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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Need help about Atenolol please!
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Need help about Atenolol please!
by Modularman, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
Ive taken atenolol for 10 years for high blood pressure and fat heartrate, pvc's maybe. I was recently told I have multi-nodule goiter and have been on 20mg methimezole a day for about three weeks. My atenolol dose for a long time was 100mg a day then when this happened it got bumped up to 125mg. Now my heart rate has settled down to the 60's and my next atenolol is due. Even at 25 mg am/25pm its still in the 50's at rest and 60's otherwise. My endo says stop the atenolol. My internist says keep taking it and dont worry about your heart rate. My intenist is upset because I spoke to the endo about it in the first place. I dont know what to do now. It makes me nervous to have that low of a heartrate but I dont know if should just stop the atenolol. My blood pressure is not bad at times but on the high side. Sorry about the length. I dont know what else to tell you. Could I have had bad thyroid all this time while taking atenolol. Why is it so low now? Please.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 24, 2007 12:00AM
Atenolol (a beta-blocker) can be useful to minimize cardiac over-stimulation of hyperthyroidism. But you were on the med long before the thyroid became a problem. I cannot give specific advice, but in general I allow the internist to make these decisions if the patient was already on a beta blocker before coming in for thyroid eval. The keys to watch are heart rate and blood pressure - and adjust the atenolol accordingly ---- beta blockers cannot be stopped abruptly.
