I am 66, 5'2" and 155lbs. I developed a fib 2 years ago (now regulated) and was put on an older beta blocker plus I have high blood pressure for which I am now on the 5th different med ...I take 0.137 mg synthroid daily for 30 years, strength has varied over the years from 0.075 to as high as 0.2mg...my tsh, which is the only measurement my physician will consider, is usually 2.5 or thereabouts...in the last few months my hypothyroid symptoms have increased and on the last lab my tsh was very high, over 8 so I know my thyroid level is very low...I am very fatigued, depressed and most upsetting am eating less and getting fatter, where before I was overweight but firm and now I can feel fat in my thighs and upper arms plus around my abdomin which I never had before. Research shows the older type of beta blocker, atenolol, can slow metabolism and cause insulin resistance, (I am not diabetic) is it safe to simply stop one beta blocker and start another...in fact, I'd like to get off it altogether but the last time my physician said to just stop taking it, I developed pvc's which was corrected by increasing the atenolol. I am distressed about the side effects of this drug and wld like to take something less toxic.