Atrial Fibrilation (AFIB)/Increased Pulse Rate

[BamaGal]

Hi all, it has been a while since I have been on this board.  Been gluten-free for about 10 years now.  Was diagnosed this past Tuesday with AFIB because of rapidly increased pulse rate.  3 known triggers for that disease are: high blood pressure; high cholesterol; and smoker.  I have none of those.  My question is this:  Have any of you experienced/heard of a connection between celiac disease and AFIB?  If so, what are your experiences?  I consider myself young at 47 years old and am very active.  My doctor has put me on light duty until I can get in to see a cardiologist.  I am extremely nervous and would appreciate your stories/experiences.  TIA! 

[cristiana]

Hi BamaGal

I hope someone else can help you here with more specific insight but I thought I'd just put this in. I have not been diagnosed with AFIB but when I had my second child ten years ago my heart rate was rapid and all over the place when I was in labour.  Then the run up to the time I was diagnosed with celiac disease, three years ago, I often got palpitations. My ferritin was down to 9; it is down again to this level because of perimenopause issues. The palpitations are back. It made me wonder if there was a link and I have found this.

Open Original Shared Link

I'm no expert but perhaps it might be something worth checking.

Forgive me as I don' have regular internet access just at the moment so I might not be able to come back to you if you have any more questions for me, but hopefully other people can chime in.

 

[ironictruth]

I have read about a connection with POTS (mild issues myself), roemheld syndrome and general nervous system issues and celiac. How fast did your heart rate get?  

How scary. I hope they are able to figure it out soon! 

[BamaGal]

Thank you both for your responses.  My heart rate got up to 136 per minute, and yes, it was very scary.  I had pneumonia at the time, so I had attributed it to that.  But after further research by the Doctor, it was AFIB.  The cardiologist has called and has moved my appointment up to tomorrow.  Plus ... I have found out that it can be caused by an untreated condition, such as thyroid disease.  We all know that thyroid disease is an autoimmune disease that is associated with celiac disease.  I am hoping that is what it could be. 

Again, thank you all for your words.  I'll keep you posted.  

[ironictruth]

38 minutes ago, BamaGal said:

Thank you both for your responses.  My heart rate got up to 136 per minute, and yes, it was very scary.  I had pneumonia at the time, so I had attributed it to that.  But after further research by the Doctor, it was AFIB.  The cardiologist has called and has moved my appointment up to tomorrow.  Plus ... I have found out that it can be caused by an untreated condition, such as thyroid disease.  We all know that thyroid disease is an autoimmune disease that is associated with celiac disease.  I am hoping that is what it could be. 

Again, thank you all for your words.  I'll keep you posted.  

Ask for a thyroid ultrasound. My levels were always normal but my thyroid ultrasound came back abnormal and my Endo told me that the antibodies were attacking my thyroid.

[icelandgirl]

Hi Bamagal,

That sounds super scary...((((hugs)))).

It could definitely be thyroid...hyperthyroidism or Graves will increase heart rate.

Please ask that they do a full thyroid panel on you to include: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPOAb and TgAb.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[ironictruth]

44 minutes ago, BamaGal said:

Btw, since my gluten challenge I have had palps and 2 episodes where my heart went nuts, totally out of sync. Very scary stuff. Lots of hugs!