Pounding, rapid heart - Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hello, Elaine

I am taking 15 mg of Methimazole (4 a.m., 4 p.m.) and 120 mg of

Armour (4 a.m., 4 p.m.). (I was taking 12.5 mg of Methimazole, but

upped it to 15 mg when the heart palpitations did not disappear).

My lab results on 6-7-03 were: FT4 3.6 (R: 2.3 - 4.2);

FT3 1.3 (.8 - 1.8).

I expected the rapid and pounding heart problem to disappear when I

was no longer hyperthyroid, but it is still a problem. This morning,

I measured my blood pressure and pulse using a wrist monitor and my

pulse was 114 after taking a shower. I put on my pulse monitor (like

athletes use) and my pulse was 111. When I climbed our steep hill to

get the newspaper, my pulse went up to 125. This is not as high as it

was before I was treated for Grave's, but the fact that it is

continuing, bothers me. When this happens, I take Inderal, only as

needed. Since it has been happening every day, I am taking about

60mg of Inderal a day.

Is this an indication that Block and Replace is not working for me?

Should I plan to withdraw from the Armour and treat the

hyperthyroidism with Methimazole, alone? I read about a lot of

people who have achieved remission or are only taking a minimum dose

of antithyroid drugs to control it. I wanted to try Block and Replace

to be able to reduce the TSI antibodies more effectively, but I

imagine it doesn't work for everyone.

I would appreciate any ideas you may have.

54 years old. Diagnosed 8/20/02. Tried a natural remedy for three

months, but had to start on antithyroid medication on December 7 due

to very high FT3, FT4. Taking 15mg Methimazole with 120mg Armour

since April 11. I am sleeping well at night, am not sweating

profusely, anymore. Emotional outbreaks are fewer and farther

between, but they still sneak up on me in the form of losing my

temper easily. I'm disappointed when that happens. Because of my

heartrate, I have not resumed more strenuous exercise - do stretches

and walk 15 minutes a day; some weight-lifting with 5lb weights for

upper body.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Based on the reference ranges, I think 3.6 is your FT3 and 1.3 is your FT4.

Both of these levels are fine.

However, some people notice palpitations within the first hour after taking

Armour. This usually subsides within a week or two, but if it doesn't than you

probably are best off using an ATD alone or a lower dose of both meds. Also, I

can't remember if you're dividing your Armour dose, but it's important to

take it in 2-3 divided doses to prevent the T3/FT3 level in your blood from

rising too high at once and then dropping off within a few hours.

It's best to monitor your heart rate first thing upon rising before moving

around to gauge your resting heart rate. If you are moving around, you should

wait at least 5-10 minutes before taking it. This would give you a better idea

of your true resting heart rate. It sounds like you're doing good and just need

some fine tuning of your meds. Take care, Elaine