Hypothyroidism and propranolol

[nicnac03]

I went to to the doctors about my anxiety and he’s prescribed me propranolol. The leaflet said it can be used with hyperthyroidism - will this have any affect on my hypothyroidism?

[Sallyplum]

You’ve got low adrenal function or adrenal fatigue. Do 4x diurnal salivary year (Genova labs) Support adrenals with vitamins and minerals

Magnesium

B5

B Complex

C

E

Sometimes also potassium

You might need to reduce/stop thyroid meds x 2/52 whilst simultaneously starting adrenal support and then re start thyroid meds.

If adrenals very out of sync may need DHEA max 25mgs for women look at how to use this beforehand.

Also cortisol in physiological doses not large doses used by GPS so you need GP to prescribe but need someone who understands physiological doses to guide you. Only do this after testing says you need it.

Or you could take pregnenolone which is the precursor to both DHEA and cortisol. Available as supplement.

Best of luck.

[Lora7again]

I have never heard of this been given to someone with hypothyroid because it can make some of your levels lower that is why it is given to people with hyperthroid. I was given it when I was hyper but I did not take it because I know you have to wean yourself off it. Another thing I thought people with hypothyroid should not take any antidepressants because that can also affect your levels. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will comment about this.

[nicnac03 in reply to Lora7again]

Thank you. The doctor said it was beta blocker rather than an anti depressant. I have to go back again next week so I will double check

[Lora7again in reply to nicnac03]

It is used for both here is a link about it

nhs.uk/medicines/propranolol/

[greygoose in reply to Lora7again]

Where does it say it's used as an antidepressant?

[Lora7again in reply to greygoose]

My GP gave it to my husband when he was depressed and he ended up in hospital because he is a runner and has a very low heart rate. Does that answer your question gg?

[greygoose in reply to Lora7again]

Absolutely not. It obviously didn't work for your husband or he wouldn't have ended up in hospital. But, did the doctor actually say he was giving him a beta blocker because he was depressed? Or did he find a problem with his heart/blood pressure at the same time?

Also, just because one doctor does it, doesn't mean it's something that's often done. Your GP could have been wrong.

[Lora7again in reply to greygoose]

greygoose I don't want an argument but a lot of people are given this drug for anxiety. I have come across it a lot when I worked in a hospital pharmacy.

[greygoose in reply to Lora7again]

Anxiety is not the same as depression. You said it was used as an anti-depressant. I don't want an argument, either, but a lot of what you say is misleading.

[Lora7again in reply to greygoose]

My husband was depressed and anxious .... I am not being misleading ... are you a moderator now?? I don't come on here for you to be on my back all the time!

[greygoose in reply to Lora7again]

I don't come on here for you to be on my back all the time!

I could say the same thing. Fact remains, beta blockers are not antidepressants.

[Lora7again in reply to greygoose]

This is interesting

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/214...

[greygoose]

Propranolol is prescribed to people with hyperthyroidism due the heart symptoms they experience - racing heart, etc. It is not prescribed to treat the hyperthyroidism itself.

That said, it might have a slight effect on conversion of T4 to T3, so you do need to keep an eye on hormone levels.

My personal opinion is that your doctor is wrong to prescribe propranolol for anxiety, even though it is often used for that. (Not the same as an antidepressant.) Your anxiety is probably due to you being under-medicated for your thyroid. When did you last have your thyroid levels tested? How much levo are you taking?

If you do take the propranolol, make sure to take it well away from your thyroid hormone - at least four hours.

[nicnac03 in reply to greygoose]

I last had TSH tested in August - it was 3.92 (range is 0.35-4.94) and T4 in December’18 - it was 12 (range is 9-20).

I have actually woken up with tonsillitis this morning (first time in my entire life!) so just trying to deal with this pain at the moment.

[greygoose in reply to nicnac03]

Are you taking levo? If so, you are under-medicated. TSH should be 1 or under. That test was a long time ago. Sounds like it's time for a new one.

Hope the tonsillitis clears up soon.

[Angel_of_the_North]

It might make you more hypo and, if you have asthma, it may get worse

[nicnac03 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you. Luckily I don’t have asthma.

[humanbean]

I went to to the doctors about my anxiety and he’s prescribed me propranolol.

This is typical 21st century medicine in the UK. Patient describes a symptom, doctor doesn't investigate and doesn't care what causes that symptom, and just prescribes a pill (Edit : or blames the patient's mental health), which might or might not help the symptom and may cause new symptoms as side effects.

Are you still taking Levothyroxine? If yes, what dose are you taking? Do you have any recent blood test results and reference ranges for thyroid and nutrients, or a more recent Full Blood Count?

I notice from the results you posted a couple of years ago that your vitamin B12 was low in range and your vitamin D was deficient. Did you ever manage to improve these? Were you ever retested? Have you ever had folate and iron/ferritin tested?

In order to help you we need more information, particularly recent information.

This may be a personal thing, but low nutrients can cause anxiety. In my own case I am badly affected by low iron and ferritin - being low gives me terrible anxiety. I now monitor and supplement my own iron and I am no longer anxious.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

Sorry, I hadn't read your previous replies, and I see you've answered some of my questions in your reply to greygoose

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi there, I too was prescribed propranolol for anxiety / fast heart rate but I felt worse not better after taking it. I do feel better on a higher Levo dosage, being gluten free & with more optimal vitamin levels.,Taking magnesium definitely makes me feel more relaxed. I’ve also taken to following mindfulness CDs (I like Mark Williams/ Danny Penman) & doing a few Pilates classes.

In the past, I’ve spent hours with a psychotherapist working through my anxiety....only to have a eureka moment when joining this forum that the anxiety was a hypo symptom & would lesson if I tested privately & followed forum members advice on medication & vitamins.

Best wishes to you!