About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
I am a 37 year old mand and have suffered from cronic fatigue along with different types of flue like symptons for 14 years now. I just discoverd , from an EKG I just obtained from 9 years ago, an undiagnosed Sinus Bradycardia along with a heart rate of 42 bpm, (The Dr. never told me this when he had the test done 9 years ago -- really a terrible thing!). Now years later I still have Sinus Bradycardia and I was just diagnosed by an Endrocrinoligist with Hypothyroid , Hyshimoto's Disease along with some Auto-Immune Disease.
Withen the past 6 months I have started to have dizzy spells.
I have had the following tests preformed recently:
1.) 24 Hour Holter Monitor:
Average Heart Rate : 50/B.P.M
Minimum Rate: 28/B.P.M.
6 Pauses, (longest was 3.2 Seconds).
2.) Stress Test -- Normal
3.) Tilt Table -- Unable to cause me to passout.
4.) T-4 -- (4.150)
5.) TSH (4.15)
6.) Cortisol (17.3)
The Endroconoligist says I need to be on Synthroid for the rest of my life and the Cardiologist says I will probably need a pace maker. Do I need one the other of both?
I am really scared and have not done anything yet. Could the Sinus Bradycardia be caused from the thyroid condition? What is the mose extreme case of Sinus Bradycardia caused from Hypothyroid , Hyshimoto's Disease? Does long term Sinus Bradycardia cause permanent damage?
Any information is very much appreciated! I am really in the dumps and just this nightmare to end after 14 years.
Thanks!
Answer Dear Rick, You will need to be on some type of synthetic hormone for your thyroid condition such as Synthroid and it will have to be monitores closely because as the body destroyes the thyroid, the medications will probably have to be kept being increased....
If you need a pace maker like the doctor says, then get it.. I am not a doctor so I can't make a decision like that....
Hashimoto's disease probably did not cause your Sinus Bradycardia, but you mentioned "another autoimmune disease" but didn't say what it was.... Some autoimmune diseases such as SLE can cause heart problems as well as other internal organ problems.... OR, the heart could just develope this condition without any other medical problems....
Any abnormality which goes undiagnosed or untreated when it comes to the heart, can cause permanent damage....
