[npatterson]

#1067780

I know the results of being on anti-thyroid medication can be much quicker than anything else, but I don’t think one day is enough, and I don’t think eight weeks is the outer limit. What did your doctor say when you called? I realize this isn’t much help, but if your labs are that much off, it sounds like it needs much closer moitoring by your doctor.

Take care,

[blakekr]

#1018908

My dr. wants to lower my dose dramatically since my FT4 has gotten way too low on the methi after 8 weeks. So I’m trying to change to a maintenance dose of 10 mg per day instead of the 30 mg/day I was taking. The problem is, my heart rate and blood pressure is shooting up right away as a result, seems to happen literally within a day or two of trying to go on the lower dose. Isn’t it supposed to be 6-8 weeks before the results of an altered methi dose kick in?? Anyone know why I am reacting like this?

[blakekr]

#1067781

He does not have much info on what my subjective experience should be like, weaning off methimazole. I think I may actually be his only graves patient and he seems uncertain of how to treat me. He wants me to go see an endo ASAP. ” title=”Smile” /> Endo is booked til December.

Anyhow, my best bet seems to be seeing how other people have weaned to a low dose and how fast they were told to do it, or what worked best. I have to admit now that trying to do over a period of days isn’t working for me.

[Bobbi]

#1067782

Your labs may lag a bit after changing the dose of methimazole. Especially the TSH level is a "running average" which means it is somewhat slow to show changes in thyroid levels. But elevated heart rate, etc., could start more quickly. A pharmacist might be able to give y ou an idea of how long the drug is biologically active in the body. For PTU (which is the ATD I was on) it was a question of hours. Methimazole has a longer span, I believe. But your pharmacist may be able to tell you for sure. If you have heart rate symptoms you should tell your endo.

[Kimberly]

#1067783

Hello – One issue you might discuss with your doctor is whether you might benefit from an additional drug called a beta blocker, which could potentially help your elevated heart rate.

Also, can your doctor pull any strings to get you into the endo sooner? Sometimes spots seem to miraculously open up when it is a doctor’s office calling versus an individual patient. ” title=”Wink” /> If that doesn’t work, maybe you can get on a waiting list so the endo’s office can call you if they have a cancellation. It’s worth a try!

I actually felt like *crap* when my FT4 got to the bottom of the range, so I was really happy to have my dose reduced! You will find, though, that everyone’s journey with Graves is a little different.

Best of luck!

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