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Cytomel Side Effects, Dosing, and Relationship to Adrenal Issues
I have diagnosed hypothyroidism, Hashimotos, and from my own research with functional and integrative medicine practitioners I've studied online & taken some online testing only- my adrenals are "crashed." Source: Alan Christianson, NMD-(The Adrenal Reset Diet- w/other recommendations including specific supplementation do's and don'ts).I have not yet taken the recommended saliva test to try to do adrenal balancing in a more fine tuned manner (not covered by insurance). I'm working at efforts to put my Hashimoto's in remission--which theoretically would help restore thyroid function. Other sources I follow: Isabella Wentz and Amy Myers, M.D-. (see their web sites/book references included there).
I offer these for anyone who may benefit--their recommendations only go so far- yet I have found them helpful short of hiring a functional medicine dr. (not in standard insurance coverage) to fine tune...and they don't help with individual medication management issues. This forum is so very valuable for that information.
My question(s) relate to thyroid medications which I continue to depend on as long as I need to:
In September, I was posting about Armour and was fortunate that Gimel pointed out to me that adrenal issues do not mesh with that medication. I had a lot of problems with Armour and was unable to follow up with my posting until now-it was so disruptive. I hoped that the T3 supplementation would be beneficial and that no additives would be a plus. .
I had so many problems that it seemed apparent I needed to get off Armour.
I no longer take Armour and haven't since late 8/2016.
My endo offered to go back to a synthetic t4 medication-either synthroid or levothyroxin. In the past, I had been taking levo and was showing what looked like an increasing need for higher and higher doses. Based on my research I also expressed interest in continued T3 supplementation I was hoping for from the Armour-and she offered me Cytomel. I decided I wanted to give that a try--I went with Synthroid and Liothyronine (Cytomel).
I decided to do that for the time being before I tried anything else like Naturthroid, down the road..I was pretty desperate for a stable situation- at least for a while until I could work on other things...like my adrenals and my generally compromised immune system.
History, Dosing, Testing, and Side Effects
I consulted postings to see if anyone else got dizzy from Cytomel and found I had lots of company. I became very dizzy, with ears ringing,after taking it for I tested more than once since I started the Synthroid and Cytemel combination. I felt pretty good until late Oct/early nov- dizziness was intermittent, then constant late Oct/early Nov. I have also had periodic metallic taste in my mouth, brain fog/forgetfulness which persists in addition to stomach upsets-which may be a whole other topic.
I'd like to know if anyone has been able to tolerate cytomel well if they addressed their adrenal issues well enough and anything else anyone can see based on this history. I still need to get back to my endo and I'm looking for comments to prepare for that. Although I'd rather continue the T3 supplementation the dizziness is very problematic--did anyone else make it work, and how?
I spent a long time also looking up additives in the Cytomel product and there may be some issues with that as well. Right now I'm considering stopping cytomel, and just continue with the Synthroid until I can evaluate options and work on supporting my system further. For the long haul, I would rather not just stay on synthroid-t4 supplementation indefintely. (If people had issues with other options like Naturthroid with unresolved adrenals, that would be good to know also.)
8/23/16- started Synthroid 75mcg 1x/day
approx 10 days later started Liothyronine (Cytemel) as prescribed 5mcg in the am and 2.5 mcg in evening. I was taking the two doses 12 hrs. apart.
Tests:
Date: 9/26/16
Free T3 Result:3.0 Standard Range 1.7-3.7 pg/mL
Free T4 Result: 1.2 Standard Range 0.4-1.5 ng/dL
TSH Result: 0.93 Standard Range 0.20-4.50 ulU/ml
Date: 10/31/16 Same standard ranges.
Free T3 Result: 3.0 .
Free T4 Result: 1.1
TSH: Result: 2.09
Date: 11/21/16 Same standard ranges.
Free T3 Result:2.9
Free T4: Result 1.2
TSH: Result 1.69
Thank you in advance for any comments/insights.
I watch my D.. I take special B supplementation (Homocystex Plus-prescribed by an Integrated Med Dr when I consulted him re my genetic testing results that requires avoiding some forms of B-folic acid and taking others. It includes high B-12 1000 mcg, B6 15mg, Riboflavin 25mg,
I offer these for anyone who may benefit--their recommendations only go so far- yet I have found them helpful short of hiring a functional medicine dr. (not in standard insurance coverage) to fine tune...and they don't help with individual medication management issues. This forum is so very valuable for that information.
My question(s) relate to thyroid medications which I continue to depend on as long as I need to:
In September, I was posting about Armour and was fortunate that Gimel pointed out to me that adrenal issues do not mesh with that medication. I had a lot of problems with Armour and was unable to follow up with my posting until now-it was so disruptive. I hoped that the T3 supplementation would be beneficial and that no additives would be a plus. .
I had so many problems that it seemed apparent I needed to get off Armour.
I no longer take Armour and haven't since late 8/2016.
My endo offered to go back to a synthetic t4 medication-either synthroid or levothyroxin. In the past, I had been taking levo and was showing what looked like an increasing need for higher and higher doses. Based on my research I also expressed interest in continued T3 supplementation I was hoping for from the Armour-and she offered me Cytomel. I decided I wanted to give that a try--I went with Synthroid and Liothyronine (Cytomel).
I decided to do that for the time being before I tried anything else like Naturthroid, down the road..I was pretty desperate for a stable situation- at least for a while until I could work on other things...like my adrenals and my generally compromised immune system.
History, Dosing, Testing, and Side Effects
I consulted postings to see if anyone else got dizzy from Cytomel and found I had lots of company. I became very dizzy, with ears ringing,after taking it for I tested more than once since I started the Synthroid and Cytemel combination. I felt pretty good until late Oct/early nov- dizziness was intermittent, then constant late Oct/early Nov. I have also had periodic metallic taste in my mouth, brain fog/forgetfulness which persists in addition to stomach upsets-which may be a whole other topic.
I'd like to know if anyone has been able to tolerate cytomel well if they addressed their adrenal issues well enough and anything else anyone can see based on this history. I still need to get back to my endo and I'm looking for comments to prepare for that. Although I'd rather continue the T3 supplementation the dizziness is very problematic--did anyone else make it work, and how?
I spent a long time also looking up additives in the Cytomel product and there may be some issues with that as well. Right now I'm considering stopping cytomel, and just continue with the Synthroid until I can evaluate options and work on supporting my system further. For the long haul, I would rather not just stay on synthroid-t4 supplementation indefintely. (If people had issues with other options like Naturthroid with unresolved adrenals, that would be good to know also.)
8/23/16- started Synthroid 75mcg 1x/day
approx 10 days later started Liothyronine (Cytemel) as prescribed 5mcg in the am and 2.5 mcg in evening. I was taking the two doses 12 hrs. apart.
Tests:
Date: 9/26/16
Free T3 Result:3.0 Standard Range 1.7-3.7 pg/mL
Free T4 Result: 1.2 Standard Range 0.4-1.5 ng/dL
TSH Result: 0.93 Standard Range 0.20-4.50 ulU/ml
Date: 10/31/16 Same standard ranges.
Free T3 Result: 3.0 .
Free T4 Result: 1.1
TSH: Result: 2.09
Date: 11/21/16 Same standard ranges.
Free T3 Result:2.9
Free T4: Result 1.2
TSH: Result 1.69
Thank you in advance for any comments/insights.
I watch my D.. I take special B supplementation (Homocystex Plus-prescribed by an Integrated Med Dr when I consulted him re my genetic testing results that requires avoiding some forms of B-folic acid and taking others. It includes high B-12 1000 mcg, B6 15mg, Riboflavin 25mg,
First thing I want to mention is that I know of no scientific evidence of anything that will put Hashi's into remission. Everything I have seen suggesting that possibility is based on anecdotal information. In addition, whatever damage has been done to your thyroid gland will not be restored, thus you will require thyroid med at some dosage from now on.
I have taken Cytomel or a generic for a number of years without any identified issue with it. From what I have read Cytomel is the only med with no known side effects. The symptoms that people report when taking it are most likely due to inadequate levels of Free T4 and/or Free T3, low B12, low D, or low ferritin. And of course you are now aware of the need for cortisol levels to be optimal, in order to successfully take T3 meds.
With regard to your test results above, I first want to ask what time of day your blood was drawn, and did you take your morning dose of thyroid med before the blood draw? Also, have you tested for Vitamin D and ferritin?
I have taken Cytomel or a generic for a number of years without any identified issue with it. From what I have read Cytomel is the only med with no known side effects. The symptoms that people report when taking it are most likely due to inadequate levels of Free T4 and/or Free T3, low B12, low D, or low ferritin. And of course you are now aware of the need for cortisol levels to be optimal, in order to successfully take T3 meds.
With regard to your test results above, I first want to ask what time of day your blood was drawn, and did you take your morning dose of thyroid med before the blood draw? Also, have you tested for Vitamin D and ferritin?
1 Comments
Thanks for your response. I'm awaiting current ferratin & B12 test results now. I will pull my test results for D-most recently in standard range for the test type. Will check on what time blood draws were taken for the tests you ask about-- I'm pretty sure it was afternoon/evening hours quite a few hours after morning dosing I did typically @ 8 am. I will do a followup post when I have all those details available. Thanks for asking.
Glad to hear Cytomel has worked out for you. Yes, thanks to you I am aware of the need for cortisol levels to be optimal in order to successfully take T3 meds.
Glad to hear Cytomel has worked out for you. Yes, thanks to you I am aware of the need for cortisol levels to be optimal in order to successfully take T3 meds.
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