Propranolol and omeprazole interfering with con... - Thyroid UK

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Propranolol and omeprazole interfering with conversion of T4 to T3.

sobs1962 profile image
10 Replies

Does anyone know how much Propranolol or Omeprazole interferes with T4 to T3. I am on 20mg omeprazole and 160mg of Propranolol (prolonged release). I take these when I get up and don't take my levothyroxine until late at night.

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sobs1962
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Omeprazole doesn't interfere with conversion. It interferes with absorption, and will do at any dose, given that you more than likely have low stomach acid to begin with, not high.

I can't answer about propranolol, but probably any amount.

waveylines profile image
waveylines

Propanolol is known to lower the conversion of T4 to T3. 160mg of Propanolol is what they use to counteract symptoms of HYPERthryroidism. I was once put one the exact same thing, slow realease and same dose. Made me exceedingly ill. I suffer with HyPOthyroidism......so it messed up my meds and ability to utilise the thyroid hormones.

How long have you been on it?

sobs1962 profile image
sobs1962 in reply towaveylines

I think I've been on it for about 5 months and previously I was off it completely and before that I was taking 40mg twice daily and he put me on this dose because my anxiety was so bad,if there was something else I could take that was more natural that didn't cost a fortune but did the job I would definitely consider it. I have looked at a supplement called Ashwaganda.u

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply tosobs1962

I dont know how long you have had anxiety but have you thought that it might be related to your hypothyroidism? It can affect mental health. In which case what the proponol does to the thyroid hormones will worsen or perpetuate matters.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Propranolol significantly affects conversion and uptake of levothyroxine

You can NOT just stop taking propranolol...it has to be reduced very very slowly

I was stuck on 40mcg propranolol for almost 20 years....more in my profile

Omeprazole is a PPI used to treat high stomach acid. Vast majority of hypothyroid patients have LOW stomach acid.....same symptoms very different treatment

Any PPI will lower vitamin absorption....especially B12 and magnesium

Propranolol also lowers magnesium

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

Links about low stomach acid and hypothyroidism

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Marz profile image
Marz

PPI's are intended as a short course only ...

Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I am surprised you are on Propranolol because they usually give it to people with hyperthyroid to slow down their heart rate. I decided against taking it when I was very hyper because of that reason.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/propra...

sobs1962 profile image
sobs1962

My problem is that my GP reduced my omeprazole to 10mg to be taken alternate days but I was having a lot of pain in my stomach region to the point where I was up during the night for hours because of the pain and the reason I was prescribed it in the first place was because I was drinking heavily at the time as my daughter had died in 2007,but I feel like I need it as I cannot cope with that pain especially during the night. Perhaps I already have gastritis,which would explain the pain. As far as Propranolol is concerned I want to come off it but I believe the only alternative is an anti-psychotic and I have used quetiapine just once and had a bad reaction to it. If you know of something else I can take that does the job without all the side effects I would be interested to know about it and hope that my GP will listen to me. The most frustrating thing is that doctors tend not to listen as they believe that patients know nothing. Just had a thought,I was on an anti-spasmodic for my IBS until 5 months ago and wonder if stopping that has affected my stomach.

sobs1962 profile image
sobs1962

I'm supposedly taking it for anxiety,to prevent heart palpitations.

waveylines profile image
waveylines

But it maybe your anxiety & palpitations are caused by your thyroid hormones not being optimal, and the proponlol will have made this far worse. You would need to reduce under medical supervision - to be honest being on a slow rease form of it will take 6 weeks to leave your system. I know this because thats exactly what I was put on! Ultimately this drug will make tou feel worse not better so you definately need to see your doctor about it.

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