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How long for Antithyroid Meds to bring levels to normal?

I got my results back today on my levels and they are switching me from PTU to 20mgs of Tapazole. They said my TSH levels were still very low. I have been on PTU for 7 wks now. I feel a lot better too, is this normal for the antithyroid meds to take a while to kick in? They also told me after they get in my system good that it just takes some tweaking to get the dosages right. I will be glad when things start to look better for me. I have a feeling I am going to get tired of having my blood took all of the time to check for levels. I guess I had better get used to it!
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with gd and put on meth its been a week now and i feel worse  how long to feel better
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Avatar universal
Hey lil dollie, I hope the transition between meds goes well for you.  I have been on methimazole for more than three weeks so far and am feeling quite a bit better (although I suspect it's the beta-blocker that's really helping relieve the symptoms at the moment).  I had a few days of itchiness that drove me mad, but it went away after about a week.  I'll have a day or two here or there where my palpitations are significantly worse or I'll have diarrhea like crazy, but I always recover...hopefully those days will just become further and far between.

It takes a while to achieve euthyroid on these drugs, but once we do, there's a pretty good chance we'll be in remission.  If not, there's always RAI as a fallback; that's how I look at it.

Hoping you're doing well otherwise...
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your answers. I do feel a lot better, I feel as though nothing is wrong with me except for being hot. They have worked as far as making me feel good. I am gaining weight, no more shakey feeling, not as anxious as I was. It is just my levels are still off after 7 wks of the PTU. My nurse told me even when they get in your system good, it can still take another 4 to 8 wks for your levels to start returning to normal, but they still have to tweak it every now and then.  I just wish my levels would hurry up and start changing some. I know I am probably rushing this and I know this will be a long process. I guess I will have to look forward to taking medication for the rest of my life. If I am not hyper, eventually I will be hypo like my mother, aunt and uncle. They have to take Synthroid for the rest of theirs. Well I will quit ranting and raving now. Thanks again for the answers!
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Avatar universal
It takes about 4 weeks with ATDs.  But once getting your levels there and then staying there after you are off them, is another matter.

Ya, I understand levels should be checked every 4 weeks  for 18 to 24 months or until the goal is achieved, which ever comes first.

Lots of luck to you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>


Just my personal opinion and/or experience. Always discuss your health issue with your doctor , always adhere to your doctors advise and, you always have the right to a second opinion. Nothing is a 100% or a 100%, 100% of the time. However, we are not all alike!

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1997 - MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease
1999 -  Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyperfunctioning nodule)
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)
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Avatar universal
I dont know much about the med you are on but I know everyone responds differently to their meds.Some folks take longer than others to get the full effect.Hang in there and give it time to do its thing.
Love Venora
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