Beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs and thyroid hormones in hyperthyroid subjects

Serum thyroid hormone concentrations were measured before and during 10 days' treatment with atenolol (200 mg/day), acebutolol (400 mg/day), oxprenolol (160 mg/day) and propranolol (160 mg/day) in 24 hyperthyroid patients. During propranolol treatment serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations fell significantly (P less than 0.05) but there was no change in thyroid hormone concentrations in the other groups although all patients reported a symptomatic improvement.