Methimazole for Hyperthyroidism User Reviews

• 12345
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 7, 2020

"When I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, I believe this drug methimazole saved my life. I was having anxiety attacks heart palpitations like crazy and I thought I was literally going out of my mind. I would wake up with incredibly high heart rates Thinking I was having an anxiety attack before I found out I had hyperthyroidism. I would even sometimes hallucinate to a certain extent. Drinking alcohol was the only thing that helped me. I started off at 20 mg a day and to be honest I cannot remember any bad side effects except for after about a month I started feeling a whole lot better and felt like I had my life back. After a couple years I have reduced It down to 2.5 mg a day, which is where I am now. I have tried to lower my dose. But it seems to get worse each time I do so 2.5mg seems to be my sweet spot. Anyway, there seems to be a lot of negative comments on here so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones when it comes to the side effects."

• Texas...
• January 27, 2020

"This medicine is brutal. After a short week of Methimazole I began to start feeling aches in my muscles, nerves, and joints. I am miserable. I’m walking around here like a drunk lady. My head hurts too. My entire body feels like it’s been through a wreck. Dizziness Constipation Headaches Nausea Muscle pain Nerve pain Joint pain I feel nauseated and dizzy and can’t go poop now! My stomach is feeling so bad. And I feel unwell all day. I’m not sure if I can keep taking this medicine. Has anyone else felt this way? Help me!"

• Holly
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2020

"I have been on methimazole for hypothyroidism and Graves disease for one year now and I have noticed side effects like extreme hair loss, bloating, constipation, upset stomach, fatigue and joint pain and weight gain. I'm almost in remission now and can't wait to get off of methimazole. I have also started seeing a naturopathic doctor and I'm absolutely amazed of the natural health benefits of food for hypothyroidism and would highly recommend a naturopathic doctor to anyone:) Tips for a healthy and natural recovery of the thyroid for hypothyroidism are to consume foods like cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and kale raw on a daily basis. I hope this msg will help"

• healed...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2012

Tapazole (methimazole) "A serious bout of autoimmune hyperthyroidism had me very sick; traditional docs wanted to use RAI, radiation to kill off the thyroid; fortunately I read up on some Japanese and European studies that showed tapazole/methimazole solves the problem without killing the victim-thyroid. I fired the docs, got new ones at a major medical center, and started tapazole therapy. It took a closely monitored, gradually reduced dosing over 10 months, but I got well thanks to this miracle medicine."

• Grave...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2021

"Methimazole has been great for me. I started at 10 mg, went immediately hypo, so dropped to 5, went hypo again, kept dropping until I just take 2.5 3x per week. I appear to be in remission, but I never want to stop taking it because it gave me my life back and I’m terrified of being hyper again. I was so sick before I started. I’ve been on it for over a year, had zero side effects and never gained weight."

• SunSh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2020

"I had a thyroid storm about 3-4 months ago and did the RAI 3X a day during my stay in the ICU along with methimazole 30mg a day and metoprolol 50mg a day. Immediately I did not have any side effects, within a month or 2 the extreme charley horses and numbness and shooting nerve pains, extreme tiredness and sleeping all day came, my hair is brittle and thinning and hair loss everywhere, my face got swollen chubby, periods got longer and heavier, weight gain was very fast and I’m unsure of how to shed even one pound. On a positive note, none of my hyperthyroidism symptoms have returned however I don’t know how to balance this out to avoid these pains and weight gain and tiredness and maintain a healthy thyroid. Has anyone had this?"

• JAYD
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2019

"I have been on this medication for about 2 weeks. This medicine took about a full week to work so don’t be discouraged. I have hyperthyroidism auto immune disease and was very sick. So far I have zero side effects. I have read all the reviews and was scared what people have to say . I am grateful that I feel semi back to normal. I recommend this drug as of right now. My symptoms have subsided "

• Tennis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2019

"I lost about 30 pounds before I was diagnosed with Graves disease and hyperthyroidism. My heart rate would get to 190 when I was playing pickleball or tennis and I would feel like I was going to pass out. My resting heart rate was 90. My TSH was .005. I started taking 10 mg of methimazole and after 3 months my TSH went to 4.7. So I started taking 5mg and 9 months later my TSH is 5.3. I have been on Methimazole for a total of 1 year and I'm going to ask my doctor to reduce my dosage to 5 mg every other day. I have been very fortunate in that I haven't had any side effects. I did gain 15 pounds back. When I first saw my endocrinologist, he wanted to use the radioactive iodine to destroy my thyroid. I told him I had read a lot of literature and I wanted to try the medicine first. Hopefully I will stay on this medicine for another 6 months and then be done with it. Now that I know what to look for, I will know if I start to go hyperthyroid again."

