[StacyA]

#1059510

Im very concerned about liver levels. The dr wants to test me again in 6-8 weeks for thyroid (says before that wont show enough of an effect) and will concurrently run liver levels. I think thats too long, because I want to monitor liver function. When do you all get tested, how long after a medication addition/change? I am scared, I hate medications.

(My FT4 increased from 1.7 last month, to 2.54, with 1.85 being the top of the scale… so shes treating now even though not all the bloodwork is back yet, including the antibody thats indicative of graves )

I am glad to be on the low dose, I really really hope it works at this low a dose. Anyone have success on this low a dose? Im not a huge person, but my levels are getting worse so I wonder if theyll be hard to treat.

[vanillasky]

#1175251

I have the same concerns. I just started this pill yesterday.

He told me to go for bloodwork in 4 weeks.

My concern: weight gain? I don’t want to get fat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going through menopause and even though I have Graves’, I have already gained 3 pounds and am constantly battling the scale.

The is upsetting to me because I surely don’t want to go hyp0 and get fatter!

Please help with any information!

[Talley]

#1175252

Hello;
When I started on Tapazole, my doctor was concerned about my liver since I was showing involvement prior to starting meds. She tested my liver function once a week for three weeks to be certain the Tapazole wasn’t making it worse…it actually got better, my endo said it was probably the Graves causing the problems with the liver function.

I don’t believe they normally test your liver if there is no problem starting out on the meds until they do the 5 week bloodwork…but I might be wrong.

I started on 5 mg/day – I prefer to start with a low dose and increase if needed rather than start high and possibly have issues. I am also worried about weight gain – I have gained 5 lb back that I lost prior to starting meds…not happy.

Anyway, the low dose is helping – it may go a bit slower (I started around 7 weeks ago). My endo thinks that I may be down to 2.5 mg/day in January or February if my numbers continue to improve.

Good luck:)

[Carito71]

#1175253

Hello StacyA and vanillasky,

I started Methimazole at 30mg/day. My Dr. runs labs every 4 weeks. I’m now down to 2.5mg/day. I’ve been on treatment for 5 months. I’ve heard that some Drs. like to test every 6 weeks. I think it ranges from 4-6 weeks depending on the Dr. and the pt’s symptoms.

At the beginning I had elevated liver enzymes. Being hyperthyroid can cause elevated liver enzymes. Mine therefore were elevated before starting the Methimazole. I was given the Rx anyway since the levels were not 3 times more than normal. As my thyroid levels got lower, my liver enzymes decreased until they got to the normal range. I was told to look for stomach pain, especially right upper quadrant b/c that can be related to liver problems. Also, very light color stool, and rash. If you experience any of these, call your Dr. White blood cell can also be affected so that is something your Dr. will be testing as well. A fever would be a symptom for that.

As for the weight gain, I did gain weight but it was the weight that I had lost when I was very hyperthyroid so it was welcomed weight. I watch my calories and try to eat healthy so I have been able to maintain my weight even though I still haven’t become euthyroid and have fluctuated between hyper and hypo. If you can exercise, I recommend doing so. Your Dr. will have to clear you for that though because when we are hyperthyroid exercise is not always a good idea. Talk to your Dr. about it. Mine has given me the ok to exercise so I go for long walks.

I wish you both an easy recovery.

Caro

[Kimberly]

#1175254

Hi all – A couple of notes…

Weight issues: some patients do struggle with weight gain post-treatment, while others have no issues at all. This thread has some additional info:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/forum/topic/39233/

The standard procedure in regards to liver issues is to run a baseline test first, as Caro described. That way, subsequent testing will give you a better idea of whether liver enzymes were already elevated due to hyperthyroidism, or whether the meds could have possibly had an impact. The signs and symptoms that Caro mentioned are good to watch out for.

Take care!

[StacyA]

#1175255

Hey, I am also in upstate ny! where are you located?? Have same concerns as you, as I lost 20 lbs in last 3 months.

vanillasky wrote:

I have the same concerns. I just started this pill yesterday.

He told me to go for bloodwork in 4 weeks.

My concern: weight gain? I don’t want to get fat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going through menopause and even though I have Graves’, I have already gained 3 pounds and am constantly battling the scale.

The is upsetting to me because I surely don’t want to go hyp0 and get fatter!

Please help with any information!

[StacyA]

#1175256

Thanks guys. They tested my liver enzymes twice in past month and they were okay so far… I really want them to stay that way. So you all think 6 weeks is an okay time frame to retest??

[amosmcd]

#1175257

Hi, Stacy–

I was started on 10mg as well and retested after 6 weeks. It really knocked by thyroid levels down in that short time to almost normal. I just seem to respond quickly to thyroid meds, either Levothyroxine or Methimazole. After my dose was cut in half and I was feeling bad, I had my labs retested early and found Im now hypo.

My doc did a liver function test at my request at the 6 week mark. Never had any issues with my liver.

Hope this helps.

Amy

[mmcnally]

#1175258

Hi all,

I am also in Upstate NY, that makes THREE of us (Albany). I was diagnosed with GD in March. I had lost 25 pounds in a month and was a physical and emotional mess. I started out with 20mg of Methimazole, then dropped to 10, and now I am on 5. I am waiting for a call-back because I think 5 is too much now, so I need to get in for another blood test. I am DRAGGING all the time and the weight just keeps piling on. I’ve gained the 25 back and an additional 10ish.

On top of that, my long red hair is falling out. I have lost somewhere between 1/3 to 1/2 of my hair in the past few months. I have heard that biotin is a good supplement for the hair issue, but I won’t start until I can talk to my endo again.

[Rosetoes]

#1175259

When I started Methimzole, I started at 10mg and after several months, it was increased to 15mg. Most recently (2 months ago) I increased to 20mg per day. I had labs done yesterday and I am now hypo thyroid. So now Im back at the 15mg dosage with labs in 6 weeks. As much as I didn’t like being in a hyper state, it is better than the hypo state….constipated, tired, sleep alot, no energy.

I can say that I have been on weight watchers for 10 weeks now and I have loss 24 pounds. So even though I have been on a rollercoaster between hypo and hyper, I am able to lose weight.

From everything that I have read, everyones body is different and what works for one may not work for another. The good thing is that the methimzole has not effected my liver. Also when I started the Methimzole I also started Inderal for the fast heart rate. It also relaxes and has a calming agent. I kinda didn’t want to get off of that, the combination of the two were fantastic. I am not one to take meds unless necessary but it really helped with the Graves.

[StacyA]

#1175260

Thanks everyone. I am about to take the pill. I am so worried about the baby, too.

I do NOT want to effect my baby. I have read and read and the studies show no changes in baby’s thyroid in all the studies, but methimazole USED to be a nono until they did these studies, so most of what you find on internet still says to use PTU instead. However, newer info shows PTU to be harder on moms liver. Aieeee….

Lotsa upstate nyers! I am near Kingston/Poughkeepsie.

[Author]

Posts