Any thought on caffeine?
Posted , 4 users are following.
I have to admit to not having been on this forum for a while. I was diagnosed with Graves back in 2013, had a year on Carbimazole and have been off it for over two years with no recurrence of symptoms (**touches wood**). As my heart rate was so high when diagnosed, I was told to avoid caffeine which wasn't hard as I'd actually been off it for a while at that point anyway (I'd had a few issues with sleeping and thought I'd give it a try). I drink mostly herbal teas and water with an occasional decaf coffee (proper ground stuff and no more than one a day). However, I've been reading recent reports which say that caffeine - in moderation - can be good at preventing dementia.
There is no history of dementia in the family but I have to admit that it is the one disease that scares the hell out of me and I'm wondering if re-introducing a controlled amount of caffeine would be beneficial. I'm also wondering though whether it is likely to have any effect on my thyroid.
Anyone with experience/knowledge who can share it with me?
0 likes, 6 replies
linda187 karen0810
Posted
Congratulations on your remission Karen. Though all my thyroid values have been normal since 2009, I have remained on 2.5 mg of Methimazole 4 days a week. I did go down to 3 days a week but had a drop in my TSH due to workplace stress. Even though my thyroid values were not out of range, I am reluctant to totally give up the Methimazole as that low a dose does not bother me. However, I have always been a coffee drinker. I try not to drink more than 2 cups a day but I have heard that 1 cup a day is what is usually recommended. I haven't done much research on coffee drinking and hyperthyroidism and have not encountered any problems I feel due to coffee drinking. I am really aware when I have dramatic differences in my lab values, it is usually due to an excessive stressful event.
karen0810 linda187
Posted
Thanks Linda. Glad you are keeping well too. I think I'm going to start introducing it slowly alongside my decaf and see how I go. If I start getting any sleep problems or racing heart, I'll just cut down again. There are so many conflicting health reports out there, I find things really confusing sometimes! I guess the old fashioned advice of "everything in moderation" is the best to follow!
tatiana12 karen0810
Posted
when I developed Graves disease in 2012 , my heart rate was so fast I coudl not even take a phone call on my cell phone while walking as talking would leave me breathless. I have since been on Carbimazole, different dosages, now down to 2,5 mg 6 days a week , but have never been able to give up coffee. Initially I would limit it to one cup at breakfast, now it s 3-4 cups a day and I dont seem t have any problems with that.
Indeed recent research has found that coffee is beneficial both to prevent the onset of dementia and also , odd as it may seem, in some cardiovascular diseases.
I think drinking 1cup a day or so should not cause any major issue,since your heartbeat is now normal. Decaffeinated coffee still has a small percentage of caffeine, so if your consumption is limited, you may want to drink the real thing?
karen0810 tatiana12
Posted
Thanks Tatiana. Yes, I thank my lucky stars that I only needed a year on Carbimazole and I'm hoping that things stay the same. I realise that even decaf coffee has a small amount of caffeine in it so, as long as I increase my amounts a little at a time, I think you're right that I should be OK (and I can always go back if things change). Thanks again and I hope you stay well.
rita87269 karen0810
Posted
I have given caffein up due to the heart rate, like yourself... I only drank decaf for a few weeks, only reintroduced one coffee (with caffeine) per day now that Carbimazole had its effects and my heart rate and sleeping has improved. I had no issues reintroducing caffeine.
karen0810 rita87269
Posted
Hi Rita. Thanks for the reply. I'm going to reintroduce gradually and see how I go. Glad the Carbimazole is working for you.