Carbimazole - weight gain

Hi I went to the doctors last week as I have been feeling unwell for a while and I asked for a thyroid function test as my mother had severe hyperthyroidism. Yup..... blood tests came back with the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Only found out today.. and so it starts. For now 20 mg of Carbimazole a day with a follow up test in a month and possibly a visit to the specialist for an x ray of my thyroid. Lets see how we go any information of maintaining a healthy lifestyle would be greatly appreciated ... lets see how ths all goes.

So day one ...feeling worried but also happy I found out why I have been feeling so bad.

Hi I went to the doctors last week as I have been feeling unwell for a while and I asked for a thyroid function test as my mother had severe hyperthyroidism. Yup..... blood tests came back with the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Only found out today.. and so it starts. For now 20 mg of Carbimazole a day with a follow up test in a month and possibly a visit to the specialist for an x ray of my thyroid. Lets see how we go any information of maintaining a healthy lifestyle would be greatly appreciated ... lets see how ths all goes.

So day one ...feeling worried but also happy I found out why I have been feeling so bad.

hi hope your feeling a bit better.. it takes time to adjust to taking carbonmazole, i felt sick for the 1st few weeks, i can only suggest that you start to eat healthy, fresh foods only and stay away from processed meals.. take some exercise if you can, even if its just a 20 min walk. fresh air is good for keeping your mood up. :-) keep us posted on how your doing.. it does get better, eventually. :-)

..oh and I’m taking vitamin B12 too.. i think its helping me.. its supposedly good for autoimmune diseases..

T

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to update you guys on whats been happening. I suffered from Hyperthyroidism for 18 months

and like most of you suffered weight gain. It didn't help when each time I spoke to the specialist they would

just say it was my body and not the Carbimazole that was being pumped through my body. Well I gave up on trying to loose the weight and just came to terms with it, despite all the gym work I was putting in. After 18 months I went into remission and was so happy. Well 6 months went by and I unfortunately the

Hyperthyroidism came back. Well its been 6 months now of being on Carbimazole and I have just been given the all clear again although I have been told that the chances are it will relaps. They still wanted to keep me on 5 mg of Carbimazole but I am ademant that I don't want this drug in my body if I don't need it. I know my body and I have given my word that if I feel any of the symptons coming back I will immediately go back on

the medication but for now I am all clear.

Since I first started my comments this page people have given me such strength and positivity as I am not

one for writing blogs and I want to thank everyone who supported me with their positive comments throughout my time. Anyone new to Hyperthroidism starting to read all the comments it such a great comfort to know

you not alone. It helped me so much.

update.. well as you know I stopped the carbimazole in April as I felt ok and my readings were top end of normal. went back to hospital for follow up appointment last week and quess what? thyroid back to hyper, so now back on the tablets *(double dose too) myabe I was a bit Naive to think i could just stop, I know my body best and for a few weeks all was wonderful then the sweats returned along with the tremmors,( but only when I excerted myself,) so I carried on fooling myself It would sort itself out. Wrong!!! needless to say I'm annoyed with myself for not making an appontment sooner but I'm begining to understand a bit more about this 'graves disease' it will play with your mind and body upset you and fool you into thinking you are getting better.. then laugh at you as you try to move on.. I have now given in to it and accept that some days will be beter than others and some will be kak. I'm still 2.5 stone heaver than I was and nothing I do will shift it.. so Grave's for the moment you win,I will take the tablets and carry on in the hope that somewhere down the line I will get you under control.. until then i will live my life laughing at my foolishness. moral of the story.. if the doc says stay on the tablets, stay on them, they do know best.. ive just put myself back 6 months.. love to all T

Since being on 30mg Carbimazole since March 2015 I have the same problem weight gain....but my Endo has just started me on block and replacement and in a couple of days my weight is going down again, very gradually, but even a couple of ounces per day is good!

Block and replace. 30mg Carbimazole and 100mg Thyroxine (thyroxine based on my weight) 

I have also read about block and replace on the British Thyroid Foundation webpage.

See here: Block and replace: You continue taking CMZ, usually 20-40mg daily, or PTU, usually 200-400mg daily, to stop your thyroid gland producing thyroid hormone; and start taking levothyroxine (usually 100-150mcg daily) to replace the thyroid hormone your body would normally produce. Block and replace must not be used in pregnancy as the high doses of antithyroid drugs cross the placenta and can cause the baby to develop an under-active thyroid.

You will usually continue on antithyroid drugs alone for up to 18 months, and on block and replace therapy for six to 12 months. If you have Graves’ disease there is about a one in three chance that you will have no further problems with your thyroid after a single course of antithyroid drugs.

They may not do this in every country and I think in the US and Canada they do a similar regime called add back in, which is lower dosage.

My situation 11 years hypothyroid then turned hyperthyroid with graves disease, after stressful house move and husband having chronic lymphytic leukemia, he's had his chemo and is in remission, so all my stress has gone!

So thought this was worth a mention and may help someone.

 

Hello and a big thank you to everyone here who has shared their story - it makes me feel I'm not alone.  I have been on Carbimazole twice now - initially for 18 months and then a reprieve - wham bam 12 months later after being clear it came back!  I am on a very low dose just 5 mg daily and they are hoping I will go into full remission after this.  I'm not convinced.  I read an interesting article in the hope for some answers where flouride in the water was considered a major contributing factor to the development of hyperthyroidism - so I've invested in a serious filter.  It may help - many people may already only drink bottled water but I'm not sure that this is enough so I now have a filtration system.  I'm now deliberating about the options should I become 'toxic' again. 

I have to say I feel cheated.  I have been on around 900 calories a day, gluten free, carb free but my body's metabolism has just stopped.  I spoke to my doctor about this and was told if carbimazole puts weight on you then thyroxin will take it away - rubbish.  A dietician told me that.  The fact is whether it is my body's reaction or the medicine - I have put on 2 stone.  I was 9' 2lb and now I am 11'2lb - no amount of exercise removes the weight. I did a detox before my holiday where people shouted about shedding 1, 2 or 3 stone - I lost 2lbs.  Two!  The only thing that removes the weight is coming off the tablets.  What terrifies me is having the RAI and then being reliant on a synthetic which could make my body worse.  Has anyone any suggestions post RAI? 

Hi Naz did you stop taking the carbimazole when you did the herbal medicine? My levels are 33 and been told I have to start taking it asap as I have refused until now! 😩

Hi Naz, you mention Herbals, what were they ? I am getting very fed up with being overweight and was wondering if there is any herbal medicine that would do the trick. Thanks  I am on low fat, high protein, low carbs, lots of veg and water and exercise daily