I'm just wondering if anyone experienced elevated liver enzymes with taking methimazole? Also, how long after stopping it did it take to normalize?

I did have liver issues but I was also on prednizone and I think that was the cause?
But I did start eating better ( veges etc) and after 6 mo the liver tests were normal.
But that might not answer your question because I can't remember if that was when I was taking methamiazole too? I had my thyroid surgically removed because the drugs would not slow it down?

I know that PTU can have that side effect. I was on it for a 6 months but when we saw that my thyroid related numbers were not under control and my liver numbers were high, the doctors convinced me to have a second round of RAI.

I know the RAI or surgery are not for everyone, but if you are having liver issues you may want to talk to your doctor about other options. I know that I did not want to have the second RAI and thought that anti-thyroid drugs would be the better option. But in the end I am happy with my decision.

Best of luck.

Typically, stopping the drug that may be causing the abnormal numbers will allow the liver to recover. Not always: there can sometimes be a more permanent reason why the liver has problems. But typically, if the abnormal numbers occurred after a drug was started, stopping the drug is beneficial. There are any number of drugs which can interfere with the liver function, including alcohol (wine, liquor) and acetaminophin. If your liver is in distress, stopping any of these can be a help, as well.

Please search the forum for posts by adnere (Alexis).

It is very informative and she is doing well.

Hi!

Yes, I had liver problems with methimazole- I was on 5 mg. daily for 7 weeks. When I had my thyroid levels tested (which ended up being normal after treatment), my liver enzymes were 8 times the normal amount. I had a baseline before taking methimazole, and they were in range then. I was told to stop taking methimazole right away. My liver enzymes were tested 3 days later to make sure they were coming down (which they were). I had them tested again about a month later and they were normal. My dr. also ordered an abdominal ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. Fortunately, everything is fine.

I managed to stay euthyroid for 6 weeks and had my surgery to remove all of my thyroid 8 weeks ago. I am on Synthroid now and doing pretty well. My TSH came down from 6.35 (6 weeks post surgery) to .79 just last week after 1 dose adjustment. My free T4 is in the upper range of normal and I feel pretty good for the most part. I get some headaches, but I think that may be due to life with 4 little boys and homeschooling the older 3 and the youngest being 9 months old! I am grateful I was able to get a thyroidectomy bc I will never have to experience being hyper again. It depends on the person what treatment plan is the best. I tried methimazole and it just didn't work for me bc of the liver issues. I can honestly say I feel better in many ways euthyroid after surgery than I did on methimazole, but then again, maybe the liver enzymes contributed to the off feeling while I was on the meds.

I didn't have any symptoms of elevated enzymes like fever, sore throat, yellow skin, dark urine. It was just discovered on a liver panel. I asked for the lab as I am very sensitive to medicine. Glad I asked! My TSH dropping from 6.35 to .79 in 2 weeks with just a 12 mcg. change in dosing of Synthroid shows that too. I have some medicine allergies too, so if you are sensitive to medication in general and even if not, I would ask for the liver panel when you start ATD's. Good luck!

Alexis