adding cytomel to synthroid

Help? I am on 125mcg of synthroid and want to add cytomel because of still suffering from fatigue and weight gain.  My physician prescribed 25mcg of cytomel and said to discontinue the synthroid.  I cannot get into an endo until Feb. and would like to combine the two but am not sure what doses to take reducing my synthroid and adding the cytomel?

[Cynnieb4]

I am on armour not familliar to the combo. I do know you should not stop the synthroid when on cytomel. I know that cyto is t3, and helps you get energy right away. Should be taken twice daily. There are several members who use this combo, who should pop on. Don't stop the synthroid. I know you also cut that back, but your doc shouldve told you how much.

[Venora Moonwind]

Are you having trouble with converting the T4 in synthroid  to T3?  Did your doc order full panel blood test for the thyroid to see where your labs are at ?
I am not understanding why the doc told you to discontinue the synthroid if he/she didnt order the blood tests.
If you have your labs, post them here. Depending on your numbers it could be you arent on enough of your synthroid and that is why you are still having weight gain and fatigue.
It is so important to get your your labs done on a regular basis. Your med dose needs tweaking from time to time.Weight gain/ weight loss will affect your dose requirement.
I think the formula is something like 1 mcg for every pound.

Love Venora
Throidless and bipolar
Pap cancer in sub sternal goiter. Sept 06

[stella5349]

I totally agree with the above especially Verona's post.

Has the doctor looked into the Free T3 and Free T4's to  see if there is a conversion issue.

If you need to understand the conversion process - briefly Synthroid is a T4 med only and it is "understood by doctors" that the body can solely rely on this T4 med to convert into the T3 hormone your body needs to balance your thyroid function for your body.

Depending on how long you have been on Synthroid and how many increases you have underwent without relieving you of your symptoms. Then backing with blood work and listening to the patient the doctor could prescribe adding a T3 Cytomel to your Synthroid to see if you feel better. But usually not stop Synthroid entirely.

I found my doctor frowned on Cytomel for some reason when I was still on Synthroid so he made the decision along with my inquiry to try a T4/T3 combo medication Armour.

That has definately made a huge difference for me in relieving my symptoms of hypothyroidsim. HUGE!!  BUT I also carry Hashi antibodies too.

I would call and question that decision on stopping the T4 med and ask to either use the T3 Cytomel in addition to Synthroid. (Maybe lower the Synthroid a bit during the introduction of Cytomel)

-or ask about the combo version of T3/T4 synthetic Thyrolar

-or see if a dessicated natural T3/T4 medication is available like Armour or Westroid.

[spouse40]

I did talk my regular doctor into adding cytomel to my synthroid. I have been hypo since june of this year.  I was sure it would help me loose weight.  I was on 100 synthroid and 20 cytomel.  I sure had lots of energy, but lost no weight and my last blood results were
Tsh (0.0032) Which my doc said was barley detectable t4 was .93 and t3 was 165,  I Tried this for 6 weeks.  Side effects I had were shakiness, you can't stop no matter what.  Fast heartbeat for four hours plus, kinda of scarey.  And couldn't sleep much at night.  I was all for cytomel and couldn't wait to try it, boy did I learn my lesson.  Now I know why people say it is so very dangerous.  This is just my opinion and experience with this.  I am now on 125 synthroid and hope to go see an endo within a month.  I feel there has to be something else wrong with me.  I work out three hours a day and only eat less then 1200 calories a day.  It is very frustrating.  Good Luck to you. G

[stella5349]

Cytomel is not a weight loss script - That is mis understood by many. It has nothing to do with metobolism if your hormones are not balanced.

Some may lose weight while on it becuase of the direct T3 and increase in energy - but it shoudl never be Rx's for weight loss

I can't believe your doctor gave it to you. DId your labs support the need for T3?

[Tamara300]

After not getting relief from my symptoms (fatigue and weight gain) despite sensible eating and moderate exercise, I also asked my doctor about Cytomel for the T3. Well, I should say I talked to the nurse since I was needing a new prescription anyway.  The nurses got very testy right away and said the endo rarely prescribes it and they won't even consider it for me as my TSH is now normal (finally, they upped me to 100s on my Synthroid).  A 2nd nurse called me back who was also very derogatory and said the doctor would not consider it.  When I asked about my T3 levels, I found out they had never even tested them.  

I am Hashi's and hypo.  I just want something that works--any suggestion with dealing with the endo--or are there other T3 alternatives that seem to work as well as Cytomel that the endo might be more willing to consider?  (I have no personal experience with Cytomel, just what I've been reading on this website.)

[stella5349]

We'll if everything is being based on just your TSH with your endo - I fear you will never get the answers you are in need of. and there is no suprise - that they poo-pooed the thought of FT3/Ft4 labs and T3 meds.

It's vicious - rarely is the important testing done. In order for you to KNOW if you need T3 meds - they need to test you ( and understand) to see if your FT3 is in need of support.

Why they can't figure that out is a mystery to me.

I am blessed - ........ I am one of the lucky people that was so ill - under the care of dozens of doctors and endos - that finally found a doc that looked outside the box.

Trust me - I searched for years on how to get better and learned about FT3 and Ft4 AND Rt3 labs. I just couldn't get anyone to run them until 2 years ago.

Testing Ft3 and Ft4 is simple. It the same thing as a TSH draw. The only thing is you need to interview the doctor and figure out if he/she understands HOW to utilize those labs and treat you accordingly.

That is the MOST difficult thing to find.