Hi guys
It's been about 2 months since I started taking propranolol in response to my recently diagnosed graves' hyperthyroidism and I was wondering if it's normal to still be dependent on them 2 months in?
My free t4 and free t3 levels have dropped a bit, but TSH markers haven't moved much.
Without beta blockers I still feel tense, tight and over exerted, but I don't want to be on them longer than I have to..
What's the general experience here?
Propranolol is used temporarily to help relieve symptoms such as palpitations but it would only have only an very mild affect on the FT4 to FT3 conversion. It’s only carbimazole which which reduce production of thyroid levels and ultimately resolve your symptoms.
I think what you’re describing about reliance on propranolol is pretty common. I was on a dose of 120mg a day. Then I was told to abrupt stop taking any after about two months later by hospital specialist. Some manage fine stopping but Ive since leaned it should be weaned down slowly. I went several weeks with a continuous migraine and eventually had to resume as advised by GP. I’ve very slowly weaned down by reducing the dose by a tiny fraction each week, now months later I still take 20mg per day & I know when I’m going to fast as I get the migraines back!
On the month following the weeks I’d stopped my blood test showed my FT3 did spike disproportionately, but the carbimazole dose was being adjusted too.
Thanks for sharing.
I mean, is there any reason why I can't remain on beta blockers (perhaps at a lesser dosage) until my numbers have marked improvements?
Until my numbers improve, why would the symptoms, right?
I'm still experiencing the accelerated heart rate, shoulder tightness/pain etc
My GP was quite happy to keep prescribing propranolol, even at original dose level. Your doctor might have a different opinion although It would be wrong to stop them while you feel it helps your symptoms. you might want to discuss the plan with your doctor & make sure you have plenty of time to slowly reduce it.
Propranolol does slow uptake and conversion of thyroid hormones
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168...
Also lowers magnesium and may lower parathyroid hormones. (Not good if vitamin D deficient)
labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
Drugs that may decrease PTH include cimetidine and propranolol.
Propranolol can be incredibly difficult to ween off. Last tiny dose especially difficult. Cutting down slowly from 10 to 5 to 2.5mg ......then stop once a week.....twice a week etc
I decided against taking Propanolol because you do have to wean yourself off it. The TSH always lags behind and it could take months to rise even if your T4 and T3 are in range.
Longer in my case! 2 years on my TSH has never made it into range, even with FT4 & FT3 under 50% & 30%.
Mine has never risen higher than 0.80 and it is now 0.38 and I feel ok. I think it stops working after it has been suppressed for a long time because I was left untreated for over 2 years. I did however have a TSH of 9 10 years ago because my Endo overdosed me on PTU and I felt dreadful. I prefer to be slightly hyper than underactive if I am being honest.
I don't think I'd be able to last months off propranolol if I'm honest. 😥
Definitely an issue for hypothyroid patients. Considered helpful for hyperthyroid. Personally I wish I wasn’t given it in first place. My symptoms were mild at diagnosis & probably would have managed without it. Now I can’t reduce without migraines.
Hypothyroidism and propranolol
Experimentation with propranolol 
propranolol and hypothyroid 
Propranolol and aches & pains
Is Propranolol Safe for Hypos. 
