Hypothyroidism?

Calico

I agree with Tender.  I think you need to get the slow heart rate and "palpitations" checked out more thoroughly.  The palpitations could be caused by the slow rate--your heart could be compensating for the slow rate by putting out ectopic beats.  The slow rate could be a conduction block or some other primary cardiac problem, or it could be secondary to something else--like hypothyroidism.  In any case, waiting until December to get it re-checked does not sound like a good idea.  A heart rate that slow could cause you to pass out, as Tender said.  My uncle had a heart rate around 30 or so, and he ended up needing a pacemaker.  He is not allowed to drive until the pacemaker is implanted, because he could black out while driving.  So, I would ask for a consult with a good cardiologist if I were you.

OTOH, both the bradycardia and the high TSH are consistent with hypothyroidism.  I had a slow heart rate (generally below 50 bpm at rest, sometimes < 45 bpm), and I was eventually dx'd with Hashimoto's thyroiditis after seeing an endocrinologist for an unrelated problem.  I did have a few other symptoms of hypothyroidism, but it was the thyroid function testing that revealed a high TSH, low thyroxine levels, and some other stuff showing it was immune-mediated (which yours isn't).

So, a consult with an endocrinologist would also be a good idea, especially considering your medical history.  The question is, who should you see first?  Maybe a good internal medicine doc, who could send you in the right direction.

otter 

Calico, I've been on Synthroid for about 7 years.  After making the Hashimoto's dx, the endocrinologist put me on an escalating dose of Synthroid until my TSH went way down.  Then he backed off until everything stabilized.  My dose has been around 75 to 100 mcg ever since then.

I stopped seeing the endocrinologist in 2004 because he was putting enormous pressure on me to start taking HRT.  (I was menopausal and I'd told him I was having very mild hot flashes.)  Ironic, isn't it?  I declined the HRT, he got nasty, I quit seeing him ... and 4 years later I was dx'd with ER+ BC.

I do want to mention that, although my TSH and Synthroid dose have been stable for several years, things changed during chemo.  I needed to renew my Synthroid script in April, so I went to my PCP and he re-checked my TSH.  It had been down below 2.0 (but above 0.3) for a long time, but this time it was just at 3.0.  I was about 2-1/2 wks into my first round of Taxotere & Cytoxan at the time.

My PCP wanted to increase the Synthroid dose a bit, but I convinced him to wait and re-check my TSH after I finished chemo.  I'd read that chemo could affect thyroid function (or dysfunction), and TSH levels might change as a result...and then change again, once the chemo was over.  I have an appt for a re-check a couple of weeks from now. 

And, yes, I've been tolerating Synthroid just fine.  It's a nuisance to have to take it first thing in the morning, an hour before I eat anything.  That could become a problem if I ever go on an oral bisphosphonate for osteoporosis.  I'm mildly osteopenic now, and I'm taking Arimidex which will probably make that worse.  I don't know if the Synthroid contributed to my bone-thinning.   I don't think my dose has been too high, but my PCP doesn't always check T3 or T4 when he checks TSH.

I do know that I've felt a whole lot better since the Hashimoto's was dx'd and I started on Synthroid. 

otter 

Calico

I also take 75 mcg of Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid).  I take it when I first wake up, and the pharmacist told me that you should wait at least 1/2 hour to eat...  I try to always wait at least 1 hour before eating.

I have GAINED weight, since my bc dx...  Initially I lost alot of weight, but after chemo, I gained it back and then some.  I've been taking the Synthroid for 10 years now, so no, it didn't help  me to lose weight.  I stayed the same for a long time.

Let us know how you make out, ok?

Harley