Heart Problems with Hyperthyroidism?

I have hyperthyroidism, but it had been controlled with 5mg of methimazole for the past few months.  I have Ulcerative colitis as well, but it has been in remission for the past 5 months.  So, I'm just on Lialda 2.4 grams for maintenence for UC, 5mg methimazole and 50 mg of Atenolol for tremors/palpiations.

 

I have had in the past month, chest pain and a very irregular heartrate.  So much so that I passed out at the airport on Thursday and was unable to go home(I was flying home to see family-I live 16 hours from them).  We have increased my atenolol and my methimazole, but the chest pain persists and I still am having palpitations.  I'm also exhausted, have bilateral lower extremity weakness and hot flashes.  I know it's likely from the hyperthyroidism, but has anyone else dealt with this?  I have cut out the caffiene, am trying to decrease stress and get enough sleep.  I've cut out alcohol as well.  Any other suggestions?  I'm thinking of going back to my primary care doctor to make sure it's not something else, but maybe I should give it more time?  At 33, it's not likely to be true heart problems.  Any thoughts?

 

Oh, my TSH is undetectable, my T3 is elevated but my T4 is normal.

Thanks Judy. I'll follow up with my PCP this week.

If it's not your heart and not your thyroid, try getting checked for GERD. GERD can mimic heart pains by spasms in your esophagus. Your esophagus has a nerve running down the back of it called the Vega nerve (spasms will affect it). Your Aorta is also right behind it the spasms can also irritate it.

Joy

I have a natural issue with having an extra heart beat from time to time. When I become very hypo I get a lot more of the extra heart beats (it feels like a sharp stabbing pain for about 1-3 seconds followed by heart palpitations for 30-60 seconds). I was dx'ed with the extra heart beat when I was very young but it got worse the higher my TSH went. On Synthroid it has gone back to "normal" again, occurring only once every month or two - rather than 11+ times a day, sometimes even back to back. I would think the same sort of thing could occur with hyperthyroidism. Maybe you have some sort of minor underlying condition that is being made worse by being hyper? I was told that my "normal" number of extra heartbeats was perfectly safe & nothing to worry about, but all the extra ones were not safe. They were wearing my heart out (which would explain the exhaustion). In my case, they were specifically tied to the fact that hypo was causing my potassium to be high & my sodium levels to be rock bottom. I had to start adding at least 2 tsp. of salt to my diet every day and cutting out every possible source of potassium we could think of. But that is generally a REALLY BAD idea, so please don't do anything so crazy without talking to your doctor & getting your sodium & potassium levels tested.

In any case, I agree with the others. Stay calm, but get it checked out ASAP. It would be good to rule out any of the serious issues right away (yes, 32 year olds can have heart probs, though it is quite rare) & then you can take your time trying to figure out what it actually is. One thing that can't ever hurt & often helps is increasing your water intake. Try to drink 2-3 liters of water per day. Regardless of the issue, water will help balance out your system. I know it's hard when you're already tired & don't want to have to get up & use the washroom every 20 minutes, but it does usually help.

feel better,
frances

I feel hope after reading your post. i am not alone now. The same symptoms I am having I am waiting on tests right now so I will see. My heart has been going crazy too. I am sorry you are going through this.