[Anonymous]

#1032166

The very best place to obtain information about the specific beta blocker that you are prescribed is to go to one of those pill reference books, and read up, yourself. Some of these are even written in ENGLISH (LOL) which, trust me, helps a lot. I usually browse through the supply at bookstores to figure out which one I can understand that seems to give me the most thorough information. Libraries probably also have them. You can also — equally good — talk with your pharmacist.

Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1110578

Hi all

My endo decided to put me on a beta blocker without seeing me, while I am waiting for my uptake scan. I am not sure I really need one. I do not have a rapid heart rate just palpatations when exerting myself and I was reading the drug facts online and they scared me with the slowing of the heart rate and the side effects of it. What if anything can happen to me with palpatations if I just leave it be. The nurses in her office are not very helpful they do not seem to understand what im saying when i talk with them, they thought originally i was having the ablation done next week and not the uptake scan. I am beginning to think I need a new endo she did not explain her thoughts very well the last time I was in there either. I have the uptake done and then i do not even see her for a month. I orginally wanted to just go back on my med after the uptake which is why i called. I mean I am having all the hyper symptoms and just wanted to feel better while im waiting. Is there a reason why I can’t be on my PTU before the ablation? I know I am rambling her but I guess I am feeling like maybe im not getting the best care. thanks all for listening.

[Anonymous]

#1110579

It is quite typical for a beta blocker to be prescribed in the early days after the hyperthyroidism diagnosis. Beta blockers do not lower the levels of thyroid hormone, but they DO block the action of the hormone in some of our tissues. They do provide us with a bit of relief. And they do protect the heart from elevated levels of hormone.

Palpitations are generally not considered to be dangerous, but because we can “feel” the heart beat (which we normally do not) it is rather scarey. However, elevated levels of thyroid hormone can also interrupt the rhythmical pulsing of the heart and cause arrythmias, which are very dangerous. These are rarer, but much more to be feared.

If you have diabetes or asthma, you should question your doctor closely about what to expect from the beta blocker, because the drug can sometimes create problems for folks with those conditions. Other than that, beta blockers (despite the list of side effects on the package) are generally safe. Not to minimize side effect issues, because “some” people have obviously encountered the side effects listed on any drug packages, the issue is not whether or not there is a possibility of a particular side effect, but how common that side effect is. Drug manufacturers need to list absolutely everything even remotely possible, even though most of what is on that label only happens once every third coon’s age. What we need to understand is that the dangers associated with being hyperthyroid are much more common, much more dangerous, than most of the side effects on the beta blocker package.

We are generally told not to exercise while hyperthyroid. YOu absolutely MUST talk with your doctor about exercise levels. You can cause damage to tendons and muscles (because elevated levels of thyroid hormone interfere with the proper working of muscle and also causes muscle loss which means that your normal levels of exercise will be too much for the surrounding tissues over time) and you can also stress your heart more than it is already being stressed.

I hope this information helps. And I do hope you are feeling much better, and soon.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1110580

Hi standingfirm,

“Is there a reason why I can’t be on my PTU before the ablation?”

There is: the PTU will keep your thyroid from taking up the RAI and so you would not get the full benefit of the dose. I know it’s rough to be off the PTU and feeling crummy again. The beta blocker may help with some of those symptoms in the meantime. It helped me.

Good luck!

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1110581

Thanks Ski and Bobbie-

that helped alot, I did not realize it helped with all the symptoms I just thought that it was for the heart and thought the communication between my endo and the nurse who talked to me was not good. I just did not want to take something that might make me feel worse. You guys are great thanks again I do not know what I would do with out this board.

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