Expert: Tonja Wells - 11/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: Ms. Wells,

I was hoping to write to you and get a second opinion. About 4-5 weeks ago, I decided to get off the birth control pill. I have had irregular periods prior to getting on and decided I wanted off (for future health reasons) and get my body to normal naturally. About a day or so after getting of, I tried Dong Quai as I heard it helps with irregular periods. After taking it for two days, I had so much energy and at nights when I tried to sleep, I had many skipped heart beats and an increased pulse and as I was drifting off to sleep this warmth shot through my body, and then I felt as if everything was jittering inside but I was not obviously shaking. Stopped the herb thinking I had a reaction, and about 4 days later it go better. It seemed during the day I was less aware of my heart beating or having skipped beats and I had a week of being normal (some nights I slept normal, others I had a few skipped beats and that sensation of warmth).

I went to a doctor, had two EKG's done on my heart and he said it was normal. He said I could wear a heart monitor for 2 weeks if I kept getting them and it was no constant...the thought of this freaked me out so I stopped and I seemed to be getting better. Than out of nowhere it came back again, the slight palpitations at night and that warmth going through my body (not severe but I felt it).

Prior to this, the doctor had my vitamins, hormones and thyroid tested (thyroid was checked out about 4 weeks ago when it first started to about 1.5 weeks ago...it pretty much stayed the same. My initial TSH was 2.1, with a T4 of 1.2 my second test had TSH 2.7, with a T4 of 1.1. Doctor saids its normal...I'm not sure why it went up?). Anyways, when I get up I feel normal except I feel jittery but I'm not shaking and I dread going to sleep thinking that weird palpiation stuff will happen.

I'm tired of going to doctors at this point and ahving blood tests done as well. I thought, coudl this also be an effect of getting off the pill and my body adjusting? Its been about a month since all this started (and about a month this being off the pill), but I get my period actually 28 days since then, so I know my body is adjusting.

Any advice? I don't have heart disease in the family, I have low cholesterol, I work out well 3-4 times a week, I eat healthy, all that, and I've never had anything like this. Its pretty annoying and I really want it to go away. Thank you!

ANSWER: Unfortunatly the blood work does not help me as I don't have your ranges of the blood work and I must have specific T4/T3's.  All labs have different ranges and do differetn T4/T3.  
I do offer complete biochemical blood work but I do change for that as it takes about an hour to analyze it.  Doctors only look to see if it is in or out of range.

If T4 is towards the high end of the range and T3 is towards the low end of range then I would wonder if hyperthyroid is an issues and herbal to help calm it down would be appropriate.

Heart palpations can mean different things, hyper thyroid,  adrenal burnout.

Adrenal burnout can be the cause of many health issues.  

I would at the very least look at doing some B Compex and Passion Flower.
Passion Flower cna be taken at bedtime but don't take B Complex at bedtime.

I would be sure to find someone to work with on a personal basis to help you.  


Low cholesterol can be an issue. Low cholesterol often means congested liver.  Everything needs to be in balance.  Don't know how low yours is.

To your health,

Tonja Wells, CNHP, NHC
You can order the above herbals and learn more at www.yourherbalhealthsolutions.com

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose and treat diseases.  If you have any health problems consult a health practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the information.

My first thyroid TSH was 2.1 (range is .45-4.5), T4 was 1.2 out of .61-1.76.

Second test TSH was 2.7 (range is .45-4.5), T4 was 1.1 out of .61-1.76, and T3 was tested and was 3.6, range of 2.3 - 4.2.

The first test was done before getting off pill and taking Dong Quai, the second was about 2 weeks after I got off pill and stopped taking Dong Quai.

I went to an alt medicine specialist/acupuncturist who told me I have Heart Fire and gave me a hormone balancing, period balancing, emotion balancing herbal formula. I'm due for another round of acupuncture in a few days. Yes, my cholesterol was low when tested about a week or so ago (free check up, it was below 150). I take a daily whole foods supplement (includes by b vitamins, a, c, magnesium, selenium, zinc, etc). I was actually recommended a special tea to calm, as I've tried chamomile, lemon balm and passionflower before. It didnt really do anything drastic (I was really anxious when I took them anyways).

I'm probably going to give it another month as the doctor suggestd, and I feel, this may have somethign to do with hormone imbalance, especially when I took the Dong Quai (pure Dong Quai alone) and it was just too much for my body, hence, what he called "my blood is warm" and I feel that "heat" sensation when I go to sleep.  

Answer
First most MD's do not believe cholesteol can be to low so you won't see it out of range from a MD.  But this can be the root issue.  I would have to do a complete client consult to know why as there are multiple reasons as to why but this does have to do with hormone combusion, energy and stamana.

Looks like you have tried something for hyperthyroid with the lemon balm.  

If you are running hot I would use Thai Go and IF-Relief to cool the body.  

Unfortunately you dont' use the same T4 T3 I use but they look to be about in the center. I would also check SGOT and SGPT for congested liver.  IF they are low that can be a sign of congested liver as well as the low cholesterol.

You will want someone to do a full evaluation of your blood work to see where the body needs balanced.

I would also check cortisol levels with a saliva test as this can be a cortisol issue or an adrenal burnout issues as well.

Acupuncture does work for many.

Tonja