Do I need T3 as well as T4?

[Sheila]

I am hypothyroid and have been taking Levoxyl for several years. My tests come back fine, but I still feel slightly low on my thyroid. I recently read a great book called The Thyroid Solution, and it talked about adding T3 to the T4 dose to get rid of the other "hypo" symptoms. My doctor has prescribed Cytomel for me to try. He asked me to take my ususal dose of Levoxyl and add 5mcg of Cytomel (once a day). The book that I read talked about cutting back on the Levoxyl and adding the Cytomel(2 or 3 times a day to keep it in the system). I hate to act like I know more than the doctor on the subject, but just wondering if anyone else had tried this. Is it going to be too much with not cutting back on the Levoxyl? Is once a day going to be ok? I read that I might get a SURGE of T3 and then it will be out of my system by later in the day. Any advice would be helpful. I am starting the Cytomel tomorrow morning.

[Kathy]

My doctor cut my synthroid back by 5 mg then added cytomel twice a day. I could see a dramatic improvement within a few days of taking the cytomel twice a day. This past weekend I forgot both afternoon doses and really started dragging and haven't bounced back as of noon today. I would just make sure your doctor checks your levels within a few weeks to make sure you aren't getting too much. Hyperthyroid is so much more severe than hypo.

[Diana]

Yes, take the cytomel morning and afternoon. I have been fighting this for 9 years I just finally found a doctor that gets this. We lowered the synthroid and did twice a day cytomel 10 mcg am and 5 mcg at 3pm. It works on fatigue and hopefully weight, we'll see. I have had the same doctor problems for years. Keep at it...good luck

[Lea]

Diana wrote:

Yes, take the cytomel morning and afternoon. I have been fighting this for 9 years I just finally found a doctor that gets this. We lowered the synthroid and did twice a day cytomel 10 mcg am and 5 mcg at 3pm. It works on fatigue and hopefully weight, we'll see. I have had the same doctor problems for years. Keep at it...good luck

I have been taking levothroid and cytomel for about 3 years now. I take 5mcg of cytomel at 10:00 a.m. and another 5 mcg. no later than 2:00 p.m. It has helped immensely. Less fatigue, etc. My doctor also mentioned that cytomel, while definitely not an antidepressant, does seem to help with depression. Sure enough, I tried going off of it for about 2 months, and I experienced a lowering of mood and energy. I felt awful. It is important to take the meds exactly as prescribed and not skip dosages. Luckily, I have a very enlightened doctor who keeps up on the latest research.

[Chaundra]

Does anyone know of a god online pharmacy where can get this without my Dr.'s RX. Unfortunately- she is not enlightened and will not listen to me. My bbt is 96.5 most mornings and I show all the signs of hypo...What kills me is that I am on 150mg of levothroid because my thyroid was removed through radiation---and she still won't listen to how fatigued I am (among other symptoms) because "my levels look good". But I don't feel good. Any advice??

[John]

My doctor was not interested in hearing about how I felt, only that my numbers looked good. Finally after a frank discussion he added a low dose once a day T-3 and said that since I was not a woman he believed I felt as bad as I said I did. He actuaaly said he does not believe women about their thyroid problems because all they want to do is lose weight. I changed doctors.

[Chaundra]

Thank you, John. It has been a frustrating time. I am not "overweight" I wear a six 6/8---but I have gained 10 pounds and was a size 4/6 last summer. I am not trying to lose weight- I just don't want to gain more because of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. I recently suffered a miscarriage, as well. I just can't get anyone to understand that I know it's my thyroid. It's frustrating because I don't even have a thyroid---you would think that they would be more open to my health issues.

[BPCN]

Hi:
I hope I'm not too late in responding to your email since you've probably already started your Cytomel. My endocrinologist is the individual who wrote the book you referenced, The Thyroid Solution.
Before I saw Dr. Arem, I was taking just T4 (Synthroid). He switched me to a REDUCED level of T4 and added a very low dose of Cytomel. Cytomel is most effective when taken 2 or three times a day. I don't know what your current dosage is, but if need be, you can get a pill cutter and cut the Cytomel in half. if you take a low dose.
It's important to continue to have a complete thyroid panel done to see what the addition of Cytomel does to your T3, T4 and TSH numbers. Most often an endocrinologist will reduce the T4 supplementation with the addition of Cytomel, since Cytomel is pure T3 and Synthroid contains both, since T4 is converted into T3.
I am doing better on the T3/T4 protocol(Dr. Arem's/the author's recommendation), than on just T4 (Synthroid) alone. With the addition of Cytomel, my Synthroid was simultaneously reduced by half. If your doctor hasn't reduced your Synthroid, watch your numbers carefully. If you move toward hyperthyroidism, reduce your synthetic T4 intake to accommodate the increase in T3 in your system.
I've been wrestling with thyroid issues for 20 years. The book you reference, The Thyroid Solution, and seeing a knowledgeable endocrinologist (Dr. Arem) got me on the correct path. Hope your results are similar. Good luck.

