Do I need T3 as well as T4?

[Barbara]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your input. My TSH was .14 which was on the low side, so I think I was taking a little too much Synthroid at .137. I am starting to feel human again and it's been almost a week on the .112 and 5mcg cytomel. I hope I don't lapse back into lethargy in another 5 weeks - which has happened before. Once you find the right dose, does it stay that way or does the medicine(dosage)constantly have to be changed?

[Ann]

Hi Barbara,

Glad i could share my experiences with you. I hope you stay feeling human. As for finding the right dose, I suppose it is possible it could stay the same, however very unlikely. That is the main reason for the yearly exam, in my case I go twice yearly, I have already changed dose 4 times. That why it is very important to have doc who trusts in what you tell them about how you feel, and that you trust in their concern for how you feel. Your dose also depends on other meds you take and when you take them. I take birth control pills which is a big part of my high dose, the estrogen affects how much thyroid hormone I need, and if I come off of it my dose should lower, and if I were to have another baby my dose would be raised even more. So I don't think there is a perfect dose, just a good dose for now. I feel fantastic now, I have been on my current Dose 125mcg t4 and 5mcg t3 nearly three months. But I too had felt fanstastic following my thyroidectomy for about four months and then I totally crashed and my meds needed to be raised 25 mcg. And it was that specific crash and dose adjustment where I realized "wow, this condition it for life, I am going to be giving blood and taking meds for life, and to live" So I figured you know what, if thats the case, the least I am going to do for myself is make sure I am feeling the best I know I can. You know how they say when its broke you can fix it but it won't ever be the same. But it can be the best it can be. I check this site pretty often, let me know how your new dose goes for you.

Barbara wrote:

Hi Ann,
Thanks for your input. My TSH was .14 which was on the low side, so I think I was taking a little too much Synthroid at .137. I am starting to feel human again and it's been almost a week on the .112 and 5mcg cytomel. I hope I don't lapse back into lethargy in another 5 weeks - which has happened before. Once you find the right dose, does it stay that way or does the medicine(dosage)constantly have to be changed?

[FredrickVonFredr ickson]

Hello chappies,
sorry to hear your horrendous stories about cytomel [t3]
I use cytomel for fat loss as i am a bodybuilder and it works wonders on reducing fat as it speeds up ones metabolism, so i suggest you up the dose and burn the flab.

[Ann]

FredrickVonFredrickson wrote:

Hello chappies,
sorry to hear your horrendous stories about cytomel [t3]
I use cytomel for fat loss as i am a bodybuilder and it works wonders on reducing fat as it speeds up ones metabolism, so i suggest you up the dose and burn the flab.

Our "stories" don't really have a whole lot to do with "burning flab" thanks.... Our meds or atleast mine are a need to live.

[Sue]

I'm 7 months into the Hypo thing. 47 yrs old. Never been sick and have never taken any meds. Originally took .050 of Levothyroxine, then .075 and now .100. Kept increasing dosage thinking it would help. Hasn't. Still have muscle aches, cold hands. The only thing that got better was the itchy eyelids. I'm now convinced that I also need T3. What do you think is better, Levo (Synthrooid) with Cytomel or Armour? My doc is pretty good,(almost too good), lets me call the shots. He's not an endo. I have been researching like crazy. I think what other's who have experienced the symptoms have to say and how I feel are much more important than reading lab results. Thanks for any response.

[Evelyn]

My doctor said I wasn't converting enough T3 so added Cytomel but I am having a lot of problems with palpitations no matter how far down I cut the dose. I hear my heart pounding in my ears (worse at night) and I hate it.

[Sheila]

Kathy wrote:

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.

I've never read that hyperthyroidism is much more severe than hypothyroidism. I can't think of anything being worse than this! The fatigue is overwhelming and severely impacts my life. I just started the Cytomel a few days ago. I'm on a very low dose and taking half of it in the am, and should take the other 1/2 at lunch. But I was so hyper I skipped the afternoon dose. That jittery feeling isn't very pleasant.

[Sue]

Sheila, are you taking anything else with the Cytomel, i.e., Armour, Synthroid ?

[Sue]

I can't believe this worked! I was talking with my sister last night.(she has been hypo for 10 years and been happily on .075 Levothroid all that time) She said that she has recently been experiencing leg muscle cramps. I was telling here that I am still experimenting with my dosage of Levothyroxine to control the muscle cramps. She thought that her sudden muscle cramps were due to a new prescription to lower her high cholestrol. Anyway, she said that she takes Potassium supplements and the muscle cramps have gone away. I decided to try it myself. Today at 10:00am, when I usually start to get the muscle cramping, I ate a medium sized bananaa and it is 5:00pm and I have not gotten the muscle cramps all day! I usually get it every single day. I am going to continue eating a banana and then perhaps switch to potassium supplements and see what happens. This is so simple it's ridiculous!!!!

