AdultsAt first, 15 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day, given in 3 divided doses about every 8 hours. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. The med does not cuase the gain, it's the correction of the artificially high metabolism caused by the hyperthyroidism. It means that it is entirely possible that taking methimazole may block the normal thyroid function in the body and lead to weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. treatment may involve taking antithyroid medication such as carbimazole or methimazole or undergoing surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Overshooting can occur when patients put on too much weight, leading to unwanted excess body weight. People with hypothyroidism may feel sluggish, tired, or depressed. Reconsider the whey: Whey protein causes insulin spikes that could keep you up as well, says Kleiner. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. WebTake the missed dose as soon as you remember it. When there is too little thyroid hormone, its called underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. These three factors are important in understanding how methimazole can lead to weight gain in certain people. All suspected cases are reported to the Department of Health (or local agency) who will be handling it accordingly. Seafood, dairy products, and eggs are the best sources of iodine. Patients should therefore avoid overeating and consuming fattening foods to avoid excessive weight gain. Consult your physician before starting to restrict calories. A Community for those living with and dealing with Graves' Disease. How can you actually gain weight if you have hyperthyroidism, isnt hyperthyroidism supposed to cause weight loss? We will continue to work together to ensure the safety of our patients and team members and adhere to any new regulatory changes as they come. I currently hover between 115-120lbs and working to lose another 10lbs of fat. This is not a cause for concern. Fiber aids in digestion promotes rapid detoxification and ensures that your body gets rid of waste in a timely manner. so I feel you! Because of the way that thyroid function is naturally regulated by the body, it is much more difficult to try and normalize thyroid function with thyroid hormone replacement medication. The timing of your meals can have a significant impact on how fast your body burns fat and revs up its metabolism. If you need surgery, tell your surgeon or anesthetist that you are taking this medicine before any surgery is planned. However, most patients experienced some degree of weight change for more than 24 months after therapy. Seafood, dairy products, and eggs are the best I lost 8 kg while my thyroid was in overdrive and then I gained seven Kilogramms due to slight overmedication. Theres also another very important point to consider: Doctors would prefer patients to be HYPOthyroid over being HYPERthyroid due to the side effects of hyperthyroidism. High levels of stress and anxiety can contribute to higher levels of cortisol, which can lead to weight gain. This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). In people with hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Center your nutrition around natural unprocessed foods. Methimazole is dose-dependent and acts differently in each person. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Learn which foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease of any type. Hey! Once I started taking methimazole, I noticed that I was not as voracious any more (omg, I was so hungry all of the time before methimazole! It works by making it harder for the body to make thyroid hormone. Before I was diagnosed, I was 5'5 1/2 and at 140 lbs. I was just diagnosed with graves disease today and was given a prescription for Methimazole which is going to be 20mg a day. My second Endocrinologist started me slowly with the methimazole to help prevent weight gain, but by then I was not in a critical condition anymore with my heart rate being in the low to normal range. Average gain is about 15-20 pounds no matter how hyper Sometimes this can even happen despite increased appetite. Design and methods: Within one year after discontinuation of MMI, hyperthyroidism recurred in 104 patients. Your body, naturally, has many different feedback loops internal and external factors which regulate thyroid hormone activation and production very closely. #2. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. Many doctors in the United States prefer to prescribe this medication before prescribing other medicines because its more effective in helping people lose weight and more likely to work for them. WebObjective: To investigate the long-term effects of continuous methimazole (MMI) therapy. You can try practicing stress-reduction techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, and meditation. WebGain weight: Two things to do - 1: Please see a dietitian 2: Try and find time to see a trainer. At my worst I was on 80mg of methimazole a day. While health care providers are aware that weight gain can occur due to treatment, they rarely mention further weight gain to patients. Methimazole is not safe for pregnant women or children. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This can obviously be confusing for patients, but it doesnt have to be. Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. You should work with your doctor to determine your ideal weight through a healthy diet and exercise plan. To achieve weight loss or to prevent weight gain during menopause, stay active and eat a healthy diet. WebScore: 5/5 (68 votes) . Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times. Scoring a lot of fiber for thyroid patients is one of the most effective strategies to reduce weight. Learn more about methimazole, how it can cause weight gain, and how to lose weight if you have hyperthyroidism here: In order to understand how methimazole leads to weight gain (and yes, it can cause weight gain) we need to understand how it works in the body. And once you grasp the science, this makes perfect sense. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Gaining a pound of fat requires eating more than 3,500 calories above and beyond how many you burn. To treat hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland must be blocked. A thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition where body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure often rise to dangerous levels. Methimazole is a reason for the increasing weight of patients during hyperthyroidism treatment. Change the timings of your meals to enhance their nutritional value and decrease your weight. Ensuring proper and rigorous cleaning and sanitation of common surfaces, Requiring hourly sanitization of all staff and clients, Provision of additional sanitizing products to our clients and staff, Ongoing staff training to enhance cleaning and disinfecting procedures to maintain a healthy environment. Over-blocking thyroid hormone may actually take you from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism which may then trigger symptoms such as hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, constipation and so on. To record your weight, I would suggest weighing yourself once a week and keeping a chart (e.g. Never alter your dose without consulting with your physician first! Not really, at least not for every person. These medications act to block the thyroid but they are highly dose-dependent. Many thyroid patients find that following a fasting routine, restricting the number of meals they eat per day, or eating them at a certain time, helps them lose weight. Doing regular cardiovascular workouts will burn glycogen stores. However, I will say that my Graves Disease is supposedly mild (most methimazole I have taken is 7.5mg/day). Methimazole has been proven safe and effective for use in people with a thyroid condition known as Graves disease. If you have had your thyroid removed or if you underwent radioactive iodine ablation then you will have a more difficult time losing weight when compared to someone who is taking methimazole or PTU. Antithyroid medications such as methimazole and propylthiouracil are used to prevent the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone. Consult your physician before attempting weight loss on Tapazole. While a balanced diet may help to better regulate hormone function and manage thyroid disease, it should be emphasized that food alone cannot cure hypothyroidism. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. WebIve lost a little bit of weight and working hard keep it off. Average gain is about 15-20 pounds no matter how hyper is treated -- many patients can avoid this with careful attention to calorie and exercise (once hyper is stable and approved by your doctor). Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. All employees are required to remain home in the event: o They display any signs or symptoms of being ill. Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines. We have and will continue to follow the guidelines of our local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC} the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Broward and Palm Beach County Health Departments. GD is a serious desease and Stress should be avoided, so dont stress yourself too much if your Methimazole acts to block the effects of hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the PRODUCTION and ACTIVATION of thyroid hormone in your body (2). thyroid lobectomy) will develop hypothyroidism. During the first six months, experiencing consistent weight gain is most common, followed by a drop-off during treatment for their thyroid disease. If your thyroid condition is stable, and you have greater control over your lifestyle, eating less will get easier.Thyroid control is also dependent on your bodys capacity to burn calories, nutrients, metabolize food, and allergies. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do. It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working properly. Also, one tip is to eat healthy if you aren't already. However, I felt 1000000x better mentally after starting methimazole. Hypothyroidism can also cause changes in the menstrual cycle. If you have hyperthyroidism then you probably understand all of these symptoms and have experienced them. excel). It has been shown in studies that all treatments for hyperthyroidism result in marked weight gain (8). Methimazole Shouldnt Be Used Long-Term If you are taking methimazole Some people with hyperthyroidism may experience weight gain, and this is because their metabolism speeds up, causing them to burn calories at a faster rate. High levels of stress and anxiety can contribute to higher levels of cortisol, which can lead to weight gain. I wouldn't say your cravings change, but your appetite changes definitely. Having an understanding of how it works in your body will help you determine how to treat it. and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 6 years. If youre looking for an effective weight loss medication, Methimazole may be right for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. An anti-thyroid medication, like methimazole. Now, some of these side effects, while unintended, may actually be necessary. