Is Sore Throat, Ear Pain And Fatigue Along With Short Breath And Low Heart Rate An Indication Of Thyroid Problem?

Posted on Thu, 27 Feb 2014

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

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 Answered on

Sat, 15 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : for the last few weeks I've been feeling like I have the flu or something with a sore throat, ear pain and fatigue. then I started getting really bad joint pain in my hands and feet and worsened fatigue. my resting HR is always above 100 but it does bother me and my doctor says it idiopathic but the last two days I've felt like im having trouble breathing and my HR has been in the 40s with an O2 below 95. im wondering if it could be a thyroid problem?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Thyroid Detailed Answer: A heart rate of 40 is worrisome. I strongly recommend you go to the emergency and get this evaluated. Thyroid problems can cause heart rates ranging from low to high depending on the type of thyroid condition. for example hyperthyroidism or an over active thyroid can cause fast heart rate while hypothyroidism or under active thyroid can cause slow heart rate. Both these problems are easy to detect by doing a simple blood test called TSH and free T4. Regarding the other symptoms you are reporting it is possible you may suffered a bout of thyroiditis which is a temporary bruising of the thyroid gland. Many a time it requires only symptomatic treatment and normalizes by itself after a few weeks. An experienced endocrinologist will be able to manage this well but (s)he will need to assess you in person

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