If you are pregnant, contact your doctor immediately for instructions on how to dispose of the medication. Increase the amount of gluten-free items on your menu. Methimazole saved my life. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. This weight gain is worse if you go into hyperthyroid treatment already being overweight or if you have Graves disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active will aid in weight loss while you take Tapazole. Removal of the whole thyroid gland (i.e. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Common side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, upset stomach; headache, dizziness, drowsiness; WebIts important to take care of your body and maintain a healthy lifestyle to try to avoid or manage hypothyroidism. Undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism can cause excessive weight gain. Want to know why I'm so passionate about these topics? Sugar and high-carb meals should be avoided. Effectively this makes you HYPOthyroid (at least in most cases). Make sure you have any shortages taken care of first. You may also find benefit in trying to reduce inflammation if your hyperthyroidism is caused by Graves disease (which is an autoimmune disease) with some strategies such as these. WebThe med does not cuase the gain, it's the correction of the artificially high metabolism caused by the hyperthyroidism. 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. Increase the amount of anti-inflammatory foods you eat. These three factors are important in understanding how methimazole can lead to weight gain in certain people. WebSymptoms include cold intolerance, fatigue, and weight gain. The other group followed their regular diet. I gained ~5-10 pounds since I started taking methimazole a year ago. It has been shown in studies that all treatments for hyperthyroidism result in marked weight gain (8). total thyroidectomy) will definitely cause hypothyroidism and up to 30 to 50% of patients having half of the thyroid removed (i.e. And this should actually make perfect sense once you understand the physiology. thyroid lobectomy) will develop hypothyroidism. This slows down the metabolic processes in your body, which reduces excess weight and fat mass (like belly fat). During the first six months, experiencing consistent weight gain is most common, followed by a drop-off during treatment for their thyroid disease. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings, feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness, sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat. Download my fitness pal and focus on eating good quality foods at the right calorie goal (maintenance). It also decreases the amount of circulating and active T3 thyroid hormone by blocking peripheral activation of T4 to T3 in your tissues. To record your weight, I would suggest weighing yourself once a week and keeping a chart (e.g. Using this medicine during the first three months of your pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. However, eating the appropriate sort of foods, which provide proper nutrition and exercise, as well as any therapy you may be taking, can aid in the reduction of your symptoms. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Adequate water intake will also cut down water retention, improve digestion and toxin elimination from the body. bag of potato chips almost every evening and not gain a pound. You may lose up to 5 pounds within the first month you start taking Methimazole. 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. I'm Dr. Westin Childs. WebThe most important step to control weight gain from any cause is to increase the awareness of providers and the patients. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, Really going to balance 1200 caloric intake and am going to start planning healthy dinners and lunches. Sardines, Brazil nuts, eggs, and other types of legumes are all excellent sources of selenium. I was starving. unusual weight gain upper right abdominal pain yellow eyes or skin Other side effects of Methimazole Some side effects of methimazole may occur that usually do not Be aware that Methimazole is not approved for long-term use. 3. I do plan on sticking to calorie restricted diet with healthy meals. usually methimazole 2.5 to 10 mg once a day in order to avoid inducing hypothyroidism. I've been on anywhere from 15 mg/day to 5 mg/day the last ten years (tried to taper off twice and see if it would stay normal, but it didn't) and my weight has only fluctuated a few pounds (+/- 2 pounds from my average) the entire time. Methimazole is a reason for the increasing weight of patients during hyperthyroidism treatment. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Ive been on methimazole for over a month now and my thyroid levels are back in the normal range (T4 still kind of high). Its also widely believed that treating and managing hypothyroidism is easier when compared to hyperthyroidism. People with hypothyroidism may feel sluggish, tired, or depressed. A deep cleaning will occur at the identified location. Copyright 2023 IBM Watson Health. WebBefore starting methimazole, it was nothing for me to eat an entire 8 oz. It might take a while for anything to feel better or more normal, but it feels great when you do. 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. Control generally is achieved in 2 to 3 months. Its well known that weight gain is a negative side effect of hypothyroidism and it is something that Ive discussed in detail here. P.S. Is there a way to lose weight if you are taking methimazole or other thyroid blocking medications? Not at all, in fact, most hyperthyroid therapies and medications will eventually lead to weight gain. This medication can cause weight gain, so it is important to be aware of this side effect and take steps to avoid it. which leads to a slowed metabolism. Cruciferous veggies should also be avoided. Is methimazole the only hyperthyroid medication or therapy to cause weight gain? WebScore: 5/5 (68 votes) . However, blocking thyroid production in a perfect manner is considerably more difficult. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do. I cant stop eating! If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately to talk about resuming the medication. I currently hover between 115-120lbs and working to lose another 10lbs of fat. Clients will not be admitted to the facility if any of the following symptoms are present: o Severer body aches, that surpass PAWS range and/or. Dexamethasone is a purely anti-inflammatory drug that is open to abuse, just like other steroids that are abused in athletics. Prolonged use could result in side effects such as weight gain, poor wound healing, high blood pressure, repeated boils and easy bone fractures, Adeyelu warned. Reducing your dose will allow more thyroid hormone to function which may increase your metabolism. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Doctors know that this often occurs, but the question is why? WebThe first step to reversing cortisol weight gain is to reduce stress levels. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Animal studies do not always cross over perfectly with humans, but they can still act as useful tools that we can learn from. People who take this medication should inform their doctor if they have any thoughts of harming themselves or others. You can avoid gaining weight by avoiding foods that are mentioned below, which are common causes of hypothyroidism: -Millets -Highly processed meals -Soy -Peaches, pears, strawberries, and other fruits containing sulfoxides should be avoided. ChildrenDose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin. Consult your physician before starting to restrict calories. 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. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. This is very doable and you will feel better. STIs are the most common cause of genital sores. Overweight and obesity have become significant public health issues in the United States. Check with your doctor right away if you have constipation, a depressed mood, dry skin and hair, feeling cold, hair loss hoarseness or husky voice, muscle cramps and stiffness, slowed heartbeat, weight gain, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Just realize that attempting to lose weight with hyperthyroidism can be very difficult. Learn how we can help. Signs may include a typical facial appearance, hoarse slow speech, and dry skin. All suspected cases are reported to the Department of Health (or local agency) who will be handling it accordingly. I could eat cookies/doritos/junk food, and never gain a lb. Sometimes this can even happen despite increased appetite. It certainly is, and it does so by slowing down your metabolism and decreasing the amount of energy generated in the body at rest. Seafood, dairy products, and eggs are the best sources of iodine. I took it for 3 months and gained 30 pounds. Having GD does not mean that you have to be morbidly obese. I was always thin and smaller chested. Pregnant women should not handle broken Methimazole tablets because they can cause harm to the unborn baby. Fewer than 2% of hyperthyroid cases in cats involve malignant thyroid gland tumors. You may cause more harm than good if you adjust your medication in this way. WebAs a result, if you have hypothyroidism, consider adding iodine to your diet so that TSH production in the body will improve. That study is published online September 25 in Methimazole, the antithyroid blocking medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, can lead to weight gain in certain individuals. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. My weight gain happened when I was 26 (thankfully right after my wedding!) Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone, but it is especially important if you are taking a medication that can cause weight gain. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. While having your thyroid removed completely eliminates all thyroid function in the body and makes the person without a thyroid completely reliant upon thyroid medication for life. 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. Thats because certain foods can prevent the medication from being absorbed. The starting dosage is 15 to 30 mg per day, and it can be given in conjunction with a beta blocker. While the condition of hyperthyroidism does lead to weight loss, this is only true when it is not being treated. AdultsAt first, 15 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day, given in 3 divided doses about every 8 hours. This topic discusses the symptoms, diagnostic tests, and If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. While this This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Westin Childs and is for educational and information purposes only. This guides each and every decision we make. High-starch carbohydrate meals, which can also add sugar, will be detrimental to you. Engage in high-intensity interval training to melt layers of fat. The researchers compared the patients weight gain to a matched control group of nearly 11,000 people with normal thyroid function. Its essential to take Methimazole precisely as prescribed by your doctor. Hey There! It works by making it harder for the body to make thyroid hormone. It can also reduce your appetite. The answer is yes, but it may be more difficult. Hypothyroidism can also cause changes in the menstrual cycle. Sometimes it may be possible to simply reduce your dosage which will allow some thyroid hormone activation and production in your body. While health care providers are aware that weight gain can occur due to treatment, they rarely mention further weight gain to patients. Alcohol and thyroid are related to each other. 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. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime. Also, one tip is to eat healthy if you aren't already. During therapy, males gained an average of 17.6 pounds while females added an average of 12 pounds. However, this trend is likely to reverse. Antithyroid medications such as methimazole and propylthiouracil are used to prevent the thyroid gland from making too much thyroid hormone. Methimazole is dose-dependent and acts differently in each person. Experts are still trying to figure out why people who have hyperthyroidism treated with antithyroid medications to restore their thyrotoxicosis gain weight back. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. 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