Graves' Disease Support Group

Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...

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Racing heartrate after Thyroidectomy

scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
As most in the Graves forum may know, I had a total thyroidectomy this past Monday.

I was put on Synthroid 50 mcg on Tuesday (day after surgery) and would be adjusted at my one week post op appointment this coming Tuesday. However, on Wednesday when I took my Synthroid 50 mcg in the morning, I noticed these "surges" coming over me and my heart rate would shoot up into the 100's from the 60's at rest so I was evaluated for Thyroid storm and that was eliminated with labs. Per my surgeon, I skipped synthroid dose on Thursday and on Friday took 25 mcg of Synthroid. I had no real palpiations or heart racing issues Friday. I also started my calcium supplements on Thursday as well as added two glasses of Orange Juice to my daily regimen yesterday as well... in case of low calcium or potassium. This morning, i decided to try my synthroid again at 50 mcg and within an hour, I had my heart racing into the 100's again. It finally dropped into the 70's after 2 hours. I know without a thyroid, my body isn't producing the excess hormones anymore. I keep reading it take several weeks to feel the effects of synthroid. However, I am wondering if my body is sensitive to the synthroid and I am feeling the effects immediately and if this will subside once my body adjusts? I noticed today that the heels of my feet are EXTREMELY dry which for me has always been a sign of hypo. I have Graves and for the past year have battled hyper symptoms. This is the start of my journey thru the world of hypo. Any advice is appreciated.

*Also posted to hypo forum.
mmztcass
mmztcass
I do not know the answer to the question as I have not been on Synthroid (at least not yet). So I'm wondering if it is too high of a dosage for you? Would you do better with starting out at 25 mcg instead and work yourself up gradually according to your labs?

What about trying Armour if Synthroid doesn't help you? Ask your doctor and see?

How about checking your labs frequently on a weekly basis (as I have seen some people do when they have had an RAI or a TT) to see how things are for you?

{{{hugs}}} (scratching my head to figure things out)...
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Hi MMZ.... It looks like I may have to build up as suggested. Everything I've read and come across says that it takes 3 weeks to feel the effects of synthroid... that's my fear... 3 weeks from now I may crash if 50 mcg or 25 mcg if all I can handle right now. I have read some of who have had a TT and only need 75 mcg of synthroid due to being so sensitive to synthroid. I may be one of those. I was sensitive to PTU as well... I did ask about Armour prior to my surgery and both the surgeon and my endo said that neither has a whole lot of experience with Armour and would prefer to keep me on synthroid or at least try synthroid for the first 6 months... and if that route didnt work, we could explore other options. If my Free T3 keeps decreasing, then I will ask about adding Cytomel to my daily synthroid. I was just wondering if Synthroid could possibly be making my heart rate increase so soon?... "scratching my head too". :) I also wrote to Elaine to see what she thinks as well.
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Oh and yes, I'll most likely check my labs probably every 2 weeks on my own... I was checking it weekly on the PTU just before the surgery.
mmztcass
mmztcass
I wonder why neither your Endo or surgeon said they had no experience with Armour? It is to my understanding that Armour has been around for at least a hundred of years. At least somewhere since late 1800s. If one drug does not work or there are issues with a certain drug, a doctor should realize this and make the necessary switch for their patients and the patients health.

{{{hugs}}}
bransnana
bransnana
Most docs don't like it cause it's not regulated, I think. They say every batch can be different or something like that. They don't trust it I suppose, so going to a doc that has experience with it, if you want to go that route would be better. I'm sure Elaine will have a good answer for you!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good luck with synthroid. I hope I never have to take it. mmztcass you seemed to be pretty well educated. I'm sure it helps a lot of people.
mmztcass
mmztcass
paintmefree:

Hi there - I have researched a lot. I still don't everything. have had undiagnosed hypO symptoms for many years and have had Graves' Disease for the last 10 years.

