Anxiety, Heart Palpations, Dizziness. Prescribed Anti Depressant. Is It Due To Thyroid Problem?

Posted on Fri, 3 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 3 Aug 2012 Answered on

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My son, age 35, has been having anxiety, heart racing/palpations, and dizziness. He is very physically fit and eats a great diet. He has just had some blood labs done(noresults as yet) and I think it may be his thyroid or hypothalamus he was prescribed an anti-depressant to address the anxiety . He is not happy about this, as he doesnt feel he needs it. What is your opinion?

Answered by Dr. Kiran Kumar (3 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.

The symptomayology of your son is suggestive of either anxiety or a hormonal imbalance such as thyroid disorder.

My opinion is that it is likely due to anxiety. Hyperthyroidism can causesuch symptomsnbut is also associated with other features such as fever, weight loss, excess appetite, heat intolerance. You have mentioned that he is otherwise healthy.

Anxiety can be the cause. However, its a diagnosis of exclusion.
Therfore, please wait for the thyroid results.

Also consider getting an ECHO done which can dilineate if there is any cardiac cause.

Hope this answers your query.

Please get back if you need any further assistance.

Sincerely,

Dr Kiran

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar