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What Causes Dizziness And Excessive Thirst While On Propranolol?

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Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016
Question: the last 2 weeks ive been feeling very faint/light headed today i was getting ecg and bloods and fainted during bloodtest which has never been and issue for me before i am very thirsty all the time as well i am also taking 160mg propanolol for essential tremor the last 5 years could these tablets be causing the fainting
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that your situation could be related to different causes.

I would like to know your actual blood pressure and heart rate values.

If your blood pressure or heart rate is low, this could be related to propranolol intake.
But, I don't think so, because you have been using propranolol for 5 years without any of these symptoms.

A metabolic disorder could be related to this symptomatology.Dehydration could lead to low blood pressure and fainting.

I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a resting ECG
- blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests) to exclude possible disorders like chronic anemia, thyroid imbalance, electrolyte imbalances, etc.
- a Head up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance which could explain your symptoms.

Meanwhile, I recommend you to closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure values (in sitting and standing up position) and refer them to your doctor.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (7 minutes later)
blood pressure was 123/80 not sure about the ecg but i have been monitirng at home resting and is always around 60bpm, i did become unwell aeound this time last year very weak and lost 3stone in 4months full blood count was done and nothing abnormal i have since gained the weight back on since just feeling faint now, is there any way to resolve deyhdration i am constantly drinking water but urinating a lot too cant get fed rid of dry mouth and have a lot of night sweats,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information.

I would exclude propranolol as the cause of your symptoms. A metabolic disorder or a hormonal imbalance could be the cause of your persistent dehydration.

Besides, dehydration can lead to fainting and dizziness.

I recommend performing thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose levels, blood electrolytes, blood osmolarity, urine analysis including urine osmolarity and plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels, to exclude possible disorders related to this hormone. This hormone could be responsible for poor urine concentration and the thirst feeling.

If all these tests result normal, you should consider anxiety too as a possible cause of your symptoms.

Meanwhile, I recommend taking a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness And Excessive Thirst While On Propranolol?

Brief Answer: I would recommend as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that your situation could be related to different causes. I would like to know your actual blood pressure and heart rate values. If your blood pressure or heart rate is low, this could be related to propranolol intake. But, I don't think so, because you have been using propranolol for 5 years without any of these symptoms. A metabolic disorder could be related to this symptomatology.Dehydration could lead to low blood pressure and fainting. I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests: - a resting ECG - blood lab tests (complete blood count, thyroid hormone levels, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, kidney and liver function tests) to exclude possible disorders like chronic anemia, thyroid imbalance, electrolyte imbalances, etc. - a Head up Tilt test to exclude possible orthostatic intolerance which could explain your symptoms. Meanwhile, I recommend you to closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure values (in sitting and standing up position) and refer them to your doctor. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri