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Cytomel

Okay, I'm 2 years post-op from my total thyroidectomy.  Feeling great, taking Synthroid, hair loss seems to be slowing down, no days of feeling bad, life is good. I go in last week for my regular bloodwork and this morning the doc calls and says my T4 is great but my T3 is low and he's putting me on 5mg of Cytomel once a day. What can I expect on this medication?  I've never taken it and I don't really read the posts about it because I didn't really know what it was. Is starting on this gonna put my whole body out of whack again? Please tell me NO!  I don't have my lab results on hand yet as my endo hasn't posted them yet so I can't give my numbers. But, any thoughts would be appreciated.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Liothyronine should not be a problem -- that's what I'm currently on and doing well with it, though some say you shouldn't take anything but the "brand" name.  Both my endo and pharmacist say it doesn't matter, so if you do well on it, you should be okay.  If not, insist on cytomel.  

My endo's instructions were to take it every morning with my levo too -- but I figured out that doesn't work as well for me.  I don't think it really matters WHEN you take it, the important thing is that you DO take it.  Try it the way he instructed and see if it works well for your -- it might not be an issue.  

I understand what you mean about messing with a good thing, but I can see at least ONE good thing to come from it and that should be help with the constipation.  I've been on cytomel for right at a year, so it didn't happen overnight, but over the past month or so, I can finally go to the bathroom without the "daily help".   Good luck and hope you'll let us know how it goes.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the info. Next question....got the meds filled and they gave me"Liothyronine" which is the generic of Cytomel. Is this an issue?  My endo's directions are to take every morning with my Synthroid and not split it. Hopefully I'll keep feeling well. You just hate to mess with a good thing with thyroid issues. I'm sure I have symptoms that I'm just living with as normal. One being major constipation!  If that goes away then all will be well with the world, LOL!
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm on cytomel also - 5 mcg.  normally, cytomel is split into 2-3 doses, however, with only 5 mcg, splitting it would only give you 2.5 mcg/dose and I'm not sure that would do much good for you.  

My schedule is a bit "off" compared to most people as I have to get up at 3:30 am - I take my levo (generic synthroid) as soon as I get up, then I wait until around 7:00 am to take my cytomel and that gets me through the day, but I'm pretty tired by around 6:30 or 7:00 pm, which is fine because because I go to bed very early, so I can still sleep at night.  You might even be able to wait until around noon to take the cytomel - just depends on what fits your schedule. But I agree that you should not take it after 3:00 if you want to sleep at night.

In your case, since you aren't having any symptoms, it might not matter, since your doctor is simply trying to raise your FT3 levels.  You might find that you really ARE having some low grade symptoms and it will make you feel even better.  If at some point, you get raised to a higher dose, then by all means split it into at least 2 doses.  
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Avatar universal
Read the below post. I don't know where I'd be without Cytomel. It's only 5 mcg but soooo worth it. You are lucky your endo believes in treating with T3. My advice would be to split the pill in half or thirds and take throughout the day. Everyone is different. I don't take my last dose after three pm, or I won't get to sleep until midnight.

Cytomel has eliminated or nearly eliminated:
foot pain
constipation
brain fog
leg cramping
fatigue in morning

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/What-to-do-about-the-side-effects-of-my-hypothyroidism/show/1156821

:) Tamra
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