. I didn't know that my hypo was the cause of my palps until she reduced my Levo! Maybe you need a stronger dose. Go see your doc and let her know they subside with stronger medication.  Palps are not just linked to Hyper, I have proof of that with my symptoms.

[gimel]

Thanks for the feedback.  It is a common misconception that palpitations automatically mean hyperthyroidism, yet there are some sources that correctly list it as a possible symptom of hypothyroidism.  

[des900]

Please create a new thread if anyone have a question. Followup is only useful for a single user. Clubbing all into one is just like adding several patients case history on a single prescription note.

[gimel]

I already responded to your other post on the same information.  

[hummingbird68]

Get off the levothyroxine pills.  I switched to Tirosint, liquid capsule form, and am feeling so much better.  Fillers, dyes, cornstarch or sugar are in the generic forms, Synthroid contains iodine, as do some others.  Tirosint is NOTHING but pure levothyroxine.