About to start trial of Methimazole
Posted , 4 users are following.
Been struggling with potential thyroid symptoms for a number of years now. Every year they seem to be getting worse, especially the heat intolerance. I went from sweating on armpits and feet, then as the years have passed pretty much everywhere on my body in the heat (Generalized Hyperhidrosis).
Recently had my thyroid tested for the 3rd time (results below) my TSH is slowing dropping to the lower end of the normal range. I've also recently had my adrenal glands tested everything came back as negative/normal.
My doctor wants to trial me on a small dose of methimazole, 5MG. Im at my wits end. A part of me is glad that he wants to trial based upon my symptoms and not just the numbers but I also worry about the long term effects of taking this drug if I dont have hyperthyroid...?
TSH 0.610 uIU/mL (0.450 - 4.500 uIU/mL)
Free T4 1.68 ng/dL ( 0.82 - 1.77 ng/dL)
T3, Free 3.3 pg/mL (2.0 - 4.4 pg/mL)
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab 19 IU/mL (0 - 34 IU/mL)
TSI 67 % (0 - 139 %)
Vit D, 25-Hydroxy 31.2 ng/mL (30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL)
Vitamin B-12 531 pg/mL (211 - 946 pg/mL)
My symptoms:
- Heat intolerance
- Heavy sweating
- Anxiety
- Heavy achy joints
- Always tired, even after 7-8 sleep as night
- Dry, itchy, flaky scalp
- Premature grey hair
- Hot flashes
- Brain fogg, lack of concentration
Thanks.
0 likes, 8 replies
ryan25034
Posted
Also read this article as I was confused on the range for TSI. My endo did not describe anything in detail to me. My GP on the other hand has been a saint!!
TSI, which stands for thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin, is the antibody responsible for hyperthyroidism in Graves’ disease. TSI are also known as stimulating TSH receptor antibodies or stimulating thyrotropin receptor antibodies because of their ability to stimulate the TSH receptor on thyroid cells. Acting in place of TSH, these antibodies stimulate thyroid cells to produce excess thyroid hormone. TSI also contribute to the related eye disease, Graves’ ophthalmopathy. TSI is used to diagnose Graves’ disease, to monitor response to anti-thyroid drugs and to helping predicting remission. While the normal range is <130% activity, individuals who are normal do not produce TSI and have levels <2% activity. Individuals with levels between 2 and 125 %, which indicates thyroid autoimmunity, do not generally develop symptoms of hyperthyroidism until levels rise. Therefore, levels much lower than 125% are necessary to predict complete remission. Levels, which are close to 100% activity generally rise when patients stop taking anti-thyroid drugs. Ideally, levels would fall to at least 20% before anti-thyroid drugs are safely withdrawn. The reference range is <130% activity or an index of <1.3 for tests that measure the increased activity caused by adding patient serum to a test solution of thyroid cells.
Mike61308 ryan25034
Posted
Hi Ryan, According to your test result, there is not even a sign of "subclinical hyperthyroidism". I wonder why your doctor wants to try anti-thyroid med at this point? According to your symptoms listed, two major ones for hyperthyroidism are missing: high heart pulse (and palpitation) and weight loss (or weight gain). Maybe those symptoms come from other health problem? What are the previous test results compared to the latest one? Anyway, hope you find the cause of your symptoms and take right treatment.
ryan25034 Mike61308
Posted
1st Round of tests:
Triiodothyronine,Free,Serum 3.4 (2.0-4.4)
Thyroglobulin Antibody <1.0 (0.0-0.9)
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) 16 (0-34)
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 34.8 (30.0-100.0)
TSH 1.280 (0.450-4.500)
T4,Free(Direct) 1.58 (0.82-1.77)
Testoterone, Serum 565 (348-1197)
Folate (Folic Acid), Serum 7.5 (>3.0)
2nd Round:
TSH 0.9 (.450-4.500 UIU/ML)
T4 8.2 (4.5 – 12 UG/DL)
T3 Uptake 28 (24-39 & [wink]
FREE THYROXINE INDEX 2.3 (1.2 – 4.9
T3 111 (71-180 NG/DL)
3rd Round:
TSH 0.610 uIU/mL (0.450 - 4.500 uIU/mL)
Free T4 1.68 ng/dL ( 0.82 - 1.77 ng/dL)
T3, Free 3.3 pg/mL (2.0 - 4.4 pg/mL)
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab 19 IU/mL (0 - 34 IU/mL)
TSI 67 % (0 - 139 %)
Vit D, 25-Hydroxy 31.2 ng/mL (30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL)
Vitamin B-12 531 pg/mL (211 - 946 pg/mL)
Mike61308 ryan25034
Posted
Other thoughts: 1. taking anti-thyroid med alone can't lower or control the TSI level. 2. Graves disease is only one of several types of Hyperthyroidism, which is caused by the autoimmune disorder. There are other types of hyperT, which are not caused by the autoimmune disorder.
michelle60449 ryan25034
Posted
With all the symptoms you listed it sure sounds like hyperthyroidism. I was diagnosed with Graves/Hyperthyroidism in late 2014. I was immediately put on methimazole. The meds helped with the trimmers, shin cramps, depression and brain fog but it did not help with the heat intolerance. I have been off my meds for about 6 months and I still sweat like crazy. While everyone in my home is freezing because the AC is on full blast I'm soak and wet from sweat. I'm also still very tired everyday but I push myself to get up and try to somewhat live a normal life. I've had no negative side effect from taking the meds for 2 1/2 years but everyone body reacts to meds differently.. The medication may help with some symptoms unfortunately I don't believe it will cure every ailment your feeling.
maureen48503 michelle60449
Posted
except for being tired. Have you had any bad side effects from the methimazole?
ryan25034
Posted
koa61308 all my results are as followed:
1st Round of tests:
Triiodothyronine,Free,Serum 3.4 (2.0-4.4)
Thyroglobulin Antibody <1.0 (0.0-0.9)
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) 16 (0-34)
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 34.8 (30.0-100.0)
TSH 1.280 (0.450-4.500)
T4,Free(Direct) 1.58 (0.82-1.77)
Testoterone, Serum 565 (348-1197)
Folate (Folic Acid), Serum 7.5 (>3.0)
2nd Round:
TSH 0.9 (.450-4.500 UIU/ML)
T4 8.2 (4.5 – 12 UG/DL)
T3 Uptake 28 (24-39 & [wink]
FREE THYROXINE INDEX 2.3 (1.2 – 4.9
T3 111 (71-180 NG/DL)
3rd Round:
TSH 0.610 uIU/mL (0.450 - 4.500 uIU/mL)
Free T4 1.68 ng/dL ( 0.82 - 1.77 ng/dL)
T3, Free 3.3 pg/mL (2.0 - 4.4 pg/mL)
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab 19 IU/mL (0 - 34 IU/mL)
TSI 67 % (0 - 139 %)
Vit D, 25-Hydroxy 31.2 ng/mL (30.0 - 100.0 ng/mL)
Vitamin B-12 531 pg/mL (211 - 946 pg/mL)
maureen48503 ryan25034
Posted
hi ryan.
i'm just starting on methimazole and would like to keep in touch. my doc started me at 30 mg per day. i'm always tired, too... and don't know if it's the medicine? or that my TSH is still low [ it's coming up]. please be in touch and best wishes to you and us both. this stuff is f'g awful.
What I"m really interested in: can anbody share their side effex history from the methimazole? and any good results you've had with compounding. My endo may be too conservative, but I hope doc will work with me. thanks all.