Thyroid Issues and POTS

Bridget, I am new to this website. I looked up POTS. on this website ( https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16560-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots ) I read this "Normally, when you stand up, gravity causes about 10% to 15% of your blood to settle in your abdomen, legs and arms. This means that less blood reaches your brain, which can cause brief light headedness. If you don’t have POTS, this lightheaded feeling doesn’t happen often because your leg muscles help pump blood back up to your heart." Maybe try wearing support hose on your lower legs to help the blood flow back to the brain? I really do not know. It must be hard caring for a child having this condition. I hope since 2 years has gone by you are doing better.

Have you had your calcium checked?
Almost sounds like Hypocalcemia.
“ Symptomatic patients (e.g. tetany, seizures, laryngospasm or cardiac arrhythmias or dysfunction) or those with a corrected calcium below 2 mmol/L (< 8 mg/dl) should prompt urgent intervention with intravenous calcium replacement.”
There are a lot of symptoms, but I would definitely recommend you have that checked to be sure.
This may be a dumb question, but have you had a Cardiology Full work up with sono on legs, Echo…?
It is not uncommon after hard pregnancy/birth to have valve issues in your legs. Any Trauma to you/your body can turn into More Trauma/Autoimmune issues….
Have taken a EDS test?
Can find on internet or Ask your Doc.

Unfortunately, I am the one descendant that inherited a hereditary trifecta! I am diagnosed with PoTS, thyroidism, and Graves disease. I experienced symptoms of PoTs during my teenage years, but once I entered my 20's hyperthyroidism crept in. I did my best to ignore these symptoms because I was influenced to suppress nothing physical and psychological feelings. Plus I started to lose A LOT of weight in my early 20's, so I ignored yet another blatant symptom for the sake of vanity. Everything changed in my mind 20's when I miraculously conceived despite being told it was not probable! However, my pregnancy was high risk and delivery extremely traumatic. Ultimately my pregnancy triggered all symptoms to surface, worsen, and put Graves disease on the table. The past 5 years have been all trial and error as I try to find the best ways to manage these 3. Eventually I did have ablative radiation for the thyroid. Radiation is rough and has caused other issues with the areas surrounding the thyroid, and still trying to find the correct hormone meds as I am going between hypo and hyper thyroidism. I have found a few medications that help manage some of my symptoms, but have more trial&error ahead as we will continue to experiment until my primary care and I find the absolute best combinations to manage symptoms, provide comfort, and a better quality of life.

I share all of this to say you are not alone. Yes, it's hard to find what works for you and you have to keep advocating for yourself. I hope you have or can find a provider that is welcoming and willing to do what it takes to help you.

It is amazing what we can live with and keep chugging along. I support your continuing efforts on your behalf ... they sound like wise choices. I have sometimes found the Mayo Clinic a good source of up-to-date info and trials. I encourage you to keep on keeping on, as we said in the 60's. That's pretty much what life wants us to do, if not demands! My challenge these days is to remember that the little walks I should be taking are now undeniably important ... and probably the only thing keeping me from a wheelchair! Luckily there's some lovely weather happening here in New York, which encourages me. People sometimes talk about bravery ... I don't feel brave ... but I suppose you could refer to courage about that "chugging along" thing! Anyway, best to you!

I am a 72 y/o female with Atrial Fib. When I was 61 I had episodes of rapid heart beat. Doctor took blood tests and ECG. ECG showed heart rare of 160. Blood work was fine including thyroid. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia. Was put on Bisoprolol. Several months later I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease with ED. My endocrinologist suggested it wasn’t caught earlier because they only did the very standard blood tests for thyroid and not the full panel. After treatment I went into remission but stayed on the Bisoprolol. Fast forward to the Covid era. While taking my blood pressure for about a week and being very tired, I noticed my heart rate was fluctuating in the low 40’s. Called my doctor who told me to go to hospital. It was then that they diagnosed Atrial FIB. Stopped the Bisoprolol. Set up with a cardiologist and a slew of tests. Heart is structurally ok, just the electrical issues. Put on Flecinide in preparation for cardio version. I thought I was home free when the conversion worked but was explained to me that i
The meds. were helping me stay in sinus rhythm but I could not stay on it forever as it will weaken the heart . Have been set up for an ablation and I am terrified of the procedure. Can anyone put my mind at ease?

One thing I learned after I was prescribed a drug that damaged my thyroid, was to contact the diagnostic company and got access to their patient portal. On it all of your test results will be listed. If there is no portal, request your blood work from your doctor or the lab where it was performed. See your own levels of thyroid TSH and T4 and T3 and check how the levels were reacting before, during and after the beta blocker was prescribed. If it has increased levels and the T4 and T3 are out of line, you might see if a Synthroid medication would be appropriate. The side effects of all these drugs can be difficult to content with and if you go online there is detailed information about the problems with medications especially with the heart. One thing that helped me when I was in Afib was box breathing. It seemed to reduce the time involved. It also helps to keep hydrated and when you look at your bloodwork review your sodium and potassium. Some drugs impact one or both and cause some major fatigue, dizziness and other side effects.

Are you drinking or eating ANYTHING with caffeine? Coffee, chocolate?
I am 76 this month, and personally would not do the ablation.

Personally, I’m 82 …I agree and would take a step back, get a second or third opinion no matter what. Ablations and cardioversions are not all they are ‘’cracked up’’ to being.
Watch tea for caffeine too…including those flavored teas in a bottle. Yummy for your tummy, but not for your heart!
I drink ONLY herbal tea …carry a couple always as restaurants/general public/ friends/ family think in caffeinated tea.