Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
Please help with cytomel/synthroid dosages
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
Please help with cytomel/synthroid dosages
by wonderone, May 21, 2009 12:11PM
I was on 112 synthroid and 10 cytomel (5 twice/day)
Results on these doses
TSH .25
FT3 295 (230-420)
FT4 1.3 (.8-1.8)
After these labs, my synthroid was lowered to 100 and 25 of cytomel (12.5 twice a day) was added. I starting having hyper symptoms, so cytomel was reduced to 20/day with the 100 of synthroid.
My problem is this…I felt more alert on the 25 of cytomel & 100 synthroid. I had no more debilitating fatigue that I have had on previous doses of synthroid over the last..I dunno, about year and a half …just increased heart rate and some sweats. I also had lost about 3 pounds in two weeks.
What are your thoughts on decreasing the synthroid to 75 or so and adding the 25 of cytomel back? I realize on the above tests one the previous dose, my Ft4 was 1.3, and reducing the synthroid to 75 would probably lower it. I am wondering..do some people do well even if their ft4 is lower and FT3 is higher? I've also had tests in the past that indicate high RT3 and TT3 of 1 point above the low for ref range. Thanks in advance.
Results on these doses
TSH .25
FT3 295 (230-420)
FT4 1.3 (.8-1.8)
After these labs, my synthroid was lowered to 100 and 25 of cytomel (12.5 twice a day) was added. I starting having hyper symptoms, so cytomel was reduced to 20/day with the 100 of synthroid.
My problem is this…I felt more alert on the 25 of cytomel & 100 synthroid. I had no more debilitating fatigue that I have had on previous doses of synthroid over the last..I dunno, about year and a half …just increased heart rate and some sweats. I also had lost about 3 pounds in two weeks.
What are your thoughts on decreasing the synthroid to 75 or so and adding the 25 of cytomel back? I realize on the above tests one the previous dose, my Ft4 was 1.3, and reducing the synthroid to 75 would probably lower it. I am wondering..do some people do well even if their ft4 is lower and FT3 is higher? I've also had tests in the past that indicate high RT3 and TT3 of 1 point above the low for ref range. Thanks in advance.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., May 22, 2009 08:55AM
, May 22, 2009 08:55AM
Usually we use the 5mcg 1-2x/day of cytomel. Too much cytomel can over-stimulate the heart. Testing reverse T3 is not clinically helpful. TSH remains the key indicator of thyroid status to help guide replacement.
