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What Causes Fluttering Sensation In The Chest While On Synthroid?
Question: I am 69 in good health. The only meds I take is synthroid. I excercise regularly. Lately I have been having a feeling of fluttering in my chest. I also feel like I can't take a deep breath but in reality I can inhale deeply. It has happened a few times during the week. When I feel my pulse it seems to be regular . Any ideas what could be causing this?? Also I do have a family history of heart disease.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If your TSH is low and Free T4 is high, then it indicates you are getting more synthroid than your body needs. This leads to symptoms similar to the ones you are reporting.
If the thyroid laboratory reports are normal, then you should consult your healthcare provider to explore a potential heart problem.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If your TSH is low and Free T4 is high, then it indicates you are getting more synthroid than your body needs. This leads to symptoms similar to the ones you are reporting.
If the thyroid laboratory reports are normal, then you should consult your healthcare provider to explore a potential heart problem.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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