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Adrenergic Blockade A New Approach to Hyperthyroidism During Pregnancy

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Harrison S. Martland Hospital, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.

Abstract

Four thyrotoxic gravid patients were given long-term therapy with propranolol, a beta adrenergic blocking agent. In all 4 patients there were excellent relief of symptoms and no demonstrable adverse effects. This method of therapy offers potential advantages over surgery, with its attendant morbidity and mortality, and over the use of the thiourea drugs which may cause fetal goiter. Since propranolol does not affect the thyroid directly, but only blocks some peripheral effects of thyroid hormone, it offers considerable advantages as an initial therapy while awaiting laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, or in achieving rapid relief in severely symptomatic patients.