Beta Blockers & Hemoglobin a1c

As part of my research into vagally-mediated AF, which was helped greatly by the people and resources of this forum (thank you again!), I weaned off Metoprolol and am now taking just 6.25 mg per day to give some stability to my heart. Yes, that small a dose actually works for me. I'll be discussing the matter of rate control with my cardio tomorrow.

I found that being off of Toprol entirely left my heart feeling rather weakened and shakey; this small dose does seem to provide stability. Plus it's needed for when I take my PIP Flecainide.

I've been curious to see if going off Toprol might improve my Hemoglobin a1c test, which has stayed firmly in the pre-diabetes range every 6 months these past 4 years, in spite of my excellent diet and self-care. I'd been on Toprol the entire time, till a few weeks ago.

Beta blockers have been implicated in causing diabetes. I wondered if there could be a connection there for me.

Last week I had my latest test.

My score dropped the furthest it's ever dropped: from 6.0 (pre-diabetes) down to 5.3, in normal range. This is the first time I've been in normal range since being tested.

I really don't know what else could have caused such a sharp drop, but found it rather interesting. And, of course, I'm pleased to be in normal range.

I wonder if others have experienced this type of change in a1c with beta blockers, both going on and off them.

[AnneWorner]

The news that your A1C is now in normal range is fantastic. I can only say: congratulations!

[Pommel]

Hello nella, I was interested to read your post. I have just been told I have pre diabetes (and though I am sure it can affect anyone I'm not someone who eats loads of sugar and I am not overweight and exercise frequently). I have been on 10mg per day max dose bisoprolol beta blockers for about 18 months to two years now. I have heart failure and the drug has really helped but I would rather not develop any other problems!! I've cut out what little sugar I eat and cut down on carbs but I don't know what else I can do to reverse the pre diabetes. If you find out anything else I'd be interested to hear!

[Hidden in reply to Pommel]

Hello Pommel, I'm happy to hear that you found my post helpful.

Since I wrote it, I've gone off daily doses of Metoprolol and my HR generally stays in a good range, usually in the 70s. I take Flecainide PIP and will take a little Toprol only if my HR soars. I discovered a pattern, which is that if I have the rare daytime episode after I've taken a morning dose of Eleuthero (a supplement), my HR is more likely to increase, so then I'll take Toprol. I'm still in the process of discerning whether I want to keep taking Eleuthero.

I do think that I'm better off in general without the Toprol. My EP back when I was first diagnosed 5 years ago prescribed it after my first ablation. As I mentioned, it was only after I learned so much here about beta blockers and from Dr. Gupta that I broached going off of it. It's amazing that the docs don't follow up and really look at the meds and doses after putting us on these things!

I won't know for a few more months if my Ha1C is still in normal range, since I only take the test every 6 months.

If you can find a skilled acupuncturist you like, you might look into exploring your options with Chinese medicine to complement your cardio treatment. An acquaintance of mine started seeing my former acupuncturist after she was diagnosed with heart failure and she decided to go off the beta blockers because of the dreadful side effects. I don't know any of the details of her treatment, but I do know that within Chinese medicine, there are some treatments which can bring about a similar effect as Western medicine, but in a gentler manner, through a different mechanism. I've experienced this with herbal antibiotics and a Stomach Support blend that I took instead of Prilosec after my ablation, for instance.

Of course, I'm not a doctor and wouldn't presume to be in a position to give advice. My personal experience is that it's been worth it to me to explore alternatives, based on my experience of being so overpowered by medications. My system is different from most people in that I'm highly sensitive. I've come to learn that most Western docs really don't understand what this means in terms of medications, dosage and side effects, so I've taken it upon myself to learn all that I can. It's definitely been worth it.

Just this morning on my hike, I remarked that though I still have episodes, I don't have that drugged, lethargic feeling that I so often had with Toprol.

Best wishes to you, Pommel!