[Jerry]

My doctor never did sit down and ask me how I felt, just relied on test results. I don't think I need test results, how I feel is the best indication of what is good for me. I now feel great, ordered cytomel overseas without a prescription and stopped taking levothyroxine and now take Armour Thyroid. I don't take cytomel anymore, only 2.5 grains of Armour Thyroid. I feel that most doctors don't know anything about hypothyroidism except what they read and I am able to read and diagnose for myself. How I feel tells me everything I need to know about how to treat hypothyroidism symptoms and as long as I can get my meds without a
prescription I will continue this technique.

[Suedufu]

Hi all ~ I'm only 4 months into the Thy meds rollercoaster. But, I've learned A LOT about myself & how you have to be AGRESSIVE w/ Dr's out of shear survival! Left lobe of thy was removed due to enlargement.
Started Synthroid Feb 06. Within 3-4 weeks, I got only 2-4 hours sleep & went from just moody to feeling like I was taking DEPRESSANTS. Week 5 I asked Doc for Armour (my Mom takes it), she refused, KNOWING my side-effects & DID NOT offer an alternative. Went thru all the stages: sorry for myself, MAD, then willing to DO something. So I found another Dr. who gave me Armour w/o blinking an eye.
But when labs w/ new Dr came back t3/4's barely IN range & TSH doubled, she perscribed L-thyroxine.(at the time I didn't know that was Syn by another name --- my insurance gives generic if Dr doesn't specify -- Syn / L-thy = Levothyroxine, I wasn't going back to just T4 med due to side-effects) After I realized (above) called nurse back saying I CANNOT go back to T4, so Dr put me on Cytomel. I'm two weeks into taking Cyt (25 mcg's 6 am, 12 mcg's 1 pm) and feel pretty good. Cytomel surpresses TSH & goiters - both are probs of mine.

This experience has taught me NOT to except their answers. How I FEEL should be more important than just the numbers on the labwork. We patients need to educate OURSLEVES, as we really are our OWN BEST advacates. Has anyone read Mary Shomon or visited her website? She's a Thyroid advocate, author & PATIENT herself.

[Suedufu]

Forgot to mention that it was like night and DAY going from Synthroid to Armour, felt HUMAN again getting some T3's. I'm now on just Cytomel & that seems to working for me. Bloodwork in 2 1/2 weeks will show how well Cyt is working FOR me.

Synthroid worked AGAINST me ,,,

[Ann]

Suedufu wrote:

Forgot to mention that it was like night and DAY going from Synthroid to Armour, felt HUMAN again getting some T3's. I'm now on just Cytomel & that seems to working for me. Bloodwork in 2 1/2 weeks will show how well Cyt is working FOR me.
Synthroid worked AGAINST me ,,,

You stated previously that you had a lobe removed.? Do you still have residual thyroid function. I had a total thyroidectomy 1 year ago do to graves disease as well as hashimotos thyroiditis and failure to respond to anti drugs, and have had my ups and downs and am considering t3 as an option with my hormone replacement, and if it is that big of a change for people with residual function I hope it could do wonders for me. My energy levels have recently plumeted. Anybody with total thyroidec have info on t3?

[Molly Fettig]

7 yrs ago I have a total thyroidectomy due to cancer. 2yrs ago had another surgery with some residual thyroid cancer removed. All this time I have been on levoxyl, except when I do the I-131 treatment. This time I have a cancer recurrence again and in preparation for the treatment again, my endocronoligist tool me off the levoxyl,(159) and now I take cytomel 25 mg twice a day. Before (2 other times) preparing for the treatment, I was very tired. This time the cytomel had kept me full of energy, with no weight gain....hooray! July 2, I have to go off the cytomel and will be without anything for the next 3-4 weeks, along with the low iodine diet, that leads to weight gain for me, plus being hypothyroid. Point being, this is the first time I used cytomel...and it is GREAT!

