What is Amiodarone?

It is a powerful medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias like Atrial Fibrillation).

Why does it hurt the thyroid?

Amiodarone is 37% iodine by weight. Taking one pill is like eating 100 times the daily requirement of iodine. This massive iodine load can disrupt the thyroid.

• Amiodarone-Induced Hypothyroidism (AIH): The thyroid shuts down due to the iodine flood. Treated with Levothyroxine.
• Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis (AIT): The thyroid becomes inflamed and releases excess hormone (Hyperthyroidism). This is dangerous for the heart.

Monitoring:

Anyone taking Amiodarone needs thyroid blood tests (TSH, T4) every 3-6 months.

Can I stop the drug?

Never stop Amiodarone without your cardiologist. It stays in the body for months even after stopping. Endocrinologists and Cardiologists must work together to manage the thyroid while protecting the heart.