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Thyroid Disorders Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to thyroid issues, goiter, Graves disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Human Growth Hormone (HGH), hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, metabolism, pituitary gland, cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
Cytomel
by Free Bird82, Jan 14, 2007 12:00AM
Hi everyone. Does anyone know if an regular m.d. will ever prescribe Cytomel? I went to my endo who monitored my nodules & he asked how I felt. I told him still pretty crappy. My tsh was down to .45 with still a low T4 (5.9), but my FREE T4 was 1.08. He explained away the low T4 to being my Thyroid Binding Globulin low & said I should only concern myself with Free T4's. Anyway, I am on two separate doses of Synthroid (162mcg. total) & at first felt good - bowel movements good, etc., now after 6 weeks I am back to very small bm's & still lightheaded & have (again no one but us hypos believe this) been exercising 5 miles + each day (which I've always been healthy) & REALLY REALLY CUT DOWN ON EXCESS EATING AND SMALL PORTIONS ETC., & in a weeks time did NOT lose even 1 lb. (since all this began I GAINED 16 lbs.). Anyway endo just said to diet more.....
I asked about lightheadness & he just shook his head ("I don't know). They never took blood pressure or anything. He said since TSH is so low they were not going to increase to 175mcg for me. I am switching my primary docs in a month & was wondering if they even know about cytomel etc. or if everyone that gets this T3 ever gets it from their pcp or from a specialist in thyroid disorders.... I am so frightened about putting on so much weight since I've tried so damn (sorry) hard to keep it off in the first place. I've always had to watch & this just stinks. Plus have palpitations & tiredness still!
I asked about lightheadness & he just shook his head ("I don't know). They never took blood pressure or anything. He said since TSH is so low they were not going to increase to 175mcg for me. I am switching my primary docs in a month & was wondering if they even know about cytomel etc. or if everyone that gets this T3 ever gets it from their pcp or from a specialist in thyroid disorders.... I am so frightened about putting on so much weight since I've tried so damn (sorry) hard to keep it off in the first place. I've always had to watch & this just stinks. Plus have palpitations & tiredness still!
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Can't answer about Cytomel but about the weight loss, after 1 week of exercising and watching what you eat. Many people won't lose the pounds straight away as the exercise is building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat (some people even put on weight to begin with!). This is a good thing - don't stop what you're doing! Muscle burns calories even after you've stopped exercising. Yay!
I am facing the same struggle. People with thyroid problems often experience difficulty with weight - trying to maintain it or get it off. It can take longer for people with thyroid problems over someone 'healthy' to lose weight.
Be careful to make sure that you have enough calories in the day so your body does not go into hoarding mode. If you don't have enough calories the body tries to conserve the current level of stored energy (fat) because it thinks you are entering a time of famine etc. Low GI foods and small meals spread out throughout the day helps with this phenomena.
The change in diet could also affect your bowel movements. Make sure you are getting enough fibre in your diet - fresh fruit and veges are your best source and great when trying to lose weight. It's an old one but often forgotten - drinking lots of water helps dieting too and is especially important when exercising. (Steer clear of sports drinks, they have heaps of sugar!)
Unfortunately there is no magic formula, losing weight for most people is just hard work and commitment. Keep up the good work - don't focus so much on the scales but how your clothes are fitting and how toned you look - muscle might weigh more but it is more compact and looks heaps better!
To quote a corny ad - it won't happen overnight but it will happen!
Don't lose heart, keep at it - best wishes.
Jenipeni