Cytomel

I had a total thyroidectomy in October. I am currently taking 112mcg of synthroid. Although my blood work is where the dr wants it to be I cant seem to lose the 15lbs I have gained & everytime I eat my stomach becomes extremely bloated. I have even been asked when I am due! I weighed 120 before surgery & 135 now. I have been reading a lot about Cytomel. What is the criteria for adding Cytomel? Why are some pt's on it & some not?  I took a lower dose of Synthroid (75) for a few days until I picked up my script & I lost 7lbs over 3 days. Once I started taking the Synthroid again I gained it right back???

[Hashihyper]

Hi kimberlyn1234,

I am on both Synthroid and Cytomel. I was just reduced to 75 Syn and remain at 25 Cytomel. My doctor explained it to me like this:
Synthroid is a synthetic T4. Your thyroid works to turn this into T3.
Cytomel is a synthetic T3, so it goes right to work without having to go through the "processing".
I didn't start on Cytomel but it was added a few years after my diagnosis because my T3's were still low. My guess is, if your thryoid is properly turning your sythetic T4 into T3, you wouldn't need a synthetic T3. You might want to ask your doctor though.
By the way, I didn't lose any weight when I started Synthroid or Cytomel. If weight is your only concern, I wouldn't even ask about Cytomel. The bodybuilders that take it are taking very high doses and that certainly isn't good for your heart :)

[kimberlyn1234]

I dont have a thyroid any more. I had a total thyroidectomy.....
My TSH is 1.47
My T4 8.7
My T3 25.6
I thinkits different when you still have a thyroid. Atleast you have some function.

[sweetie1211]

I had my thyroid removed almost 9 yrs. ago, and I've gained 45 lbs. and my hair has thinned to nothing. It *****, also your symptoms with the bloating are exactly what I go through. I hate it for you, girl. Let's keep doing what ever it takes to get back to normal.

[pep88]

Synthroid for me was a super bloating, weight gaining, arthritis inducing JOKE!  I hated every minute of it!  I went off of a Levothyroxine/Cytomel combo post TT, to try and make my own T3...  (TT in Sept '07 for cancer).  The Synthroid only (T4) made me gain at least 15 lbs.  But it was the arthritis/joint pain that made me switch immediately.  I tried Levoxyl and it got a little better, but I just added back in the Cytomel and changed back to Levothyroxine, and I'm feeling SO much better!  My theory is that with no thyroid, you need some sort of combo, whether Armour (natural) or a synthetic combo.