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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Prolonged Intake Of Methimazole Advisable To Treat Hyperthyroidism?

Hi, My daughter, 14 years was diagnosed of Graves Disease-Hyperthyroidism. She is under medication of Methimazole since March 2016 and consistently seeing the doctor for monitoring. As her pedia-endo would say, that this is a lifetime illness and would just continue medication to control the symptoms.The doctor also said, if we want to consider radioactive iodine to shrink the thryroid gland and would possibly make her hypo than hyper. We preferred to continue medication to control since we are hesitant of the radioactive iodine and we want to give time at least a year or more for medication coz we are hoping that for God s help, my daughter will get to normal. My question is, is it ok for us to continue medication til lifetime in case my daughter s hyperthyroidism will be active lifetime. My worry is, it might affect her liver. Please enlighten me. Thank you.
posted on Sat, 6 Aug 2016
Twitter Wed, 24 Jul 2019 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 25 Jul 2019 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Methimazole is a medication for hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid produces more hormone than it should). Unfortunately, hyperthyroidism is a chronic condition and the treatment is needed lifetime unless radiotherapy or surgery is done. These risk low thyroid later and need for thyroid hormones all her life.

Methimazole, as any other drug has side effects. In a few cases, the liver can be affected but it is not very common.
If she develops any jaundice or dark urine she will need to let her doctor know as soon as possible (this is not very often the case though).

I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
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Is Prolonged Intake Of Methimazole Advisable To Treat Hyperthyroidism?

Hello, Methimazole is a medication for hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid produces more hormone than it should). Unfortunately, hyperthyroidism is a chronic condition and the treatment is needed lifetime unless radiotherapy or surgery is done. These risk low thyroid later and need for thyroid hormones all her life. Methimazole, as any other drug has side effects. In a few cases, the liver can be affected but it is not very common. If she develops any jaundice or dark urine she will need to let her doctor know as soon as possible (this is not very often the case though). I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician