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...
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 2012, after being on Carbimazole and doing black and replace my GD went into remission and all medication had been stopped. After 16 months it came out of remission and I am now back on carbimazole 20mg per day. I declined RAI and opted for long term ATD. Due to the palpitations and tremors my GP put me on Propranolol 2 x 40 mg per day, I developed water retention and was put onto ferosumide and propranolol increased to 3 times daily. My endo said after 2 weeks of being on carbimazole to reduce the propranolol to twice a day then after 3 days to once a day and then completely off them. I thought that 3 days between was a bit soon so increased it to 5 days. Dropping from 3 to 2 went well didn't notice and difference but going from 2 to 1 has brought back the palpitations and any slight movement pushes them up which concerns me as I also have high blood pressure and on 12 mg a day of candesartan. Can someone advise if this is normal and is actually withdrawal symptoms or should I speak to my GP about staying on them longer?
Please help as unsure if this is the normal process or not
Please help as unsure if this is the normal process or not
How are your thyroid labs of the Free T3 and the Free T4 doing? If your Free T3 is higher than normal maybe it is not the right time to lower down the Propranolol yet?
It's only been two weeks since being on the meds? If so the Free T3 (if high) can take awhile to settle down.
I was taking Atenolol back then and took longer to wean off of it. I did not quickly go cold turkey.
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Yes, it can be withdrawal to fast.
Not only what mmtzcass mentioned, but you should be Ok staying on the beta blocker propranolol for awhile. Just make sure that your pulse doesn't go and remain under 60, then fore sure it would be time to reduce and see if the pulse stays above 60, if not then it's recommended to tapper and get off of the propranolol.
Most of us our best with the Free Ts from the mid to the upper third ranges.
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Did you ask your doctor to order a Free T3 test prior to getting the labs done? If you haven't yet, maybe still might be time left if the labs still have your blood draw to get that added in together with the Free T4 and TSH.
Is your consultant having you reduce the meds without any latest lab results to see if ready to do a reduction? If so it can be kinda tricky in knowing exactly how much to reduce the meds to see if on track with going the right direction.
Your symptoms could be hypO but don't know what your labs are including the latest ones. If hypO it would certainly mean it's time for dose reduction. Buf if still hypER means not ready for a dose reduction. Meds usually take 6 to 8 weeks to fully use up the extra stores of Iodine before ready to do a reduction.
I would see what labs says first before changing the doses and perhaps let the consultant know.
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TSH
my lab results are:
TSH less than 0.01
T3 4.3
T4 18.6
they suggested that TSH takes about a month to catch up and not a true reading, they have also reduced my CMZ from 20mg per day to 10mg per day and back in 6 weeks
You may want to know what your Free T3 and the Free T4 are doing. Most people feel best with the FT3 at mid range and for the FT4 at the mid to the upper range.
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