Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
My OB has talked with and Endo and until I can get in to see him, he has added 25mg 2 times a day of Atenolol. And he wants to keep me on the 300mg of PTU as prescribed by my GP. My OB stepped in after I expressed great concerns over the lack of info. my GP had gotten or told me.... Anyway, my question is can I take these at the same time..I would only do that once a day as the beta blocker is 2 times a day and the ptu us 3. My first dose of PTU is at 8:00AM...can I take my first dose of atenolol at that time?
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i have constant fatigue and can barely get out of bed. Taking NP thyroid and Dr recently added Cytomel. Since I started Cytomel my appetite has increased, gained weight and feel so incredibly angry and argumentative. It has not helped with weight loss and energy as the Dr was hoping. My hair has also become very dry and I feel as if I'm experiencing premature aging. I feel and look 80...
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
We have two beta blockers commonly prescribed.
Atenolol can be taken only once a day by a person with a normal metabolism, and is an advance to those that do not want their T3 to drop, as it doesn't affect T3.
Propranolol (Inderal) is used to treat the high BP and rapid heartbeat, plus also slowing conversion of T4 into T3. This is commonly used by sub-clinical patients ( TSH only suppressed, normal T4 and T3, but symptoms so no ATDs) and by those with a too high T3.
Most patients take these together. Many pharmacists say to separate by a couple hours. Since it's sort of like taking two downers at the same time.
I took PTU ( slows conversion of T4 into T3) and Propranolol ( slows conversion of T4 into T3) . Took them together as prescribed.. bad move. Figured out pretty quickly that separating them at least gave me a better chance of getting my pants on before noon. LOL
You will find patients praising beta blockers in the early stages, and I'm one of he. But.. you will also find those that claim they are HORRIBLE. Difference is in the details.. those unhappy are not realizing the problem was the dose.. not the drug.
Beta blockers are not appropriate for those with asthma.
Once one has been on beta blockers for a few weeks, the body becomes dependent, so when stopping them it must be done gradually, weaned off of..not cold turkey. That rebound high heart rate is terrifying.. I forgot once after being on mine for about a year.. boy.. scared me. never left the house without a back up pill case from then on. If I did forget I could feel it start and then take one.
Most only need the beta blockers the first couple months until they reach and stay at a normal thyroid level. For those of us forced hypo and still unaware what's going on.... the beta blocker protects us from the hypo high blood pressure and rapid heart rate on exertion problems. .
My pulse rate runs in the 90's all of the time...I do hope once the PTU kicks in really well, the beta blockers can be eliminated. I will start them tonight and then I will be seeing my OB for my regular yearly appt, next week...I don't see the Endo until March 14....in the meantime, I am looking to change GPs so who knows.
Gosh, I sure miss the days when I went to the Dr. once a year for a sinus infection!
I have two babies to take care of so sickness and multiple doctor appointments are not exactly what I ordered! UGH!
How about one of those granny pill holders with the multiple compartments for each day ? Feeling old yet ? LOL
It'll pass.
Post-partum Graves' ( child under 18 months) is one of the best to have! Almost all of the gals I've known in this position have come in under the 2 year mark when so many doctors refuse to prescribe meds any more. .. as stupid as that is anyway...
I want to point out that taking Atenolol does help to reduce the T3 levels for me.
Here's one link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6133659
http://cmbi.bjmu.edu.cn/uptodate/critical%20care/other/Beta%20blockers%20in%20the%20treatment%20of%20hyperthyroidism.htm
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/125497-treatment
Propranolol works quicker to bring down the T3 in Thyrotoxicosis. Atenolol takes a bit longer, but still works.
I've taken Atenolol twice in my treatment. The first one when I began with the ATD therapy and the second time around about two and a half years ago when I had a hypER blip for several months due to needing to take an antibiotic for an infection.
I finally got off of the Atenolol when my FT3 went down too low. Then I continued going downwards too low recently. Eek...! :-(
{{{hugs}}} :-)