• Angwl
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

"I honestly believe methimazole saved my life. No more night sweats, no more insomnia (3-4 day at a time with no sleep at all), no more heart palpitations, no more anxiety, not more thinking I was losing my mind. No longer do I take propranolol for heart palpitations. After 3 years of struggling with hyperthyroisim, I’m finally back to my normal self. I’ve got my life back thanks to methimazole."

• John
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2020

"It works well to bring thyroid levels and antibodies down, but man you will THROW weight on like crazy. I cut my calories down by 30% and was still putting it on. Also seems to make me hold onto water (bloat) more."

• Brown...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2021

"Was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism August 2020 and was put on 20mg of methimazole and with 1.5 weeks I gained a whopping 10lbs. My doctor took me down to 10mg and my weight, heart palpitations, sleepless nights slowly went away. Still having dry eyes, a little eye bulging in 1 eye accompanied with it being wider than the other, and blurred vision that I’m seeing an Ophthalmologist for now. Now I’m dealing with little red bumps and the feeling like something is always biting me. Always thinking a bug is crawling on me and itching all the time. I scratch so that I actually ends up with tiny sores mostly on my arms. Just did my blood work 1/5/2021 and was informed today that my levels are still low. Going to new endocrinologist next week to see if we can get this under control ASAP. I’m tired of it all and I’m tired of going to so many doctors all the time. I want my life back!!!!"

• Posit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

Tapazole (methimazole) "I’ve been on Tapazole for several weeks now. I’ve seen many negative experiences online, and wanted to share my early positive experience. I am currently on a low dose, and within the first 3 weeks my hyperthyroidism has responded very well - levels were extremely high before and have come down to the upper end of normal range. TSH is still low, but I’m told that takes longer to respond to treatment. The first few days on Tapazole were challenging, but manageable: headaches, tiredness, overall feeling blah. I experienced some swelling from water retention, as well as itchy skin. A couple weeks in and most drug side effects have disappeared, and a lot of hyperthyroid symptoms have improved too. My heart is still racing, but overall I’m happy I tried this drug."

• surfe...
• October 13, 2020

"In June 2020 I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to heart palpitation. After blood test I was refer to endocrinologist. Initial test reading t4 31.6 and t3 11.6. started 10mg methimazole a day and 40 mg propanolol for palpitations. My second test methimazole 15mg a day and propranolol stayed the same. I started to feel short periods of being dizzy to longer periods of dizziness. t4 shows 18 and t3 8. My third blood test t4 12 and t3 at 6 all normal levels. THS level 0.01 now lower dosage back to 10 mg a day. and no more propanolol. My heart rate now 65 to 75bpm no palpitations. been told by doc TSH 0.01 will be back to normal in weeks (range 0.045 to 4.5) I gained some weight too... In conclusion I felt propranolol saved my life with heart palpitations, methimazole brought back my t4 and t3 levels way down to normal range t4 normal levels ( 9.0 to 26) current 12.1 t3 normal levels(4.0 to 11) current 6.0 tsh normal level (0. 045 to 4.5) current 0.001 low will see later Greetings from canada"

• Candles
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2020

"Yes, your hair will grow back. I was on Methimazole for 2 years and my hair thinned a lot, then I went in remission and when I stopped the meds I had TONS of hair grow back. I hadn’t even realized how much I lost until it started growing back all over. People thought I’d cut bangs, but it was just new hair! Unfortunately after being in remission 9 years my Graves is back and I had to go back on Methimazole. This time around I’m only on 5 mg but having a terrible time losing weight even with a 1200 calorie/day diet. Wondering if it caused water retention or if it’s just impossible to lose weight on it. :("

• Sean
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2019

"I was diagnosed with graves disease and saw two endos and a primary care. One endo prescribed methimazole 30mg/day and the other 5mg/day, the primary though 10mg/day was the right starting dose. I stayed with 5mg. Within 10 days or so my Free T4 was within range. A few months later my TSH was coming up. My TSH got to the high end of the range and I started having some depression and muscle cramps, so they lowered my dose. Now, I am on 2.5mg every other day and it's keeping my level. Good drug, I would say try it."

