[Westcoastmetalfan]

#1059038

Yeah had tests done in past few weeks, and told by my Doc I’m Hyperthyroid. They put me on Beta-blockers and I’m waiting for the T4 uptake test on Wed & Thurs before I start any meds,. I’m down to 150LBS and kinda stressing. The Doc & Specialist at the Thyroid clinic are theorizing Tapazole. I’m in my early 40’s..Can anyone give me the some info on Tapazole? Anyone taking it for Hyperthyroid? Will it help me put on some weight?

[Bobbi]

#1171707

Tapazole is an antithyroid drug (ATD) that acts as a chemical block to the production of thyroid hormone. Your doctors have to find the right dose of it to block just enough thyroid hormone production to make you “euthroid” (normal levels of thyroid). If you get too much of the drug it will make you hypothyroid; if you get too little, you will remain hyperthyroid. So it is a balancing act. And it will require dose changes from time to time.

The vast majority of the time, people tolerate the Tapazole well. There are some negative side effect possibilities (they happen rarely, but you should know about them), so discuss the drug with your pharmacist and your doctor.

And, yes, you should see weight gain once you are at controlled normal levels of thyroid hormone. When we are hyperthyroid we lose muscle mass, but once we get our levels back under control the muscles slowly returns. Maybe not all of it, but a good part of it. With that returning muscle we see weight gain.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

[adenure]

#1171709

Hi!

I hope all goes well for you. Like Bobbi said, there are rare side effects, but they are dangerous. I am NOT trying to steer you away from Tapazole (methimazole), but please ask your doctor to do liver function testing along with the thyroid testing for your labs. I was on methimazole (5 mg. daily- a very low dose) for 7 weeks and it did wonders for my thyroid- I was in normal range! However, it started damaging my liver and sent my liver enzymes into the 200 & 300 ranges (normal is around 25 and 46- which I was before starting the drug). I didn’t have any side effects from the abnormal liver enzymes- my pee was normal, I didn’t get a fever or sore throat and I felt fine. So, if I hadn’t had the enzyme testing, I wouldn’t have known and would have kept on taking the medicine. I stopped Friday, so today I go in to check to see if my liver is returning to normal- I’m hoping so. Next step for me is RAI or surgery- we’ll see- I call my doctor today.

Alexis

[snelsen]

#1171710

I took Tapazole, no issues at all. My endo did LFT (liver function tests) along with the thyroid panels when I was on the drug. I subsequently chose a thyroidectomy, which was the right choice for me.
Shirley

[adenure]

#1171711

Yes, the liver issues are rare (5% I believe), but if you’re the 5%, you definitely want to know 😮 I’ve heard that some doctors don’t order the liver tests as they tend to rely on the patient showing symptoms of liver issues instead. So, if your doctor doesn’t order those tests, do request them.

Alexis

[snelsen]

#1171712

My information has been that it is 1% or less (elevated liver enzymes with antithyroid drugs.) And having elevated LFTs (liver function tests) is an indication not a screaming statement that you are in serious trouble. Generally, when the drug is discontinued or changed, the labs become normal. There are a ton of other drugs where this is a possible complication, including some anti seizure drugs, which my granddaughter takes. She has these labs every now and then. Agree with Alexis that they should be checked (as mine were 50 years ago, so this is not new information!) A good topic to discuss with your endo. and understand thoroughly, which i am sure you are planning to do, if you have further questions.
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1171713

Hello – Just to add to Shirley’s comments, serious liver issues on ATDs (deaths or transplants) have averaged less than one person per year since the FDA started tracking “adverse events” in the 1960s, and the vast majority of these severe complications were associated with PTU, not methimazole/Tapazole.

This is definitely an issue that patients on ATDs should be aware of, but the overall likelihood of severe complications is quite low.

[Westcoastmetalfan]

#1171714

Thank-you all for your input and feedback. That is all very helpful. I did part of my T4 uptake today and blood test and tomorrow get the scan and results. This forum is awesome and a wealth of information. Again thank-you all.

[Author]

Posts