Brief Answer:
Palpitations or racing heart is common presentation in anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. You have complaints of palpitations and all tests came normal. Due to that palpitations you have fear that you are going to die. First of all I would like to tell you that palpitations (awareness of rapid heart rate) are one of common presenting symptoms of anxiety. In some individuals, in events of severe anxiety heart rate can even go in range of 160-180 bpm.

I would like to go into some medical terms to make you understand about physiology of anxiety. In events of severe anxiety some neurotransmitters (few chemicals) got secreted from brain and nor-adrenaline is one of those neurotransmitters. That neurotransmitter is responsible of fear-fight-flight reaction and this causes racing heart and palpitation. It is basically a protective mechanism in body in events of danger. In anxiety individuals start developing inner state of restlessness due to some anticipated danger or even without any specific reason. This restlessness is basically a protective phenomenon for some anxiety provoking stimulus, but when it goes uncontrolled and start to occur without any danger then individuals develop symptom of anxiety. Please try to understand that physiology of anxiety. Due to this they develop racing heart. So the palpitations you are having are probably due to anxiety as all tests came normal.


These symptoms will not cause any danger to your life. Try to relax yourself and spend your time in taking care of yourself and your developing baby. If palpitations increase in intensity then you can discuss with a psychiatrist and can take low dose benzodiazepines on SOS basis. Drugs like low dose Clonazepam can be taken even in pregnancy and are safe when used occasionally. This will help you to relax and will reduce your anxiety about racing heart.

For some time avoid excess tea, coffee. Sleep for at least 7-8 hours a day. Avoid watching TV for long time. Spend some time in doing yoga, this will help you in relaxation.

If you haven't checked your thyroid status then get your thyroid hormone levels done. Hyperthyroidism is one of common cause of palpitations. This will help to rule our thyroid causes of palpitations.

Thanks, I hope this reassures you a bit. Still have more doubts please feel free to ask again in follow up.

Take care

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Brief Answer:
Even Thyroxin can aggravate palpitations in high doses

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

TSH levels of 9.41 are in higher range and this denotes towards primary hypothyroidism. In most of cases with hypothyroidism they are advised to take Thyroxin tablets like in your case 100 mcg per day.

The drug can solve your problems of hypothyroidism but the drug is known to cause palpitations in individuals taking it. As palpitations are your presenting complaint you can discuss with your doctor again and ask for dose reduction if needed. As per my opinion reduction of doses to 25-50 mcg should reduce your palpitations. But make any change in prescription with consultation of your doctor only.

Yes Labetolol, Propranolol or Atenolol etc drugs can be used for palpitations. But since you are pregnant so in such case use of any drug should be reserved for emergency situations only. If symptoms persist for some time SOS use of Clonazepam should make your symptoms reduce in severity. Even obstetricians prescribe this drug to their patients in cases of anxiety. Discuss with your doctor for that drug.

Thyroxin would not cause much harm to your developing baby. Just reduce the doses by gradual tapering only. Please try relaxation exercises also because they are safest method to reduce anxiety.

Thanks, Still have more doubts please don't hesitate to ask again. Just remember one thing that you are absolutely normal and are not going to die.

Take care

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