Methimazole and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been on methimazole for hypothyroidism and Graves' disease for one year now. I have noticed side effects like extreme hair loss, bloating, constipation, upset stomach, fatigue, joint pain, and weight gain. I'm almost in remission now and can't wait to get off methimazole. I have also started seeing a naturopathic doctor and I'm absolutely amazed at the natural health benefits of food for hypothyroidism, I would highly recommend a naturopathic doctor to anyone"

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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, numbness, 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, weight gain, and tiredness and maintain a healthy thyroid. Has anyone had this?"

• Can...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "Yes, your hair will grow back. I was on methimazole for 2 years, and my hair thinned a lot. Then I went into 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 for 9 years, my Graves' disease is back, and I had to go back on methimazole. This time around, I’m only on 5 mg, but I’m having a terrible time losing weight even with a 1200 calorie/day diet. I’m wondering if it caused water retention or if it’s just impossible to lose weight on it. :("

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been on this med for a month now. It has thinned out my hair and made me gain weight. I have never had a weight issue in my life. I have pain in my muscles and tooth sensitivity. I feel tired all the time. I can't wait to get off this med."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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."

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

For Hyperthyroidism "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."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I had Graves' disease 25 years ago, and now again. This time, heart palpitations, shaking, hot all the time, lost 18 lbs in one month, sleepless nights. Started on 5 mg methimazole once a day. Immediately I started feeling better. I had hair loss, weight gain, depression, fatigue, and muscle pain. I have been on it for just over 1 year. For the past 4 months, my T3 and T4 have been normal, however, my TSH has dropped to 0.05. When I was taking 2.5 mg, my TSH was 0.30. I have now developed an eczema-type rash on 1 elbow, 1 knee, and on my toe. I think it is too much methimazole, but the doctor feels differently. I am supposed to be taking 5 mg, however, I am only taking 2.5 mg and have noticed my skin getting better. I am also a smoker, and I have found out that smoking can cause Graves' disease. 25 years ago, I was on methimazole for 8 months and quit smoking, Graves went into remission. Trying to quit again. Good luck to all with this disease."

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "My hands were trembling, and leg muscles were weak, hair loss and 62 lbs lost. I was diagnosed with Graves. I started a low dose of methimazole 5 mg and kept doing labs, increasing 5 more mg at a time. I am now at a 30 mg dose, which my doctor considers a high dose and thinks it’s time to radiate the thyroid as I’m not in remission. Side effects were itching, slight nausea, joints aching all over instead of usual arthritic hands. Immediate and continuous weight gain every time I increase the dose. Feeling kind of lazy and sleepy. My labs are all normal, but I’m getting a goiter-like thing in my neck. But it’s been 2 years, so I will take the radioactive meds and switch to thyroid hormones. Would be interested in knowing how the radioactive swallow works out for others. Did side effects cease? They say there are no side effects after the radiation, whereas with the methimazole, you can have liver and kidney damage over too long a period."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "After waking up each morning with my right eye swollen, I went to an ophthalmologist and was placed on a prescription eye drop. My condition became worse. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in September 2020 and had an ultrasound on my thyroid, and thank God no nodules. I was placed on Methimazole 10 mg. It seems like my symptoms have gotten worse, and my thyroid has become slightly bigger. I have night sweats, chronic itchy hives, swollen face, lips, pain in joints, blurred vision, and brittle hair. I was a beautiful woman, however, this condition has extremely altered my appearance. I have an upcoming appointment with an endocrinologist in hopes I can be helped."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 3, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been taking this medicine every day since July 2016. I have Graves’ disease. I have gained 15 lbs in 2.5 years. I have heavy periods now that last more than 8 days. My hair is thin, my skin looks like rubbish, and my joints on my hands and feet hurt. I also have brain fog now. I hate this medicine, but I take it every day to avoid radioactive iodine. Really not simple solutions for people like me who have Graves’ disease."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2018

For Hyperthyroidism "I do not like methimazole. I have been on it for 6 months, and my labs came back normal only one out of the six months. I was still told by the doctor to keep taking it. This drug has been very hard on my teeth, and I can't stand the weight gain and hair loss. I'm not having my thyroid removed or radioactive iodine stuff at this time, and also I'm being told hyperthyroidism is sending me into early menopause. So I am having my battles with the disease as well as the side effects from the methimazole. If you can avoid it, do not STRESS!!"

• Tal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 7, 2020

For Hyperthyroidism "I got prescribed methimazole for Graves' disease. Took the medication like I was supposed to, and everything seems to be fine except for some side effects, which are hair loss, weight gain, and sweating. But I do wonder if there is another medication they could put me on so I could lose more weight."

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2023

For Hyperthyroidism "I have been taking methimazole daily for hyperthyroid for several months now. I do not know whether I have experienced side effects because I take another drug which also causes joint pain and inflammation. I was already experiencing hair shedding before starting as well, which I think has something to do with my thyroid issue. However, it has helped with the high heart rate that I was experiencing due to the hyperthyroid. Now, several months later, my blood test is indicating that my TSH is actually high, hypo. I will see what my doctor suggests from here."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

For Hyperthyroidism "I have Grave's disease causing hyperthyroidism and was on it from May to Oct. I have the tooth sensitivity issue really bad. Why don't the doctors and dentists know? I gained ten lbs back. I could stay up all night. But I think it helped that I exercised an hour each day. I'm off for only four days and now I'm tired and achy. I'm also on Toprol. My TSH is over now and my T4 is too low, but my Endo took me off of the methimazole for now. I'm happy about this because I don't like drugs. My hair is falling out and the texture is actually getting straighter. I think I had some other side effects, but I can't remember. I felt so horrible for a year, so at least I know it's Grave's disease hyperthyroidism... and not GCA or vertigo. It's been hell, so do the drug even a little. But sore throats should be reported immediately along with fevers. In May, I was on ten, then 20, then 30, then ten due to liver damage, then ten, now off in Oct."

• CoC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

For Hyperthyroidism "I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism/Graves in Oct 2019. I am on methimazole 10 mg a day. Hair thinning. Does anyone have a report of the hair growing back?"