Q:

Why is the role of beta blockers in the management of thyrotoxicosis?

waelhammad
Save to bookmark
|
2022-11-18
|
  100 
0

A 30-year-old woman presents with complaints of palpitations, tremulousness and weight loss of around 4 kg (despite a good appetite) over the last 2 months. On examination, she is anxious, has a pulse rate of 100/min, warm and moist peripheries, fine tremors of the outstretched hands and a visible goiter. No obvious abnormalities in the eyes. Her last menstrual period was 15 days ago. Her primary care physician orders for laboratory examination which reveals normal hemogram with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 25 mm in the first hour. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) <0.001 mIU/L and total T4 28 mg/dL. A diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis is made. She is started on beta-blockers and she is asked to get a technetium uptake scan and review.

Why is the role of beta blockers in the management of thyrotoxicosis?

Medicine, textbook solutions, Medicine textbook-solutions,
login and add your own answer to this question

All Answers

waelhammad
2022-11-18
need an explanation for this answer? contact us directly to get an explanation for this answer

Beta-adrenergic blockade should be considered in all patients with symptomatic thyrotoxicosis. Treatment with beta blockers leads to a decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, muscle weakness, and tremor, as well as improvement in the degree of irritability, emotional lability, and exercise intolerance. Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker most used in thyrotoxicosis, usually in the doses of 10–40 mg qid to tid. At high doses, it may reduce T4 to T3 conversion. Other beta blockers used are atenolol and metoprolol. Caution should be exercised in patients with bronchospasm before starting beta blockers. Calcium-channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem can be used in patients in whom beta blockers are contraindicated.

need an explanation for this answer? contact us directly to get an explanation for this answer

total answers (1)

Similar questions

need a help?

find thousands of online teachers now