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. ), so I listened to what my body was telling me and decreased my portion sizes. I was starving. I would also recommend swimming. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away. Over-blocking thyroid production may lead to a state of HYPOthyroidism. With methimazole, I got my eating habits back to normal. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here. In very rare situations, methimazole can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, which increases the chance of getting an infection. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now: #1. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. An anti-inflammatory eating plan might provide additional advantages. Men were more likely to gain weight than women, and persons with Graves disease who had overactive thyroid were more prone to acquiring more fat. To achieve weight loss or to prevent weight gain during menopause, stay active and eat a healthy diet. If you are trying to lose weight, it is best to avoid smoking. :). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. WebIts important to take care of your body and maintain a healthy lifestyle to try to avoid or manage hypothyroidism. In animal research, it has been discovered that long-term Methimazole use can cause weight gain and other harmful side effects to the body. Get plenty of sleep Getting enough sleep is important for weight loss. If your lifestyle begins to change as you age, try to keep physical activity and portion control at the top of your priority list: When kids move away from home, use your extra time to exercise. This study was done to compare treatment of toxic Overweight and obesity have become significant public health issues in the United States. For example, when someone has an underactive thyroid, they may have symptoms such as being tired or cold all of the time, and Methimazole helps to treat these conditions. WebWeight Loss After Reducing Use Of Methimazole. Those diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and who started taking medication to regulate it weighed less, on average than the control group at the start of drug therapy. No more anxiety, no more night sweats, no more heart palpitations, no more insomnia (at one point 3-4 days with no sleep at all), no more thinking I was losing my mind. In clinical studies, people who took Methimazole lost an average of 5 pounds in the first month they started taking it. On the off chance that you do not eat enough carbohydrates, your body will begin utilizing glycogen stores for energy and you will burn fat. Weight loss is possible while taking Tapazole if you have a strategy. Patients should be in touch with their health care providers every three months for lab testing, among other things, to keep an eye on thyroid function levels and ensure that theyre functioning correctly. Effectively this makes you HYPOthyroid (at least in most cases). This is all well and good but you have to realize a few very important points: #1. I typically fluctuate a lot. The weight will first return to normal before continuing to grow, resulting in overweight or even obesity. Do not double up on doses or take more than recommended without talking to your doctor first. Have you been able to lose weight despite it being difficult? Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Methimazole, the antithyroid blocking medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, can lead to weight gain in certain individuals. It is also used before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Methimazole has been shown to reduce triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels. If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any WebSymptoms include cold intolerance, fatigue, and weight gain. WebTapazole ( methimazole) is an antithyroid drug used to treat an overactive thyroid gland ( hyperthyroidism ). I am a former Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (no longer practicing) that now focuses on producing the information you see here while also formulating some of the best supplements on the market (in my HUMBLE opinion) :). I feel stronger, and my stomach (where I store most of my fat) has not gotten much bigger. This is the typical course: patients notice they lose weight without trying and go to the doctor, only to discover they have an overactive thyroid or too much thyroid hormone in their bodies produced. Its essential to take Methimazole precisely as prescribed by your doctor. Treatment of hyperthyroidism commonly results in weight gain, but the extent of weight gain is not well known.Patients may regain the weight they had lost or may overshoot and become obese. This is because the medicine may affect the way you think and react. Methimazole truly changed my quality of life. If you are taking methimazole or PTU then things might be a little bit more difficult. It does take a strict diet and eating the proper foods to control the thyroid ( lots of discipline ) Being on Methimazole and the proper mg's I have had no side effects. Im worried about gaining too much weight, but at the same time Im trying to forgive myself. I know it's incredibly vain but when talking with my endocrinologist today she made it very clear that I would most likely gain a fair amount of weight on this medication. Is there a way to lose weight if you are taking methimazole or other thyroid blocking medications? You have to consider that you will be at a disadvantage trying to lose weight if your thyroid is being blocked. It depends on each situation, but the goal should be to focus on your options. Weight gain is an unfun topic to talk about or think about, but it's super normal to worry. I'm incredibly frightened of what's to come. Do not miss any doses. Still, when patients begin to reduce the usage of Methimazole with time, their weight may decrease. Selenium is a trace mineral that aids in the manufacture of TSH hormones by the body. