How low is heart rate when hypo thyroid?

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2000, same time my back injury was made permanent and stationary. I have switched doctors in the last three-four months and had my TSH checked early February because I knew all the classic symptoms and my meds did not seem to be working. My TSH was the only thing checked and it was 17.45. The dr. increased Synthroid from 125 mcg to 150 mcg. I just had my TSH checked again yesterday but won't have results for another day or so. ( last year I was on 175 mcg and other dr. lowered the dose) This past week and a half has been so bad, All I want to do is sleep constantly, I am cold, suffer from Raynauld's also and have 0 energy. My heart rate on Sat. was 34 and my blood pressure was 90/64. Usually my heart rate is in 40's, perhaps 50 but with exertion, even slight, my heart can go up to 70 with little effort and then my rate goes down fast when resting or sitting. With such flunctuations, is there any dangers at all? I am tired of feeling Like I am 80 years old and do nothing but sleep. Any idea...I do take many vitamins and mineral supppliments.          fluffypurrcat.. I also have DDD and Osteroarthritis just diagnosed in my left hip and bad knees and many foot operations that make walking painful. I am about 20 lbs overweight ( in last ten years since hurting my back)

[AJWS6]

Hi, sorry your experiencing discomfort.  I've alway's had a slow heart rate and low bp, majority of my life, even prior to thyroid disorder, my heart rate is usually between 50-60 bpm, at rest it can get down to 40bpm, sometimes high 30's,.  My Caridologist shared, reason being I have a very healthy heart.  A heart of an athelete.  Even now without a thyroid, my vitals were 55bpm, 116/66 bp yesterday at Endo visit, with TSH of .99,.  If my heart rate goes over 70bpm, I'm palpitating :)

I feel mild fatigue occassionally, from sleep deprivation.  Best to address your concerns with Primary, Endo or Cardiologist for peace of mind, pertaining to your heart rate.  Feel better soon.  

[Barb135]

Have you  had a complete heart work up to make sure there are no issues?  

That said, like AJWS6, I have a very low heart rate, most of the time, but I'm very active, and my cardiologist said that's okay, in my case, though there are instances in which a slow heart rate could be dangerous.

When I was really hypo, my HR often went into the low 30's at night with long intervals between beats (confirmed by Holter monitor).  Now I stay mostly in the upper 50's/low 60's, except when exercising.  I find that if I push myself to get my HR up higher, such as walking at a faster pace, I feel more energized, though I'm so used to having my HR be low, that it feels odd when it gets into the 70's.

Because of the other symptoms you list, I have to suspect that you are still somewhat hypo and either need an increase in your medication or a change.  

It's unfortunate that you are only getting tested for TSH, because that's a pituitary hormone and doesn't really give a full picture; TSH fluctuates wildly for a variety of reasons, even intraday.  You need to be tested for the actual thyroid hormones, which are Free T3 and Free T4; Free T4 is considered a "storage hormone" and must be converted to Free T3....... some of us have a "kink in the system" and don't convert properly, so we have to add a source of T3 medication.  Having levels of FT3 and FT4 is the only to know for sure.

Can you get your doctor to test the Free T3 and Free T4, so you can get a better picture of what's going on?  Many doctors refuse to test FT3 and FT4 and in so doing, their patients never do get well.  I had to switch doctors because of that.

Often, once FT3 is properly adjusted, weight will come off (takes effort for some of us), which in turn eases the pressure/pain on joints/muscles.  Exercise also helps; I actually rebuilt lost bone, with a program of calcium, magnesium and exercise.  Magnesium also often helps with muscle/joint pain.

Because of your "0" energy and desire to sleep all the time, I'd strongly suggest that you ask to get vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels tested.  Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause absolutely debilitating fatigue/exhaustion.  I have to inject on a weekly basis in order to keep my levels high enough.  If you don't spend much time outside, chances are pretty good that you will be deficient in vitamin D, as well.