[Sheila]

Chaundra wrote:

Does anyone know of a god online pharmacy where can get this without my Dr.'s RX. Unfortunately- she is not enlightened and will not listen to me. My bbt is 96.5 most mornings and I show all the signs of hypo...What kills me is that I am on 150mg of levothroid because my thyroid was removed through radiation---and she still won't listen to how fatigued I am (among other symptoms) because "my levels look good". But I don't feel good. Any advice??

You sound exactly like me! I have been on 175 mcg of Levoxyl for quite a while but didn't feel good. My levels were "within range"...I read the book "the Thyroid Solution" and learned of the T3. I started on it a few months ago and noticed am IMMEDIATE improvement in mood and energy level (NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE). After a month or so, I was having some HYPO symptoms and cut back on the levoxyl to 150 mcg and now feel fine. My advice to you is to find a new doctor. Don't give up until you find one that will help you! My marriage is better, my weight is better, and I am a better MOM becuase I am not so tired, crabby, and depressed. It is a life-changing drug for me.

[Sheila]

John wrote:

My doctor was not interested in hearing about how I felt, only that my numbers looked good. Finally after a frank discussion he added a low dose once a day T-3 and said that since I was not a woman he believed I felt as bad as I said I did. He actuaaly said he does not believe women about their thyroid problems because all they want to do is lose weight. I changed doctors.

I HATE your doctor! I have been to many doctors that are just like him. I am on my 3rd endocronologist for the same reasons. I say there are a lot of doctors out there and you have to keep looking until you find the right fit. You know when it doesn't work and when it does. I'm glad you changed doctors. What a jerk he is!

[Sheila]

Ann wrote:

<quoted text>
You stated previously that you had a lobe removed.? Do you still have residual thyroid function. I had a total thyroidectomy 1 year ago do to graves disease as well as hashimotos thyroiditis and failure to respond to anti drugs, and have had my ups and downs and am considering t3 as an option with my hormone replacement, and if it is that big of a change for people with residual function I hope it could do wonders for me. My energy levels have recently plumeted. Anybody with total thyroidec have info on t3?

I had radioactive iodine treatment and have NO thyroid output anymore. I have been on Levoxyl (150) and Cytomel (5 mcg) for a few months and feel great. I was on just Levoxyl(175) and felt awful. I was depressed and had NO energy even though my levels tested fine. I get me levels tested again in a month or so but I can tell you they will be good...I feel 100% better.

[Ann]

I have been on Levoxyl 137 for one year with tsh level of 1.37. a few months ago i started feeling cruddy, I got the ball rolling on my yearly check-up went for my labs and my tsh is now 7.19. Doc upped me to 150 of levoxyl i test again in 3 weeks and go in to see her. I plan to demand a trial of t3 I still feel absolutely awful most of the time. I am with you shiela on the mother thing, I feel like my physical and emotional abilities at the moment are taking a toll on the fun energetic mommy i was 2 years ago. I just want to feel better so i can play tag. I am also concerned about my cortisol level, has anyone had problems with it? Sure my tsh is high and I know it is the cause of most of what i am feeling, but I am constantly dizzy nauseated and have lost weight. the reason for my thyroidec was uncontrollable hyperthyroid, however I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease as well as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Sheila wrote:

<quoted text>
I had radioactive iodine treatment and have NO thyroid output anymore. I have been on Levoxyl (150) and Cytomel (5 mcg) for a few months and feel great. I was on just Levoxyl(175) and felt awful. I was depressed and had NO energy even though my levels tested fine. I get me levels tested again in a month or so but I can tell you they will be good...I feel 100% better.

[Cleo]

Jerry can you share your source for getting Armour with out a prescription?

Jerry wrote:

My doctor never did sit down and ask me how I felt, just relied on test results. I don't think I need test results, how I feel is the best indication of what is good for me. I now feel great, ordered cytomel overseas without a prescription and stopped taking levothyroxine and now take Armour Thyroid. I don't take cytomel anymore, only 2.5 grains of Armour Thyroid. I feel that most doctors don't know anything about hypothyroidism except what they read and I am able to read and diagnose for myself. How I feel tells me everything I need to know about how to treat hypothyroidism symptoms and as long as I can get my meds without a
prescription I will continue this technique.

[sue]

u had a thyroid out and not on any thyroid hormone and i feel great

[Ann]

sue wrote:

u had a thyroid out and not on any thyroid hormone and i feel great

how long ago did you have yours removed. I know when i had my done i had the false hopes of feeling great for the first few weeks and then my body realized the hormone was gone, and felt low.