Amiodarone induced hypothyroidism

Posted by jomack25 @jomack25, Jul 28 1:08pm

I had bleeding ulcers with Hemoglobin at 6. Fell 20' hit my head with additional blood loss 2/23. After the fall, had a TIA and blood transfusion. Cardiologist was involved and said I was anemic but was incorrect. Later had 2nd TIA and Afib in my sleep. Cardiologist administered 400 mg of Amiodarone and 240 Ditiazem. Severe side effects were occurring and Amiodarne was discontinued and another cardiologist administered Flecainide 2 days later. Additional side effects were now happening. The thyroid and liver during this time were increasing until 1/24 the TSH was 15.3. Normal is .4-4.5. Side effects were fatigue, depression, and Levothryroxine was introduced in 1/24. TSH dropped from 1/24 to 5/24 and was 1.4 in 5/24 and now .7. On 6/17 Afib came back for 1st time since 2/23 and side effects from the Levothryoroxine seem to be happening.

Has anyone had the side effects from heart medications and from thyroid medication Levothryoroxine? On the 3rd cardiologists and none have remarked on the issues from medications and have dismissed my observations.

I recently received all my blood tests from the company that did my testing and saw a timeline of the impact occurring from 1/23 until now. 7/26/24. I started researching the medications and was shocked to learn the impact to health, so I was wondering if anyone had any information in line with what I was feeling, with fatigue, depression, chronic dizziness, and heart palpitations. If so, has anyone been able to resolve the problems with different methods dealing with Afib, thyroid or palpitation resolution.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Short answer: yes. And I think your medications are at the root of your issues.
I take 9 different prescribed medications. And everyone of them has potential side effects. I know of people who have been amiodarone for over 20 years and have had minimal issues with it. I am not one of those people. Nor, by the sounds of things, are you.
Amiodarone is considered the "gold standard" treatment for arrhythmias. I won't tell you of my entire experience with amiodarone but suffice it to say that I, too suffered from raised TSH levels while on it. Not as high as yours but bad enough to impact my quality of life in a substantial way. I, too, experienced fatigue, depression, and general malaise. But now your TSH level has now dropped too low. Yes, it is still within the parameters of "acceptable" - indeed, on the low side of normal. But those parameters do not serve all of us equally as well . You might be the "exception to the rule".
Why are you still on the levothyroxine if you are no longer taking amiodarone? Or are you still on Flecainide?
If yes, can you ask for a lower dose? In Europe, cardiologists use a much lower dose of amiodarone (100 mg.) than we do here. Studies have shown the lower dose to be as effective in most cases. Especially in older patients. Perhaps the same is true for Flecainide.
Too much levothyroxine can cause palpitations. I don't know what dosage you are on but I think I would seek to have it reduced. Then have regular blood tests tracking your progress. Perhaps, if the dose is lowered, then the palpitations will resolve themselves.
As for the low hemoglobin, low ferratin stores will cause arrhythmias. I experienced an upper GI bleed, a very small one that went undetected for several months but it resulted in my hemoglobin dropping below acceptable levels. When that happens, your body starts to use up your iron (ferratin) stores to "keep the lights on", as it were. I began to experience sustained and non sustained SVTs, several hundred a day. Long story short, the GI bleed was found, iron supplements were started and, 4 months later SVTs have stopped. Hemoglobin levels have returned to normal and, after that happened, iron stores started to replenish slowly.
I expect the transfusions addressed your immediate hemoglobin issues. And that your physicians have addressed the bleeding ulcers. But I can tell you that ferratin levels take a while to replenish.
I am happy to report that my thyroid function has returned to normal and I am no longer on any type of anti-arrhythmic medication.
I have come to the conclusion that we, as patients, must advocate for ourselves. We are all individuals and what might work very well for one person, might not work as well for me....or you. It is sometimes challenging to convince our physicians of that.
All the best.

