High blood pressure and thyroid

[jjones2004]

Just curious to know if any of you take Ziac (beta blocker) for high blood pressure and have a thyroid disorder? I've recently been told that the beta blocker may cause thyroid problems and may alter my tests.

Thanks for your help!

[midwest1]

Which thyroid disease do you have?

The prescribing information given for Ziac says that if you have hyperthyroidism, you may not be able to take the drug. If you do, you will need more vigilant monitoring than someone without hyperT needs. Apparently, by making the heart beat more slowly, it masks the effects of high thyroid hormone levels. By inference, it would seem it could also mask the effect of too high a dose of medicine used for hypOthyroidism as well.

I have read articles by cardiologists who say beta blockers in general should be avoided by hypoT patients as well, since their hearts already tend to beat too slowly, and the beta blocker will exacerbate the effect.

[jjones2004]

Thanks for your reply. I've started to wonder if taking this drug could be my problem. My test results were:
TSH - 3.778
Total T4 - 9.4
Total T3 - 2.5
These tests results were done while taking 25 mg. Synthroid.

The doctor did not think it necessary to run the T-free tests that I requested or the antibodies. I'm not even sure I have a thyroid problem at this point because he dismissed it, discontinued my meds and dx fibromyalgia. I am very confused at this point!

I know that beta blockers can cause fatigue and I am extremely tired all the time. The only thing is my dose is so low. I divide a 5 mg tablet, so I'm only taking 2.5 mg a day. That's not much, but I could be sensitive to the drug. I am looking for answers!

Thanks again!

[midwest1]

Post the lab ranges for the T4 and T3, if you have them. Those values may be low, but I can't tell without the range.
Your TSH is way too high for someone who is taking thyroid hormone. A dose of .025 mg is considered to be a "non-dose". You are definitely undertreated, and the Ziac is making it feel worse. It's very probable that the hypoT is causing your blood pressure to be high, so if you would be properly dosed with thyroid med, the BP may drop on its own.

That doctor doesn't seem willing to acknowledge that he doesn't know what he's doing. You may have to fire him and find someone who knows something about thyroid.

Let me know if I can help more.

[jjones2004]

Thanks! Here are the ranges for the Totals:
Total T3 - 2.5 (Range 0.6-1.8)
Total T4 - 9.4 (Range 6.5-10.5)
TSH - 3.778

I really appreciate your help!