Heart Palpitations? Your Thyroid May Be Overactive

If your heart feels like it’s racing, skipping beats, or pounding in your chest, you’re not alone — and you’re right to be concerned. While heart palpitations can have many causes, an overactive thyroid is one of the most common culprits that people don’t think to check.

Why This Symptom Matters

Your thyroid gland acts like your body’s gas pedal, controlling how fast or slow your systems run. When it produces too much thyroid hormone — a condition called hyperthyroidism — it essentially puts your entire body into overdrive, including your heart.

Thyroid hormones directly affect your heart rate and rhythm. Too much thyroid hormone makes your heart beat faster and harder than normal, which you feel as palpitations, rapid heartbeat, or that uncomfortable awareness of your heart pounding. This isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s your body’s way of telling you something needs attention.

The good news? If thyroid issues are causing your heart symptoms, they’re typically very treatable once identified. Many people feel significantly better within weeks of starting proper thyroid treatment.

Unlike some heart conditions that develop gradually, thyroid-related heart palpitations often come with other telltale signs like unexplained weight loss, feeling hot all the time, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. Recognizing these patterns can help you get to the root cause faster.

Could It Be Your Thyroid?

Heart palpitations have many possible causes — from too much caffeine to stress, anxiety, certain medications, or actual heart conditions. However, if your palpitations are accompanied by other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, feeling constantly warm, increased appetite, anxiety, or trouble sleeping, your thyroid deserves investigation.

You’re more likely to have thyroid-related heart symptoms if you’re a woman (especially over 35), have a family history of thyroid disease, or have other autoimmune conditions. Pregnancy and menopause can also trigger thyroid changes that affect your heart rhythm.

The key difference is that thyroid-related palpitations usually don’t happen in isolation — they’re part of a bigger picture of your body running too fast. If you’ve noticed your heart racing along with other unexplained changes, thyroid testing makes good sense.

What Tests Should You Consider?

For heart palpitations potentially linked to thyroid issues, the most important tests are TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and Free T4. These show whether your thyroid is producing too much hormone. If results suggest hyperthyroidism, your doctor may recommend additional tests like Free T3 or thyroid antibodies to determine the specific cause.

What to Expect from Testing

Thyroid testing is straightforward — just a simple blood draw that takes minutes. Most testing services let you order online and visit a nearby lab at your convenience. Results typically come back within 1-3 days, giving you clear answers about whether your thyroid could be behind your heart symptoms.

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting along with your palpitations. For persistent palpitations without alarming symptoms, start with thyroid testing — but follow up with a healthcare provider to discuss your results and next steps, especially if tests show thyroid abnormalities.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.