REPLY

Amiodarone has iodine as one of its prime active ingredients. Thus, it can affect the lungs, kidneys, and the thyroid in addition to the desired effect on cardiac arrhythmias:
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/106/1/226/5959942

REPLY
@cottagecountry

Short answer: yes. And I think your medications are at the root of your issues.
I take 9 different prescribed medications. And everyone of them has potential side effects. I know of people who have been amiodarone for over 20 years and have had minimal issues with it. I am not one of those people. Nor, by the sounds of things, are you.
Amiodarone is considered the "gold standard" treatment for arrhythmias. I won't tell you of my entire experience with amiodarone but suffice it to say that I, too suffered from raised TSH levels while on it. Not as high as yours but bad enough to impact my quality of life in a substantial way. I, too, experienced fatigue, depression, and general malaise. But now your TSH level has now dropped too low. Yes, it is still within the parameters of "acceptable" - indeed, on the low side of normal. But those parameters do not serve all of us equally as well . You might be the "exception to the rule".
Why are you still on the levothyroxine if you are no longer taking amiodarone? Or are you still on Flecainide?
If yes, can you ask for a lower dose? In Europe, cardiologists use a much lower dose of amiodarone (100 mg.) than we do here. Studies have shown the lower dose to be as effective in most cases. Especially in older patients. Perhaps the same is true for Flecainide.
Too much levothyroxine can cause palpitations. I don't know what dosage you are on but I think I would seek to have it reduced. Then have regular blood tests tracking your progress. Perhaps, if the dose is lowered, then the palpitations will resolve themselves.
As for the low hemoglobin, low ferratin stores will cause arrhythmias. I experienced an upper GI bleed, a very small one that went undetected for several months but it resulted in my hemoglobin dropping below acceptable levels. When that happens, your body starts to use up your iron (ferratin) stores to "keep the lights on", as it were. I began to experience sustained and non sustained SVTs, several hundred a day. Long story short, the GI bleed was found, iron supplements were started and, 4 months later SVTs have stopped. Hemoglobin levels have returned to normal and, after that happened, iron stores started to replenish slowly.
I expect the transfusions addressed your immediate hemoglobin issues. And that your physicians have addressed the bleeding ulcers. But I can tell you that ferratin levels take a while to replenish.
I am happy to report that my thyroid function has returned to normal and I am no longer on any type of anti-arrhythmic medication.
I have come to the conclusion that we, as patients, must advocate for ourselves. We are all individuals and what might work very well for one person, might not work as well for me....or you. It is sometimes challenging to convince our physicians of that.
All the best.

Jump to this post

Just as a note on the question on why I'm still on levothyroxine. I'll try to go thru the dates and medications and thyroid issues from 2/23 until 7/24. At the time I was hospitalized, 2/23 the cardiologist at the hospital introduced 400 mg. of Amiodarone, with 240 mg. Diltiazem. In April 2023 my TSH was 8.05 (in Dec. 2022 prior to fall it was 1.4), and Amiodarone was reduced to 200 mg. in August 2023. At that time my TSH was 11.11, and in October 2023, Amiodarone was discontinued by the Cardiac Electrophystiologist and he added Flecainide. The side effects during the 10 months were becoming increasingly debilitating and Flecainide was discontinued in Dec. 2023 and Eliquis was added. In Jan, 2024 the TSH was 15.3 and my primary doctor put me on levothyroxine and 5/24 my TSH was back to 1.4. In 6/24 I had the first Afib event since 2/23 and had 1 event since but have not had another in 2 -3 weeks. Recently my new cardiologist placed an event monitor on my heart and I had heart palpitations. They continue until today.

So, it's been a nightmare all the way around and I had a TSH test done 5 days ago and the result was .7. Apparently my doctor is not concerned it decreased by 1/2 but I'll be changing doctors I hope in the next month, along with a new cardiologist.