[Shannon]

I have been on .150 of Synthroid for over 5 years. I went a few weeks ago for a blood test and my family doctor told me about Cytomel. She thought that it might help me to feel normal (whatever that is) again. I have an appointment with my endo on Nov 29 and I am praying that she will give me Cytomel. After reading up on this, I have high hopes that this will work. I just need something that will help me get my energy back and also help me to shed the extra pounds that I can't seem to get rid of. Can someone give me an idea of how long it took to start feeling better and what if any side effects they experienced?

[vivian]

Lea wrote:

<quoted text>
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.

Could you let me know what Dr. you are seeing. I have the same "unenlightened Dr." and need help also.

[Rita]

Post two doses Iodine 131 10 years now. Two years ago I almost died, went to a thousand doctors of all kinds. I have been on levoxyl 100 mg for years. My TSH was 57 thats how hypothyroid I was. I stopped going to doctors and increased my own levoxyl to 375 (three tablets)then before I stopped going to doctors I also got a prescription for 90 grains Armour Thyroid. I take (three tablets)equals 270 grains. I can finally function again for the past 6 months I've become myself again.

[yvette]

i have been through the ringer in san antonio texas trying to find someone who will prescribed armour thyroid. i am also out of money. i have been to several endocrinologist and they want me to continue levoxyl, and cytomel. i still feel lousey, and this has taken away my life. please help.

[Melissa]

I just started taking Levoxyl this month. I am on .50 mg and have noticed some positive changes. Sex drive, etc...I have that 'pear shaped' body, carry weight around my chest and abdomen. Am too young for that type of weight carriage. Will the cytomel help for this?

[Katie]

My Dr. lowered my Levothtroxine and gave me Cytomel with it, when I refused to comply with lowering the Levothyroxine alone. I felt better right away. Now it has been a month and a half and I have the symtoms of hyperthyroidism. I am finally loosing weight, but my hands shake. I have an irregular heart beat, I am tired all the time. Any suggestions?

[Maria]

Katie wrote:

My Dr. lowered my Levothtroxine and gave me Cytomel with it, when I refused to comply with lowering the Levothyroxine alone. I felt better right away. Now it has been a month and a half and I have the symtoms of hyperthyroidism. I am finally loosing weight, but my hands shake. I have an irregular heart beat, I am tired all the time. Any suggestions?

Cut back on your meds and get a thyroid panel done. I was in hyper hell for years due to Graves.Exhaustion is a symptom of hyper as well as hypo.

[Maria]

yvette wrote:

i have been through the ringer in san antonio texas trying to find someone who will prescribed armour thyroid. i am also out of money. i have been to several endocrinologist and they want me to continue levoxyl, and cytomel. i still feel lousey, and this has taken away my life. please help.

This may help you.http://www.armourthyroid.c om/locate.html

[Renee]

I have had Hashimoto's disease for 12 years now. For the first 8 years, I took only T4. My TSH and T4 levels looked great, but I did not feel that way (No weight problem, just physically and mentally tired all of the time). I was soon self medicating taking over 300mg/day and I felt no different. After much research and discussion, I convinced my Dr. to let me try Cytomel, 25 mcg/day. Life has never been the same since - it is actually wonderful!!! It seems that on top of the auto-antibodies diagnosing me with Hashimoto's, I actually have an enzyme defect too - the enzyme that cleaves the T4 to produce the T3 actually creates reverse T3 (RT3) instead, making my thyroid levels appear normal, yet making me feel so horrible. All three (anti-tpo, anti-tbg, RT3) can be tested for if you can convince your Dr.s. Good luck to everyone and there is such a bright rainbow waiting at the end of the tunnel, just keep fighting!

[Paul]

FredrickVonFredrickson wrote:

Hello chappies,
sorry to hear your horrendous stories about cytomel [t3]
I use cytomel for fat loss as i am a bodybuilder and it works wonders on reducing fat as it speeds up ones metabolism, so i suggest you up the dose and burn the flab.

I would be careful messing with my thyroid just for vainity sake. We thyroid patients truely understand what we have lost and would do anything to get thyroid functioning back. Dont mess with your thyroid if yu dont have to. You could regret it severely.
Paul

[ben]

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

yes it does work great 4 weight ive tried both but i like synthroid 100mcg instead 4 weight and fatigue. that dose melts fat before a bodybuilding contest anmd even just plain weight loss. it has a very long half life compared to cytomel 50 mcg to 100mcgs. good luck with it........