General Medicine

» Lorrie76 - Medication

Hi,

I have been taking Tapazole for over a year now 5 a day of 5 mg. My blood tests are normal now when do I cut back or stop. I have Strabismus and the surgeon is hoping to correct this in May 2007 can't wait. He has also suggested I see another internist for a second opinion regarding treatment options. Should my Thyroid be radiated ?

-- posted by Lorrie76

» Elaine Moore - Medication

In response to Medication posted by Lorrie76:
Hi Lorri,
The usual starting dose for Tap is 10-30 mg day. This dose is used for the first 6-8 weeks, at which time the FT4 level should be normal. At this time the dose is cut and over time gradually reduced. By 8 weeks after starting meds, the recommended dose is 2.5-10.0 mg daily.
The problem with doses that are too high is that although levels may be in range, if they're too low for your body's needs you'll have symptoms of hypothyroidism and be at risk for thyroid eye symptoms.
For most people, TSH will remain low, often to .01 mu/L for a long time. This doesn't mean you're still hyperthyroid. Usually, if TSH has risen into the normal range, you're hypothyroid from being overmedicated.
I'd suggest that you get a copy of your last lab results and look carefully at your FT4 and FT3 levels. You want them to be near the high end of the range. Like with a range of 0.8-1.8 ng/dl for FT4, you'd want a level of at least 1.6.

I'd start with checking levels and then making sure you're on the lowest dose of Tap needed to keep FT4 where you want it. I suspect this will help your eye symptoms as well.
When eye symptoms are present, it's best to avoid radiation because of its tendency to worsen eye symptoms.
Best, Elaine

» snickers1 - Question about treatment

I was recently diagnoised with a mild case of Graves Disease and started taking 50mg of PTU twice a day. I am anxious to get pregnant within the next 6 months to a year. I am tempted to go the RAI route instead, since the out come is more successful. I am willing to wait the 6 months after treatment to try to conceive. I've heard mixed information about being on PTU and getting pregnant. Any suggestions or information would be helpful. My endo did say that I have a good chance of remission with PTU, but it's hard to tell how long it will last after going off meds. And how long I would have to be on the PTU for it to work.
Thanks,
Carolyn

-- posted by snickers1