Thyroid Disease And The Heart: How Does It Affect Us in Hamilton?

To prevent cardiac conditions resulting from thyroid disease, it is important to diagnose and treat thyroid disease in Hamilton.

Due to thyroid disease, people with heart disease may experience worsened cardiac symptoms and accelerate underlying heart problems. Some people with otherwise healthy hearts may even develop new heart problems as a result.

How does the thyroid gland affect the heart? This article of our Hamilton compounding pharmacy explains.

The Thyroid Gland

Your thyroid gland regulates your metabolism by producing just the right amount of thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is also responsible for regulating how much oxygen and energy your body uses each day. It affects your digestive system, muscles, and even your skin tone. The thyroid affects each organ in our bodies, including our hearts. The heart can be affected by hypothyroidism (a condition called hypothyroidism) or hyperthyroidism (a condition called hyperthyroidism).

What is Hypothyroidism?

Known as hypothyroidism, it can be a subtle condition. Usually, hypothyroidism starts slowly with its symptoms so that it can sneak up on people.

Further, hypothyroidism is often accompanied by no typical symptoms, particularly in the elderly. Blood vessels and the heart cannot function normally when thyroid hormone is not enough. Eventually, the heart muscle becomes weak due to the reduced thyroid hormone level. The heart muscle is also unable to fully relax every time it beats. Diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the heart’s pumping chambers. This stiffening can lead to heart failure. High blood pressure is another side effect of hypothyroidism.

Ask your healthcare provider to measure your thyroid hormone levels if you are experiencing any symptoms of hypothyroidism not explained by your symptoms, for example, fatigue or weight gain. Heart disease sufferers also need to take this seriously.

Cardiac Symptoms

Hypothyroidism can cause cardiac symptoms in anyone, but they are most likely in people with underlying heart disease.

Hypothyroidism is associated with the following cardiac problems:

Swelling (edema)

Heart failure can worsen edema. A type of edema linked to hypothyroidism is called myxedema. It occurs when abnormal proteins and other molecules accumulate in the fluid surrounding the body’s cells.

Heart Arrhythmias

Hyperthyroidism may also cause premature heartbeats and abnormal, quivering heartbeats (atrial fibrillation).

Heart Failure (new or worsening)

When the underlying heart problem is relatively mild, hypothyroidism can result in heart failure for the first time.

High Diastolic Blood Pressure (diastolic hypertension)

Hypothyroidism can cause diastolic blood pressure to increase due to stiffened arteries.

Shortness of Breath (dyspnea)

If you have shortness of breath and poor exercise tolerance, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism which could be due to skeletal muscle weakness.

Those with heart disease and failing hearts may be affected by worsening heart failure.

Slow Heart Rate (bradycardia)

The thyroid hormone regulates your heart rate. Especially in people with heart disease and hypothyroidism, the heart rate is typically slower than normal by 10 to 20 beats per minute.

Worsening of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Thyroid hormone reduction can reduce the occurrence of angina (chest discomfort) caused by coronary artery disease. With hypothyroidism, LDL cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”) and C-reactive protein (an inflammatory protein) may increase, and underlying CAD may accelerate.

Hypothyroidism Treatments in Hamilton

Levothyroxine (Synthroid or Eltroxin) in Hamilton is the most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone. There are many strengths available, making dosage adjustments easier, but a person may be deficient in liothyronine (T3) as well. The commercially available strength is either 5mcg or 25mcg. Desiccated thyroid is another product that contains T4, T3, T2, and T1. It is made from pig glands. It is available in strengths of 30mg, 60mg, and 125mg. What can be done if the available strengths of T4 do not sufficiently treat one’s symptoms?

When this happens, compounding pharmacies can help with thyroid support. Compounding pharmacists in a Hamilton compounding pharmacy can customize a patient’s dose according to their needs. You can treat your hypothyroid condition by choosing from many effective treatment options. If you still have questions, ask our pharmacists, and they will do everything they can to answer them.