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Need Info On T3 For Hypothyroidism

kimis

By kimis
in Related Issues & Disorders

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kimis Collaborator
kimis
Posted

I just got a scrip for Cytomel and I don't know if I should spring for the brand. I don't mind spending extra if the brand is really better. Also, if you have any inspirational stories about how much better you felt after adding t3....I would love to hear them!!!!!!!

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Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I just got a scrip for Cytomel and I don't know if I should spring for the brand. I don't mind spending extra if the brand is really better. Also, if you have any inspirational stories about how much better you felt after adding t3....I would love to hear them!!!!!!!

I've been taking 5 mcg of cytomel twice a day since around 2007 in addition to my levothyroxine(I'm currently taking 112 mcg/day). I couldn't believe the difference it made for me. There is a generic form made by paddock labs. I checked when my insurance wanted me to switch. I believe both brands are gluten free and I take the generic without any problems. Of course I have not checked with them in awhile but all you have to do is call the company to reverify. My endocrinologist put me on it because, despite adequate t4 supplementation, my free T3 was still on the low side. Since adding it I tend to feel better with a slightly lower TSH and slightly elevated free T3. However, it is a very individual thing and your doctor and you need to find your balance

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I've been taking 5 mcg of cytomel twice a day since around 2007 in addition to my levothyroxine(I'm currently taking 112 mcg/day). I couldn't believe the difference it made for me. There is a generic form made by paddock labs. I checked when my insurance wanted me to switch. I believe both brands are gluten free and I take the generic without any problems. Of course I have not checked with them in awhile but all you have to do is call the company to reverify. My endocrinologist put me on it because, despite adequate t4 supplementation, my free T3 was still on the low side. Since adding it I tend to feel better with a slightly lower TSH and slightly elevated free T3. However, it is a very individual thing and your doctor and you need to find your balance

I couldn't agree with this post more! Many people need to take T3, along with T4 and I am one of them. Like yourself, I try to keep my TSH suppressed and the T3/T4 in the upper ranges, otherwise I feel like I'm in slow motion.

Generic brands work just as well for many people. It's the same med as the brand name. You just have to make sure it's gluten-free but, generally, one doesn't work better than another. I have never used Cytomel but have used generics in the past with great success.

kimis Collaborator
kimis
Posted
  • Author

I have been looking for a Dr. to prescribe t3 to me for a year. When I finally gave up one feel right in my lap. She seems great and she spent alot of time with me. I was so happy when I left her office...I felt like I was finally going to feel like me again. I filled my script right away, but something is holding me back from starting it. I think I am afraid to be let down. The possibility of feeling better is wonderful....but what if it dosen't work? Or what if I start getting heart palps and I just freak out? Why am I being such a baby about this...I want to smack myself! It's only 5mcg I will be adding to 25mcg of synthroid.....WTF is my problem?

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I have been looking for a Dr. to prescribe t3 to me for a year. When I finally gave up one feel right in my lap. She seems great and she spent alot of time with me. I was so happy when I left her office...I felt like I was finally going to feel like me again. I filled my script right away, but something is holding me back from starting it. I think I am afraid to be let down. The possibility of feeling better is wonderful....but what if it dosen't work? Or what if I start getting heart palps and I just freak out? Why am I being such a baby about this...I want to smack myself! It's only 5mcg I will be adding to 25mcg of synthroid.....WTF is my problem?

T3 has a relative short half life. My endocrinologist told me that the dose divided would keep the levels in the blood more stable. It is very fast acting, so if you have symptoms of overmedication, the dose can be tweeked very easily and quickly unlike the t4 meds which can take anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks to level.

  • 2 weeks later...
kimis Collaborator
kimis
Posted
  • Author

Has anyone lost weight after adding t3?

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted

I love my T3. I take 20mcg 2 x day and feel the best I have felt in ages. I started slowly with 10mcg and now just take 20mcg. I have started to lose weight that didn't budge with Armour or T4 meds. My eyes look like I have had eye lift surgery :D Years younger :) I noticed my ankles were less puffy as well yesterday... Love it , love it, love it !!!!

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kimis Collaborator
kimis
Posted
  • Author

I love my T3. I take 20mcg 2 x day and feel the best I have felt in ages. I started slowly with 10mcg and now just take 20mcg. I have started to lose weight that didn't budge with Armour or T4 meds. My eyes look like I have had eye lift surgery :D Years younger :) I noticed my ankles were less puffy as well yesterday... Love it , love it, love it !!!!

Do you take a total of 40mcg or 20mcg per day? How far apart do you space them? When it's almost time for your next dose do you feel like you need it? How long before you noticed the weight loss? How much levo do you take and is it brand? Sorry I have so many questions. How long did you try armour for? LASTLY...Where do you like your TSH to be?

Thanks

mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

I'm moving to the eastern part of the state! I was on cytomel for about ten months & never felt so well in my whole life. The I went into a thyroid storm & they would not give it to me again. I now have no thyroid function as I had no choice but to swallow the ra . I was in intensive care for two weeks - almost didn't make it. Now I go into A-Fib every so often for no rhyme or reason so no cytomel.

The heart doc thinks my thyroid needs a new med besides synthroid but thyroid doc will not budge. I'm on my second thyroid doc...no one will listen.

I lost weight & went back to my normal weight. Now, I'm 20# over weight & I can't drop it.

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted

Yes - a total of 40mcg. I started at 10 then 20 then 30 over weeks ... 40 seems to be the best. I have a great thyroid Dr who I can discuss all this with. I take one in the morning and can feel when it is time for the next - usually midday or early afternoon. I haven't lost 'much' weight but just look different. Not as puffy / eyes bright/ hair glossy etc. I have been gaining weight steadily for 3 years on Armour and nothing could slow it down. The T3 has stopped any weight gain and seems to be reversing it slowly. I have taken 100mcg T4 ,then was up to 4 grains of Armour at one stage... . Nothing seemed to work until I got T3 meds and lowered the T4 meds.

We don't look at my TSH. I have Pituitary low Thyroid so the TSH is meaningless. My levels of Free T4 and Free T3 are midrange to high midrange. Could be a touch higher but we are going slowly with this last change of meds.

Do you take a total of 40mcg or 20mcg per day? How far apart do you space them? When it's almost time for your next dose do you feel like you need it? How long before you noticed the weight loss? How much levo do you take and is it brand? Sorry I have so many questions. How long did you try armour for? LASTLY...Where do you like your TSH to be?

Thanks

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