Amiodarone induced hypothyroidism

@chickenfarmer
Hello @chickenfarmer
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights concerning levothyroxine with me.
I think my problem with amiodarone, which well known to affect thyroid function, came about because my thyroid was still producing some of the hormone thyroxine (T4) and probably some triiodothyronine (T3), which combined with my prescribed dose of levothyroxine, worked well.
Amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (AIH), which what I was experiencing, is a common side effect of the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone, caused by its high iodine content and direct thyroid toxicity, leading to impaired thyroid hormone production, often unmasking underlying Hashimoto's disease or causing a Wolff-Chaikoff block. Symptoms mirror standard hypothyroidism (fatigue, cold intolerance, dry skin) and typically require thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine), often without stopping the amiodarone.
I already had hypothyroidism and was taking levothyroxine (.50mcg) to successfully treat it. However, adding the amiodarone effectively cancelled out the levothyroxine I was taking causing my TSH levels to rise precipitously. The “happy place” for my TSH levels is about 2. Getting above 3 starts creating uncomfortable symptoms. As you so rightly point out, everyone is different.)
The arrhythmias I experience are the result of having Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Left Bundle Branch Blockage (LBBB) which has resulted in me having Stage 4 Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). I have HFpEF (Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Rate). I have been fitted with a biventricular pacemaker (with defibrillator). During the surgery to have the device implanted, I experienced numerous extended episodes of ventricular tachycardia which required three cardiac conversions (shocks) to resolve. I was then given amiodarone intravenously, whilst in the hospital, and a prescription for the pill form to take home. The amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic drug. Because of the drug induced hypothyroidism it created (or worsened), I was taken off of it.
I do agree with you about Dr. Google. Sage advice like jumping up and down in one spot for 10 minutes will make your hair grow faster may sound sensible at first glance. It might even work. 😊 But I don't think I will try it because I do know that it most definitely will make my knees ache. 😉
Where Dr. Google fails us is when we type in a list of symptoms we are experiencing, looking for a diagnosis, and it provides a list of possibilities that range from the ridiculous to the sublime. Google cannot diagnose. Nor should we use it for such a purpose. It takes a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight to do any kind of medical diagnosis. Diagnosing a medical condition is frequently incredibly complicated. There are many factors that have to be considered. Medical histories have to be taken into account, including those of family members. At the very least, questions have to asked of the patient and answered. Google cannot do that. At least not yet.
But where the internet excels is providing the average person access to reputable articles and documents concerning health issues. I regularly read academic papers and medical journal articles online that apply to my health issues. And I frequently read papers that are a synopsis of various studies that have been conducted around the world. Indeed, this site - Mayo Clinic – is a source of a great deal of valuable and trustworthy health information.
I think the most valuable service this forum provides all of us is the sense of community it provides. It gives so many of us an opportunity to learn and share our experiences with others. It helps break down the sense of isolation so many of us experience when we are experiencing either physical and psychological concerns. It gives each of us the opportunity to express our fears, worries and hopes to a group, most of whom we will never meet in person, but who understand what we are experiencing, what we are feeling and why. To feel like we belong and that our concerns are valid. That we are not alone. And in this world, feeling like we belong, that someone else gets it, is invaluable.
So, in closing, keep up your positive attitude. I appreciate your advice and your taking the time to share your thoughts. I don’t know where you live but I hope you are not being impacted by this storm too badly. And I send you my best wishes.

Thanks foir the detailed message. FYI I libve near Athens, Ga and this weather mess is a concern because our location is more susceptibel to freezing rain the resulting power line/tree injuries. So far so good but still have another nite.
Your heart situation is more complicated than mine. I had AFlutter and Atrial Septal defect corrected with 2017 procedures. After blanking, I was arrythmia free for about 4 yrs before i started having isolated spells in 2021. EP joked that "Kudzu is growing" which means that the fibrosis continues to change. Average period from ablation to reoccurrence of AF is approx 5 yrs. PACs/PVCs were very prevalent in 2022-24. EP offered another ablation but I opted to chase this TSH rabbit first and that effort has yielded success for me.

Oh yeah. I agree that Google AI is questionable. I only use Dr Google to find research reports such as OCEAN-AF.