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Suggest Remedy For Weight Gain When On Carbimazole For Graves Disease
Hello, I have graves desease on the 7th May my TSHRAB levels were 2.3 then on the 20th May my levels had risen to 5.4, I was on 10mg of cabizmole I have now been told to take 20mg, 10mg in the morning and 10mg at night. I am very concern about gaining weight but also don t want to feel this sick all the time. Is it better to be on a small dose over a longer period of time or higher dose over a shorter period of time? Which would be best to achieve less weight gain and feeling better?
Thu, 24 Dec 2020
Hello,
I have seen the details mentioned. Apart from the antibody levels it is necessary to know TSH and T4 levels, because these levels give a clear idea about how good the antithyroid action has been.
Dosage of Carbamizole is increased if TSH has not increased to the expected level of 3 to 4 mU/L. That level shows about the level of thyroid gland secretion activity.
Since you have not made any mention of that it is difficult to comment any further.
Usually when a patient is put on anti-thyroid drugs like Carbamizole, or similar ones, the treatment is continued for over 18 to 24 months.
However, if TSH returns to normal and T4 levels go down, suggesting thyroid hyperactivity is under good control, then treatment is discontinued. In quite a few cases hyperactivity does not occur again.
However, if the hyperactivity resumes then other options of anti-thyroid therapy like Radio Active Iodine ablation and lastly surgery are considered.
So in your case as the dosage of carbamizole is increased, please check TSH & T4 after 2 to 3 months to see what has been the effect. If you have any questions please do come back.
As regards the weight gain as long as thyroid hyperactivity is continuing there is no possibility of weight gain.
Hope I have answered your queries. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Prabhakar Laxman Jathar, Diabetologist
I have seen the details mentioned. Apart from the antibody levels it is necessary to know TSH and T4 levels, because these levels give a clear idea about how good the antithyroid action has been.
Dosage of Carbamizole is increased if TSH has not increased to the expected level of 3 to 4 mU/L. That level shows about the level of thyroid gland secretion activity.
Since you have not made any mention of that it is difficult to comment any further.
Usually when a patient is put on anti-thyroid drugs like Carbamizole, or similar ones, the treatment is continued for over 18 to 24 months.
However, if TSH returns to normal and T4 levels go down, suggesting thyroid hyperactivity is under good control, then treatment is discontinued. In quite a few cases hyperactivity does not occur again.
However, if the hyperactivity resumes then other options of anti-thyroid therapy like Radio Active Iodine ablation and lastly surgery are considered.
So in your case as the dosage of carbamizole is increased, please check TSH & T4 after 2 to 3 months to see what has been the effect. If you have any questions please do come back.
As regards the weight gain as long as thyroid hyperactivity is continuing there is no possibility of weight gain.
Hope I have answered your queries. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr. Prabhakar Laxman Jathar, Diabetologist
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