• Kenny
• May 10, 2019

"I have constant headaches, everyday! My left arm, hand, side of my neck goes numb and my body aches. I hate and don’t know what other alternatives there are out there besides some unknown mixture of chemicals that can cause liver failure and or death. This is the worst treatment option for anything that is suppose to help you. I absolutely think this medication is harming me more than helping me."

• Joann
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

"Was so scared to try methimazole after reading some people's results on here. But was so sick I had to start it. After about the 5th day I noticed I was starting to feel better. I'm so glad I started this medicine. I'm feeling so much better and no side effects at all."

• Dee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2019

"I was prescribed low dose to treat hyperthyroidism. My T4 and T3 were normal but TSH 0.01. After one month I stopped taking. Horrible back and joint pain, my hands are numb, constant headache and weight gain. Can’t recommend this medication"

• hawai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2013

"I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism two years ago and an endocrinologist suggested Methimazole. I started on a lower dose and went in for blood work every three months and after about one year of tapering the medication I was taken off. The only side effect I noticed was the weight gain and some very heavy menstrual bleeding which has since resolved. I still have the extra weight but I no longer suffer from palpitations and tremors. This medicine worked well for me and I'm awaiting my tests to see if my thyroid function is still normal."

• Whate...
• June 16, 2019

"I'm 29 years old male. I take methimazole for almost 4 months now. At first I had some slight side effects, but fortunately they are gradually going away as my dose is. I was initially on 30mg/day now I'm at 10mg/day as 2x5mg/day. I lost around 5 kg from the hyperthyroidism but now I've gained those back even +1 kg more. This med has worked pretty well on me and I don't have much( if not any) side effects now. I plan to use this medicine as long as it is needed and not go RAI. The only con is that I have to do lab tests often and I willingly do labs 1 time every month, until I go in the maintenance long term dose. Last time I did labs I was going almost hypo - FT4= 12.7(10.3-23.1) so I reduced the dose from 20mg to 10mg. My TSH has never changed and is still <0.02, but I don't care because I feel fine now. I was on metoprolol but I stopped that weeks ago. Let me tell you I feel just fine right now, I really love this med and I've never missed a dose. It works just perfect with me."

• Autoi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2019

"I was on this methimazole medication for 3 weeks before I broke out into hives/rash on my feet, knees, hips, arms, wrists and back. I have sensitive skin so I'm used to being itchy, but this was the worst I've ever been - scratched my skin until it bled. It's been 3 weeks since I stopped taking it and my skin is STILL reacting with itching and red patches. Benedryl did nothing, but thankfully I was prescribed Atarax which saved my life. I have zero interest in trying this medication again, even though my Doctors want me to. Not sure what to do next as all my symptoms (tremors, insomnia, sweating, constant hunger, brain fog) have returned."

• Shake...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 26, 2012

"I have Grave's disease with a small node in my thyroid. Five Dr.'s that I went to, as the previous reviewer stated wanted to radiate and kill my thyroid which would require meds for hypothyroid for the rest of my life. I then found an endocrinologist who suggested that the node was small and that a small dosage of this medicine may control it. I was monitored very closely and went into remission after 2 years. After being okay for another 5 years my thyroid went hyper again and I was put back on a dosage of 2.5 mg/1x per day. The node has not changed in dimension or mass. So I am not healed but effectively am under control. I also have a very minor symptom of Graves' ophthalmopathy, which this medicine controls as well."

• Tammy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

"Before I got Methimazole I went to the health food store and got liquid iodine and all my symptoms went away. I haven't started the medicine yet. But will go get my blood work to see where my levels are at."

• Kirstn
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 30, 2022

"I’ve been on Methimazole for a year after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease. I felt terrible before the diagnosis. Could not sleep, exhausted, gained weight, could not focus or enjoy my life or work efficiently. About a month after starting 5mg/day I felt so much better. A few months later I dropped to 2.5mg per day and have been in that ever since. I am not in remission but my thyroid levels are normal and I can sleep, have energy, can work and enjoy life. For those who say they’ve gained weight, I have not. I’ve been normal dieting and lost approximately 50lbs while on the medication. Not an issue to lose weight for me."

• Getbe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

"I was on this medication for 2 months I gained 30 pounds in 2 months. Brittle, broken, damaged hair loss. I stopped taking the medication after I got a liver scan, my liver is fatty and my doctor said I have the liver of an obese person. I would not recommend this medication to anyone unless you want to be morbidly obese."