Beta Blockers and Hypothyroidism

[charchar51]

I also had my thyroid removed 2 yrs ago, making me Hypothryodism. Battling the effects of this everyday has now be compounded by the addition of a Beta Blocker.  I ve been prescribed Propranolol 40 mg 3x a day for hand tremors.  Since the surgery I gained almost 20 lbs, now that I m on Propranolol...I ve gained an additional 10 lbs in 2 month.
I"m at my wits end, 5ft & now 185 lbs.   Although the Propranolol has helped my tremors, I cannot afford this weight gain.  I work hard & yet find it IMPOSSIBLE to loss weight.  I joined a Gym in January & work out 5 x a week.
It's a bootcamp & classes are grueling, I walk out soaking wet.  I am honestly working Hard & feel so defeated.
Does anyone have any advice?   I decided to stop the Beta Blocker.  I cannot afford the weight gain.  I'll just have to deal with the tremors & illegible hand writing :(

Appreciate any feedback..

[gimel]

If the doctor is adjusting your wife's meds based on TSH, then her levels will never be stable.  TSH is affected by too many things, including the time of day when blood was drawn.  When a thyroid patient is already taking thyroid meds, TSH is basically a useless test.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results,and especially not TSH results.

If you will post her thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, we will be glad to help assess the adequacy of her testing and treatment.  

[jimbo82]

My wife had her Thyroid removed last year. Her endocrinologist is still adjusting her medication. She's on Armour thyroid (60 mcg) and levothyroxine 100 mcg.) She is easily agitated. Her Doctor doesn't see her but once every 2 months to check her levels. At her last appointment he said "Wow, your levels are every where", he did not explain anything...my fault for not making him!

[goolarra]

I agree.  Insist on FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH.  Hopefully, your endo won't have to be strong armed to do these tests.  Let us know what your endo has to say, and if you need any help interpreting test results, we'll be here.

[Guppy70]

It could be that your Free T3 level isn't optimal, especial if you're on only levothyroxine.
I know how you feel, I've gained a lot of weight too. I just checked my own levels last month, including the FT3 since my endo only wants to test the TSH and FT4. I'm within the reference range but almost at the bottom (2,5 and the lowest is 2,3)  And I'm only on levothyroxine as well so I kind of suspect I don't covert very well or my levothyroxine dose needs to be raised.

I have an appointment with my endo in a few weeks so I will bring this up and ask to do whatever it takes to raise my FT3 levels, since that's the unbound thyroid hormone that gets used by the cells and corresponds best with symptoms and wellbeing.

I'm very tired too of being fat and tired, borderline depressed due to feeling like a lazy loser. I called my endos MA and left a message asking to include FT3 in my next upcoming thyroid panel and I got a call back saying I can have that tested too this time (yay). I will also bring in my own thyroid panel to show.

You should tell your endo everything you wrote here and also ask (demand, lol) to have a full thyroid panel done, not just TSH. Remember, the FT3 is very important. And also that our optimal levels are very individual and might not correspond to the labs ranges. I've learned that the FT4 should be around 50% of the range and the FT3 around 75% in order to be relieved of symptoms and to be able to lose weight, grow hair, have energy etc.

Good luck and don't give up.

[charchar51]

My error, TSH was 1.15.

I'm currently being treated for Hypothyoidism post surgical TT.

I currently take 125 mcg Levothyroxine
Vit D 50000 units once a week
WAS taking 40 mg Propranolol 3x daily...but I stopped it.

I personally take Multi Vitamin & Isotonix Calcium & Vitamin B
I also take Full Liquid Droplet of Turmeric daily - (I read it helps with joint pain)  My joints physically ache...all the time.

I made an appt with Endo for 7/20  I just want to be prepared when I go see him.  This weight gain is depressing me.  I don't overeat & workout all the time.  I feel fat & exhausted.

[goolarra]

Your TSH was 115, or 1.15?  If T3 and T4 aren't on the report, it's probably because they weren't tested.  Many doctors think that TSH is all that's important.  However, it's a pituitary hormone and subject to influence by many factors.  Once on meds, testing FT3 and FT4 every time blood is drawn is essential.

What are you taking for meds, and at what dose?

You do sound like you are undermedicated.

[charchar51]

Thanks for your reply.
My last TSH bloodwork was 115 with range of 0.30-5.00 uIU/ml
I don't know why, but it doesn't list T3 & T4.

As far are Symptoms, I constantly fight fatigue.  Joint soreness & Puffy face...but I attribute that to working out & then the added weight gain.
I'm not one to make excuses.  It's just so hard & feel depressed.
I've been killing myself since January & have not lost 1 ounce of weight.
I feel like if I lived on water, I'd still not lose.
Very depressing.

[goolarra]

It sounds like your meds are not properly adjusted.  I don't think it's the beta blocker that's the problem.  Also, if your meds are adjusted properly, you shouldn't be having hand tremors.  So, please post your most recent thyroid labs and include reference ranges (they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report).  Are weight gain and tremors your only symptoms?