Cytomel Dietary Restrictions

[tuabaxl]

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with multifocullar papillary thyroid carcinoma.  I just had my thyroidectomy a week and a half ago and got my prescription for cytomel.  My prescription is for 25 mcg every twelve hours and my doctor said to take it on an empty stomach (4 hours w/o food), no solids for the first hour after taking it, and no calcium or citrus for four hours afterwards.  AHHH!  How do I do this?  I can deal with no milk in my morning coffee, but what about dinner?  Any advice or help?


I think that this is just until my RAI in a month or so.
THANKS!

[tuabaxl]

Thank you so much for your guidance.  I meet with my nuclear endocrinologist tomorrow and will talk to him about my dosage for Cytomel!

[MANmom]

Take one dose in the middle of the night if you get up to use the bathroom, then the other some time in the middle of the day, say lunch time one hour beefore you eat.

[gimel]

I agree with barb about how to take Cytomel.  I just have to question the meds and dosage.  Why did the doctor decide to prescribe Cytomel only and why start with such a large amount?  The daily dosage of 50 mcg of Cytomel is the equivalent of 200 mcg of a T4 med.  In addition, Cytomel (T3) is such a fast acting med that I can easily envision unwanted reactions.  Many of our members report on adverse reaction to such a large dosage.  I suggest that you discuss with the doctor and reconsider the starting dosage.    

[Barb135]

I agree that you should not take calcium supplements, etc for 4 hours after taking thyroid med; however, I'm not convinced that a bit of milk in your morning coffee is going to mess things up much, if at all.

Read the information sheet that came with your cytomel.  Mine says it can be taken "with or without food".   Levothyroxine, which is a T4 med, should be taken on an empty stomach at least an hour before eating; however, I don't believe that holds true for cytomel.  Just make sure you don't take calcium supplements, drink huge amounts of milk or other high calcium foods within 4 hrs of when you take your med.  Calcium inhibits the absorption of thyroid med(s).  

Whatever you do, plan to be consistent.