Beta blockers

[FrankSwindell]

Are any other people who have hypothyroidism raki g beta blockers for palpitations.

[humanbean]

People often mention beta blockers on this forum. I take a tiny dose occasionally - perhaps a couple of times a month.

The problem is that doctors dish out beta blockers without trying to find the cause of the palpitations.

Having the wrong thyroid hormone levels will cause palpitations in many people. Just checking TSH won't tell you anything much though, unless it is high.

Having low levels of iron may also causes palpitations.

Low B12 and low folate can cause heart issues too.

There are probably lots of other causes that I know nothing about.

The problem with beta blockers is that they are, to a certain extent, addictive. Your heart can come to depend on them. This is why I won't take them all the time.

[Nanaedake]

If you have to take betablockers for medical reasons then it can't be helped but if it won't do any harm not to take them then it might be worth finding something else that eases palpitations or just put up with them.

Ask the doctor to investigate the cause of the palpitations and find out whether you really need betablockers. I got 'stuck' taking betablockers and it was very difficult to stop taking them but it meant the doctors didn't pursue the reasons for my tachycardia which might have been due to low calcium levels. This does not show up in blood tests unless very severe. I would get a thorough check of all vitamins and keep a diary of symptoms. Research magnesium as it may help.

[shaws Administrator]

Are you having severe palpitations?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which beta blocker are you taking? Is it propranolol? Is it specifically for thyroid issues irregular heartbeat/palpitations, or other reasons

Are you adequately treated for hypothyroidism? Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

Low vitamins are common. Low iron/ferritin and low magnesium can upset heart rate

Have you had ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D tested

If you add results and ranges for these and TSH, FT3 and FT4 members can advise

[Hidden]

The only time that iv'e had palpitations was when I was taking too much NDT as soon as I cut back they have gone completely there may be another cause for yours. Sorry, I now nothing about the medication you have been offered I never take anything given to me at the doctors.

[FrankSwindell in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[FrankSwindell]

Thank you for replying no not hashimotos . hypo only .on low dose thyroxine but palps come after taking it

[Nanaedake in reply to FrankSwindell]

Post your latest blood test results for best advice from the forum.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to FrankSwindell]

You never replied as to which beta blocker

Propranolol affects thyroid hormones. Used to treat hyperthyroid.

Gluten intolerance can cause palpitations as can low magnesium and low ferritin

[Mermaid238]

I was hospitalized over night my heart rate was high and fluctuations. I have terrible palpitations heart goes beat beat miss beat miss beat and so on. Feels like it thumps - awful. The doc who came in to see me prescribed metroprolol Tartrate 25 mg every 12 hours? and Flecainide 50 mg every 12 hours. My GP has dropped my Armour from 75 mg to 60mg I hope this new doctor can figure it all out. I am sure he will do all the thyroid tests.

[MinscAndBoo]

@FrankSwindell

I have no thyroid so I think that counts as Hypothyroidism (taking 150mcg t4 eutroxsig) , also I'm on the max dose of beta blockers (50mg of carvedilol per day) plus ramipril and djoxin +plus more, for Daunorubicin induced dilated cardiomyopathy.

You have to be careful of T3 NDT or Armour, its powerful as T3 is absorbed instantly by the body, especially if rubbed on the gums (direct to blood vessels) and not digested.

Also, try to stagger the dose of thyroid med and heart meds, say an hour between them. That has helped me in the past, even though there are no known interactions, it seemed to help avoid violent heart reactions.

Also, as others have said, I would consult a doctor immediately, but in the mean time I would reduce the Armour level further to see if it reduces the palpitations.

[Hidden]

I have been on beta blockers for the past four years. I started having palpitations when I went through a very stressful period, and was originally put on 100 mg of Tenormin daily. I have since lowered it to 50 mg, but find it impossible to stop the beta blockers altogether. I'm not happy about it but, without beta blockers, my heart rate rises to over a 100 bpm, whereas on beta blockers it's about 75...doctors think I'm overmedicated as my TSH is suppressed (I'm on NDT).

I have noticed that I feel best when my FT3 levels are in the upper part of range, and I need my FT4 levels to be at least midrange. That leaves me with a suppressed TSH and that is all doctors go by to diagnose drug induced hyperthyroidism...