{{{hugs}}} :-)
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Just a note: I read thru many threads on Elaine Moore's site and came across bits and pieces about synthroid. I guess it is possible to have transient hyper symptoms when first taking synthroid for about a week as well as when increasing synthroid. I'll continue at 50 mcg til Tuesday and see if they subside although my surgeon did say she'll increase me on Tuesday according to my weight as she fears me plummeting too hypo.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hi,
I have been reading from other people"s experience that hyper symptoms can be present when first starting Synthroid, or at a dose increase. Are you on Brand Synthrois or generic? That seems to make a difference too. Most seem to tolerate the brand better. Also - Armour, here is what my endo(endo who has been treating me for 3 years) said when I decided to grill him Friday: "I am not in a rush to try armour with you because the T3 may be too much for you. having GRaves disease you should be able to convert the T4 to T3 without an issue. The T3 in armour varies from tablet to tablet, and many Graves patients have a tough time with it. I have prescribed cytomel for you in case you feel you need it. We can add to it or back it off as needed and it is consistent". We will see..LOL I hope this helps and that you start feeling better.
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
Thank you Melanie. After a little more reading up on Armour, I've decided that I'll pray that Synthroid works for me and if needed, we can add Cytomel to my regimen. I've learned Armour is made from pig thyroids. I'm not Muslim but due to my own beliefs and my upbringing, I prefer not to ingest anything with swine in it. Plus, the fact that each pill can vary in its dosage doesn't appeal to me either. Although, I've heard it's easier on the body. I am on brand Synthroid... I've now also encountered a new friend called- Nausea. UGH. This also seems to be another transient symptom. I'll keep ya posted.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, please keep me posted. Funny thing now, I was talking to my mom this morning and told her about you, and here I come to fine out mom, is on generic Synthroid and has no problems! LOL I think there is someone on the hypo board who also takes generic and does well too. So maybe if Synthroid is too much after several weeks, try generic. I'm with you on the Armour. At first I thought I might try it, but doing some research and hearing how some people react to it, I thought there might be reason why docs prescribe Synthroid. I guess time will tell for both of us. Have you tried orange juice? I'm curious if the potassium is helping a little with the heart palps.
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
I have been drinking a glass of orange juice every morning and every night before bedtime since you mentioned to try it (Orange juice fortified with calicum). So, I'm not sure if it was the calcium, potassium, or my body adjusting or just healing but the surges and twitches haven't returned :) I'll stick with it just to be sure. Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it. I will definitely try generic synthroid if the nausea doesn't let up after a month of consistency (once I get to that point). I know that I'll be bouncing around for now as we try to find the right amount for me so I'm expecting the nausea to stick around for a bit. However, good news.... I took the synthroid this morning at 6 am and waited 4 hours before taking my Tums and eating.... and I've had no heart racing today :) Yay! At least not so far.... I was taking Tums at 6 am then taking Synthroid at 9 am and eating at 1030 am.... so maybe making sure I stayed empty with the Synthroid helped. I can definitely feel the slight drop in my levels but I'm still okay... not in hypo hell :) No aches or pains..... I know when my levels drop cuz I feel a pressure in my chest and that pressure returned last night... it's only slight so good thing I see the doc Tuesday for my post op follow up. If the pressure increases today, then I'll try increasing my synthroid to 62.5 and see how I feel tomorrow.... otherwise, I'll stick with 50 mcg til Tuesday.
deleted_user
deleted_user
ooohh! YAY!!I think it is the combo of calcium and potassium, but you definitely need the potassium from to help regulate the heart beats. Oh, yes, it is important to take the Synthroid on an empty stomach and wait at least 4 hours (my endo said preferrably 6 hours) bfore taking calium and vitamins.I was reading the people with the best success with Synthroid actually wait 2-3 hours before eating and this even includes coffee.Shoot, I'm sorry, I should have told you this sooner! I always assume every surgeon and endo goes over this with their patients, but many do not. This might have prevented some symptoms for you. I think my schedule is going to be Synthroid 5:00a.m., go workout at the gym, come home shower, go to work, eat at 8:30a.m., take calcium and vitamins at noon with lunch. So glad your feeling better:) keep up that potassium! xoxoxoxo
scorpiogirl76
scorpiogirl76
yes, I think figuring out the best schedule for you is a good thing. I think my schedule is 6 am: synthroid, 10 am: Tums (temporary for 2 weeks), 10:30 am: breakfast with orange juice :)... lunch, dinner, etc... then 4 PM: Tums (temporary for 2 weeks), and 6 PM: Calcium/Vit D/Magnesium supplement. Isn't this fun?

~hugs.
deleted_user
deleted_user
hehee, yes, I love your dry humor. Makes me smile.:) I feel like i need another day planner just to keep the darn supplements and times straight! Hopefully, this will be something we will get used to and fast. I'm already thinking about scenarios..what happens if I get delayed at work, in traffic, all the fun stuff. Guess I will be taking all of my supplements with me! xoxo