Help from those on thyroxine!

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Hi all,

I’m new to thyroxine and looking for some advice! My main question is, does anyone else have a high heart rate a few hours after taking their thyroxine? Or when adjusting to a dose increase? My heart rate is pretty high in the morning, I’m hoping it will go as I get used to the meds.

I had a total thyroidectomy 5 weeks ago for Graves‘ disease, tough decision but I’ve had thyroid storm twice in the last 6 months and couldn’t get controlled. In November I was pushed into overt hypothyroidism with meds to prevent me having another storm during/after surgery. I’ve never felt so ill in my life!

I was started on 75mcg of thyroxine immediately post op. Initially I found my heart rate would get very high in the mornings, around 2-3 hours after the thyroxine, but that settled after 3 weeks.

I had bloods taken 4 weeks post thyroidectomy and they showed I’m still a bit hypo (have attached for interest) so endo has increased my dose to 100mcg 3 days a week and 75mcg 4 days a week. 4 days after the dose increase the high heart rate came back, yesterday it lasted all day. I can’t find anything online about it though. The endo says it can’t be related to my thyroid function, but I think it is!

I'm not an expert but your TSH doesn't look right

I had a subtotal thyroidectomy in 1990 after graves. Started on 50mcg, increased to 100 after 6-8 weeks. Never had a problem.

I know it's advised now to take it in the morning but I much prefer to take it at bed time. The experts at BTF (British Thyroid Foundation) suggest time taken is a matter of personal preference.

Google them they have good advice.

Good luck with it and Happy Christmas.

Thanks! How long do you leave between eating and taking it at night?

They reckon my TSH is on a time lag, just before surgery my T4 was 9...

And Merry Christmas! 🎄🥂

I just take it at bed time.

Hello.....I suggest you sign up to...or at least look at /healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk...the people there are v knowledgeable..if rather anti doctors.

Good luck and hope you have a Happy Christmas

Thanks Raindrops and Canada! I’ll post on Health unlocked, I had a trawl through the forum but couldn’t find anyone experiencing similar.

The 13/12 looks like you are hypo - is that before you increased the dose?

Yes before. I’ve only done one week of the higher dose so far, about to start the second.

I'm on 125 mcg and I've never had those symptoms

I had bouts of elevated heart rate before I started on medication (that's what sent me to the GP).
When I was in the process of finding the right dosage my heart rate went up whenever it changed. I am on the correct dosage now and it has stopped.

OP I just wanted to say that it's very early days for you. I am sure things will settle. I had graves, medicated to euthyroid, sub total thyroidectomy, 50mcg thyroxine for 6-8 weeks then 100mcg for the subsequent 28 years. All has been well.

Be kind to yourself I do wonder if for reassurance alone you could stretch to a private consultation with a consultant endocrinologist for support and reassurance?

Thanks everyone. Prokupatuscrakedatus that’s reassuring, hopefully it will improve when I’m euthyroid 🙏

Raindrops you’re right, it’s early days. I think I expected to feel back to my old self straight away, which is hardly realistic. I’m overseas so have been seeing a private endo for each appointment, apart from when I got really sick and then the public system had to step in! I’m close to looking for another endo, he’s very dismissive.