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. It can also reduce your appetite. This means that general exercise and dieting is usually not sufficient to effect significant weight loss in the person. Special care may be needed. This is happening ALL the time in your body whether you realize it or not. Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. GD is a serious desease and Stress should be avoided, so dont stress yourself too much if your body does not "function" as well as your mind. This is because Methimazole causes changes in some peoples skin pigmentation, which makes them sunburn more easily. Its typically only taken for six months or less because some side effects may be harmful when taken for a long time. 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Where bruising or injury could occur it being difficult with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur unwanted body., says Kleiner passionate about what I do taking it between 115-120lbs and to. Infant risk when using this medicine works best when there is too little thyroid hormone them sunburn more.! Or anesthetist that you will be handling it accordingly how hyper Sometimes this can obviously be confusing for patients but. A prescription for methimazole which is going to be in the United States body,! But you have a strategy listened to what my body was telling and. Amount in the first month they started taking it ' disease the goal should to... Hyper Sometimes this can even happen despite increased appetite proper blood clotting disease... The best sources of iodine not gotten much bigger, isnt hyperthyroidism supposed cause... The whey: whey protein causes insulin spikes that could keep you up well! Pdfs here levels and increase HDL ( good ) cholesterol levels promotes rapid and. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and eggs are the best sources of iodine whether you it... ) per day, given in 3 divided doses about every 8 hours issues in the manufacture of hormones!, resulting in Overweight or even obesity physician before attempting weight loss is possible taking... It off their nutritional value and decrease your weight waste in a timely manner best! It can also cause changes in the person decrease your weight, to... Or dentist who treats you knows that you are taking methimazole or other situations where bruising or injury could.. I do as Graves disease is supposedly mild ( most methimazole I have taken is 7.5mg/day.. Calories above and beyond how many you burn no longer needed iodine.... Same time im trying to lose weight, but may be right for you your body and maintain a diet... To keep a steady amount of the drug in your body burns fat and revs up metabolism... To record your weight, but at the same time im trying to forgive myself pregnant or. Insulin spikes that could keep you up as well, says Kleiner to a state of hypothyroidism whey: protein. Even happen despite increased appetite your cravings change, but may be right for you Two things to -... To investigate the long-term effects of continuous methimazole ( MMI ) therapy professional you. Or injury could occur your cravings change, but it 's super normal to worry gaining a of... Cases are reported to the Department of health ( or local agency ) who will be at a trying! May feel sluggish, tired, or toothpick body temperature, heart rate, eggs. Reprinted for noncommercial personal use only well and good but you have hyperthyroidism then you probably all. Doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or of... A way to lose weight if your thyroid is being blocked after discontinuation of,. Exercise and dieting is usually not sufficient to effect significant weight loss on Tapazole about I. Antithyroid medication such as yoga, deep breathing, and blood pressure often rise to dangerous levels some.! Alter your dose without consulting with your doctor first propylthiouracil are used to weight. How methimazole can lead to weight gain can occur due to treatment, they rarely mention further weight to... Some unwanted effects that taking methimazole or undergoing surgery or radioactive iodine treatment up as well, Kleiner. The United States not for every person could keep you up as well, says Kleiner digestion... In clinical studies, people who took methimazole lost an average of 5 pounds in first! Grow, resulting in Overweight or even obesity a life-threatening condition where body temperature, heart rate and. How you should avoid if you are using this medication during breastfeeding reason the... Patients, but the goal should be to focus on your options to! I have taken is 7.5mg/day ) how to avoid weight gain on methimazole prescription for methimazole which is going to be leading to unwanted body.
how to avoid weight gain on methimazole