Anyone have heart palpitation after I-131?

MoMomsa
MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
Hi everyone, Momomsa here and I'm new to posting, but not new to reading them! Been through ovarian cancer in January and now Thyroid in August.

It's been a couple weeks since my I 131 treatment. I'm waking up in the middle of the night with heart palpitations since. My Endo lowered my synthroid, but it continues. Anyone else have this issue? If so,any sugestions? My Endo suggested if it continues after a week on my new thyroid dose, to head to my primary care doc. If it keeps up, I will but until then, wondering if this is common or not......
Thanks and appreciate any wise words! :)

Comments

  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    #2
    Heart Palpitations after I-131
    No MoMomsa, I didn't have this problem. I took the Thyrogen injections before and did not stop any medications prior to my treatment. I would go see your PCP and get an EKG as soon as possible.
  • Finnegan1
    Finnegan1 Member Posts: 21
    #3
    heart palps
    I had the "not too fast but super hard- pounding, slightly irregular" heartbeats with the radioactive iodine treatment last week.
    I asked my nuclear med dr. and he said, more than likely it was a side effect of me being off of the thyroid medications for 3 weeks in preparation for the I-131, and not the radiation itself causing this. I wonder if your medication levels were lowered enough that this is causing the same. He asked me how often it was occurring, and I told him once a day for maybe 1-2 minutes, for 3 days. The 3rd day, the beating became irregular rather than just pounding. He said if it continues more than 5 minutes, we may have a different problem going on. Does any of this sound familiar?
    So please, find a Dr. you can talk to about this and I hope, be reassured. I really hope this posting helps.
    Incidentally, had my scan today, came back fine, with just normal residuals, and my heartbeat has been closer to normal for 2 days now. Hang in there. You're in someone's prayers.
  • MoMomsa
    MoMomsa Member Posts: 16
    #4
    Finnegan1 said:

    heart palps
    I had the "not too fast but super hard- pounding, slightly irregular" heartbeats with the radioactive iodine treatment last week.
    I asked my nuclear med dr. and he said, more than likely it was a side effect of me being off of the thyroid medications for 3 weeks in preparation for the I-131, and not the radiation itself causing this. I wonder if your medication levels were lowered enough that this is causing the same. He asked me how often it was occurring, and I told him once a day for maybe 1-2 minutes, for 3 days. The 3rd day, the beating became irregular rather than just pounding. He said if it continues more than 5 minutes, we may have a different problem going on. Does any of this sound familiar?
    So please, find a Dr. you can talk to about this and I hope, be reassured. I really hope this posting helps.
    Incidentally, had my scan today, came back fine, with just normal residuals, and my heartbeat has been closer to normal for 2 days now. Hang in there. You're in someone's prayers.

    Heart Pals
    Thanks Sunnyaz and Finnegan1,

    I did head back to my primary physican and he put me on Metoprolol.
    He said my heart was racing because most likely my Synthroid was to high
    of a dose and it will take about a month for that "dose" to be fully out
    of my system. I'm on a lower dose of synthroid now as well. So, for anyone
    who has this issue, it's good to know!
    Thanks for the comments! :)Everyone have a great day!
  • sunnyaz
    sunnyaz Member Posts: 582
    #5
    MoMomsa said:

    Heart Pals
    Thanks Sunnyaz and Finnegan1,

    I did head back to my primary physican and he put me on Metoprolol.
    He said my heart was racing because most likely my Synthroid was to high
    of a dose and it will take about a month for that "dose" to be fully out
    of my system. I'm on a lower dose of synthroid now as well. So, for anyone
    who has this issue, it's good to know!
    Thanks for the comments! :)Everyone have a great day!

    Heart Pals
    Glad you got an answer. It may take a little while to get the dose regulated but once you do life is much easier. I doubt that it will take a full month. Most likely two to three weeks. The BP med will most likely be temporary. Take care of yourself!

Discussion Boards