I also wanted to thank you so much for responding to my comment. I have been unable to have any real information about the events that occurred and the medications that I was taking after I fell last year. You have been so helpful, you have no idea. All the doctors and cardiologists are not very interested or receptive to my concerns when medications are damaging me and the lack of follow-up or concern is very nerve wracking. You've helped me more than you know.
Thank you again, Jo

REPLY

So sorry to hear of these problems with reactions to medication. I have been on Synthroid(the nongeneric of levothyroxine) since I was 17 years old. I am 84 years old now. Among my lifetime health issues (besides HCM) have been a thyroid that doesn’t function normally and sensitivity and/ or allergies to medications. I tried Levothyroxine because Synthroid is so expensive but it did not work well for me, and I had to switch back to Synthroid. This might be something for you to think about. As for amnioderone, I took it for a while after my open heart surgery at Mayo Rochester, but they did not keep me on it for long. I also had to take it because of AFib after my Covid shot that put me in the hospital for several days. I can totally relate to your problems. Amiodorone made me feel awful, and I couldn’t wait to get off of it. In addition, I was on Eliquis like you. The side effects from Eliquis were as bad as the disease. Among the side effects was waking up every night bathed in sweat. I was exhausted not only from HOCUM but also from not being able to sleep because I was so hot. So they put me on Xarelto, which works fine. However, like Synthroid, I have to pay more for it. But thank God, I got a tier exemption from my insurance and that problem has been solved. I now pay only $6.00 a month instead of $100 a month. I’m doing all right now. So, I hope you can get some resolution to your problems. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Every day is worth it. 🙂

REPLY
@bettyann6

So sorry to hear of these problems with reactions to medication. I have been on Synthroid(the nongeneric of levothyroxine) since I was 17 years old. I am 84 years old now. Among my lifetime health issues (besides HCM) have been a thyroid that doesn’t function normally and sensitivity and/ or allergies to medications. I tried Levothyroxine because Synthroid is so expensive but it did not work well for me, and I had to switch back to Synthroid. This might be something for you to think about. As for amnioderone, I took it for a while after my open heart surgery at Mayo Rochester, but they did not keep me on it for long. I also had to take it because of AFib after my Covid shot that put me in the hospital for several days. I can totally relate to your problems. Amiodorone made me feel awful, and I couldn’t wait to get off of it. In addition, I was on Eliquis like you. The side effects from Eliquis were as bad as the disease. Among the side effects was waking up every night bathed in sweat. I was exhausted not only from HOCUM but also from not being able to sleep because I was so hot. So they put me on Xarelto, which works fine. However, like Synthroid, I have to pay more for it. But thank God, I got a tier exemption from my insurance and that problem has been solved. I now pay only $6.00 a month instead of $100 a month. I’m doing all right now. So, I hope you can get some resolution to your problems. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Every day is worth it. 🙂

Jump to this post

Thank you! I'm so glad I found the Mayo Clinic's connection system. It really has been such a help since I've had 1 cardiologist, 1 cardiologist specializing in cardiac physiology, and now a new cardiologist and also my primary care doctor who have not been forthcoming on the side effects of the medications over the last year. I was fine before I fell 20' in 2023, then during the hospitalization the hospital cardiologist gave me the high doses of Amiodarone (400mg) and Diltiazem (240mg) and waited until April to reduce Amiodarone (200mg), then my thyroid and liver levels were in danger zone and Amiodarone was stopped and strong evidence from Mayo and other health orgs. state Amiodarone has a long life in the system but the Cardiophysioloigst gave me Flecainide almost immediately and finally stopped all the meds from 2023 in December 2023.

So, the thyroid was permanently damaged and liver returned to normal and now I have to have thyroid mediation.

I blame myself for not looking into the medications myself and questioning my health since the side effects were debilitating and I still didn't do anything. And, the doctors still have no had any discussion about this with me. My new cardiologist after I was telling her that I had thoughts of suicide during and after the end of the meds, and when I stopped talking for a minute she said "are you finished"? So, I think that remark from her says it all. So, now I'm engaged but I guess better late than never and this site has been a Godsend. So I'm off to find new doctors for my heart and my healthcare since like you, I'm older and I know there are doctors out there that will discuss health issues in a conversational manner and not just pretty much being a number where at the height of a very emotional time in my life ask me "are you finished".

Thank you again!!! And, now as ya'll the damage is done, and now I have to figure out how I maneuver the rest of my life in a health care system that has gone down the drain. All kidding aside.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.