HCM, BB's and sugar

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Has anybody noticed a relation between betablockers and sugar (or having a taste for it, feeling weak without sweets, thirst etc.)? BB's can make your body less sensitive to insulin, effectively causing an artificial diabetes or sort of. At least i seem to need lots of water and sweets to keep running (but i may have always had a sweet taste, if it weren't for the dentist :oops: ). Sometimes a wonder if i'm actually starting on type 2 diabetis, oh well, after my heart comes my oesofaghus, next my insulin, what's next (my parents should really have bought the extended warranty, DUH! :D )

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[Pam Alexson]

I have never thought too much about this . I was diagnosed with hyperinsulimia after starting beta blockers but, the endocrinologist believes I had it when I was very young.

The standard glycohemoblobin tests always showed normal for me. I suspected I had sugar for several of the same reasons you point out. I started testing my sugars several times a day and recording them. Took the results to my GP/cardiologist who , simply on my complaint of symptoms dismissed my theory. I then showed him my log. He said well if this is true then I will send you to an endocrinologist.

She did insulin level testing and found me to be 8 times the normal level and diagnosed me as insulin resistant. After working with me for a year she decied to try and preserve pancreatic function and get me on an oral anti-diabetic med. I take glucophage 500mgs 2 times daily. Until 1 year ago, my A-1 level was close to normal ( this is the averaging of blood sugar levels over a 30 day period- the cell has a memory and stores this info for about 30 days) , but gradually crept up. With recent weight loss it is coming back down again.. The endo feels strongly that I had this form of diabetis and basically in the general population it is missed because standard evals do not include insulin levels. Many people have normal A-1's for years before their pancreas goes caput!! Then they are in danger and often end up on insulin. It is the belief that if individuals are recognized and diagnosed earlier and then treated with oral meds. their pancreas may continue to produce insulin and and they may not need artificial insulin. Makes sense right? All she had to hear is that my babies weighed, 8lb's 6oz's, 9lb's 4oz's , 11lbs 1/2oz, to realize the test they did back then missed my diabetis. She says it happens to a huge amout of people.

So it was my insistance and suspicions that got me where I needed to be. My suggestion , if you think there is a problem discuss this with your doc, try to get a glucometer and check your BS's and see what happens.

Good luck,

Pam

[Aimee]

Funny you should ask!! I also had my BS creep up and my A-1c was normal. I am on 400 mg of BB.(200mg twice a day) It has been since my dose has been increased that my BS also went with it. Most MD do just dismiss it. There is such a thing as "The Metabolic Syndrome" This is with the blood sugar goes up , the A1c may remain normal or slightly increase, and the flip with triglycerides and cholesterol. It is more complicated than this and perhaps I can dig a little and get more on it. I just know when you get some weight off you can reverse this. Most of us put on a few pounds when the the BB go up in dosage as we don't have the energy to do what we did physically before. Most people who have gastric by-pass surgery or abd banding for weight lost have this syndrome.

[Laoshur]

I would love to have more info on the blood sugar and beta blocker connection as each time I get my blood tested, the sugar levels are climbing. Today I got results showing them to be in the prediabetes level.

Thanks,
Rhoda

[Aimee]

Here is some information on this:

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of abnormal findings related to the bodies metabolism. 1. increased body fat at the waist
2. increased triglycerides
3. increased BP
4. decreased HDL
5. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is the ability of insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas , to control the amt . of sugar in the blood. The sugar can't get into the cells to be used as energy. So when this is not processed you get type 2 diabetes
Symptoms are as the 5 items listed above. Research shows that this syndrome will put us at higher rick for CAD(coronary artery disease).
Risk factors: Age : 40% are age 60"s
Race: More noted in blcks and hispanics
Obesity: BMI >25 (body mass index)
Family History: Of Type 2 diabetes, or diabetes
with pregnancy.
Other: Increased BP, Heart and Blood vessel disease
polycystic ovary syndrome.
How is it Diagnosed??
If you have 3 or more of the risk factors.
Waist line > 40 in.( 101.6 cm) men
> 35 in. women (88.9 cm)
Triglycerides >149 mg/dl
HDL <40 men <50 women
BP >129/84
Fasting BS >109

Stands to reason most of us are on beta blockers so our BP is controlled and the other factors go unnoticed or no one makes the connection.Also we are more sedate and our activity levels for the HCM pt. is usually less. As we tolerate less activivty our weight , at the mid section increases and off we go ...toss that in with the any other risk factors and we are well into it!! Weight loss with increased activity is our best hope always with the MD advice. Or just don't put it on!! I have started to really count my calories since this all came into view and my lab values match this syndrome. I am down 9 pounds and know I need to keep going.

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Hmmm, enough reasons to put it at the table with my GP. As CM can also happen as a consequence of diabetes, i suspect even those with hereditary HCM and GP's and cardiologists involved in those cases may need to be very sharp with this as there could well be a mutual leverage in both diseases. Or short: as diabetes can cause CM, certainly HCM or medication induced diabetes won't improve conditions when having HCM :roll:

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[mark720]

yes i agree about a rise in sugar levels with beta blockers toprol xl to be exact i never had a problem now i am considered a borderline diabetic no one can anwser that question i always ask my docs when i see them they say its something else your lifestyle everything but the meds

[Sarah]

The prescribing info on betablockers is very clear: it can raise blood sugar and mask other signs of diabetes:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202087.html

[Cynaburst]

I have noticed that especially since I started taking Norpace with atenolol, that my blood sugar can drop really fast. I have to carry around food now so that I can eat a snack at the first sign of hunger, because if I don't, I feel lightheaded after a VERY short time. I also try to stay ahead of the curve, so I have oatmeal at 8, I have to eat a banana by 11:30 which will hold me until lunch at 1 or 1:30. Then I have another snack at around 4:00 or 4:30 that will hold me to dinner. If I try to wait until lunch with no snack, it is not pretty. I almost fainted in a seminar at work last week when I had no food until 12:15.