Aa
Cytomel or not, that is the question
I have a dr appt this afternoon. My last labs came back pretty good: TSH .57 (.47-5.01), Free T4 1.21 (.75-1.80), and Free T3 3.2 (2.3-4.2).
However, I'm still experiencing hair loss, fatigue, tight muscles, and now more hoarseness and the sensation of light pressure in my throat--off and on, not constant (I have Hashi's).
I do have allergies right now--Ragweed. I also have GERD at the moment, and there is microscopic blood in my urine which won't be addressed until October, so I'm mildly anemic. Should I chalk up my current symptoms to these problems, or should I pitch to add Cytomel to my Synthroid, even though Free T3 was okay?
I know no one is a doctor, but you have experience, so let me know your thoughts.
Tks, Michelle
However, I'm still experiencing hair loss, fatigue, tight muscles, and now more hoarseness and the sensation of light pressure in my throat--off and on, not constant (I have Hashi's).
I do have allergies right now--Ragweed. I also have GERD at the moment, and there is microscopic blood in my urine which won't be addressed until October, so I'm mildly anemic. Should I chalk up my current symptoms to these problems, or should I pitch to add Cytomel to my Synthroid, even though Free T3 was okay?
I know no one is a doctor, but you have experience, so let me know your thoughts.
Tks, Michelle
I love my doctor. She's a PCP, but listens and is wonderful. She said we should get a scan of my thyroid. She doesn't feel anything, but she said it could be substernal. If it doesn't show anything, I should have a larynoscopy to see if any damage from the GERD. I think I almost hope it's a nodule or goiter, noncancerous of course, because they only numb your throat for the larynoscopy, and I will freak. If I need anything done, I have to be knocked out cold!!
She is going to consult with 2 endos on Cytomel. I will respect their collective opinion. I'm not particularly interested in taking any more meds--I have all I can do to remember the Synthroid and Prilosec--but I am tired of being tired and nonmotivated. Everyone has been patient with me so far, but it's eventually going to affect my work and social life. My daughter is also having health issues that I don't have the energy to deal with, which is not good. I can't bail on her now. She's 15, smart and a great kid, but when she doesn't feel good, she still needs her mommy.
I know I'm a big baby and my problems are small compared to most on this board. I've led a relatively easy life, so I haven't had to build up my courage/hutzpah like some. At 48 and feeling crappy, I'm not sure if I can. Wish me luck... :-)
She is going to consult with 2 endos on Cytomel. I will respect their collective opinion. I'm not particularly interested in taking any more meds--I have all I can do to remember the Synthroid and Prilosec--but I am tired of being tired and nonmotivated. Everyone has been patient with me so far, but it's eventually going to affect my work and social life. My daughter is also having health issues that I don't have the energy to deal with, which is not good. I can't bail on her now. She's 15, smart and a great kid, but when she doesn't feel good, she still needs her mommy.
I know I'm a big baby and my problems are small compared to most on this board. I've led a relatively easy life, so I haven't had to build up my courage/hutzpah like some. At 48 and feeling crappy, I'm not sure if I can. Wish me luck... :-)
You have no conversions problem that would warrant Cytomel.
It takes a long time to heal, years in some cases, depending how long being Hashi before diagnosed and how sever the Hashi. There are some symptoms that might be lasting that just comes with Hashi that thyroid meds. will not cure and that would need to be treated on a separate bases from thyroid.
You should have your throat issues checked out. Although it could be from the allergies, best to be safe now than sorry later.
It takes a long time to heal, years in some cases, depending how long being Hashi before diagnosed and how sever the Hashi. There are some symptoms that might be lasting that just comes with Hashi that thyroid meds. will not cure and that would need to be treated on a separate bases from thyroid.
You should have your throat issues checked out. Although it could be from the allergies, best to be safe now than sorry later.
Michelle,
I didn't have the symptoms you list like chroinc fatigue, muscle pain, etc. I did have significant hairloss though and I have been on T3 for exactly 1 month now. I honestly believe my hairloss is slowing down. I know this is gross, but I was down to washing my hair once a week b/c it was so depressing for me. I clean my brush every morning before I brush my hair so I can see how much hair is coming out. For the past two weeks, the hairbrush is not nearly as full as it has been the last few months... and washing (which I consider the true test b/c that's how I noticed the hairloss to begin with) my hair this Sunday yielded a perfectly acceptable amount of hairloss. My eyelashes also seem to be slowing down on shedding. I was seeing up to 4 eyelashes a day fall out when I took my make up off (VERY gently!) and the last week or so I have seen one or two every couple of days (and believe me, I examine the washcloth very closely!).
Now, that being said, it could very well be that the hairloss was the "transient hairloss" described as a side effect of Levoxyl and the hairloss was going to slow down anyway... BUT one perk of the cytomel I have noticed is that I am able to stay up later than usual. I'm an early to bed, late to rise kind of girl. Not fatigued all day long or anything, but need a lot of sleep. I am able to stay up well past my kids' bedtime these days and love it b/c I actually get some "me" time now.
My thought is, give it a try. If it doesn't work, you can switch back. If it does work, you'll be feeling better. You have nothing to lose.
I didn't have the symptoms you list like chroinc fatigue, muscle pain, etc. I did have significant hairloss though and I have been on T3 for exactly 1 month now. I honestly believe my hairloss is slowing down. I know this is gross, but I was down to washing my hair once a week b/c it was so depressing for me. I clean my brush every morning before I brush my hair so I can see how much hair is coming out. For the past two weeks, the hairbrush is not nearly as full as it has been the last few months... and washing (which I consider the true test b/c that's how I noticed the hairloss to begin with) my hair this Sunday yielded a perfectly acceptable amount of hairloss. My eyelashes also seem to be slowing down on shedding. I was seeing up to 4 eyelashes a day fall out when I took my make up off (VERY gently!) and the last week or so I have seen one or two every couple of days (and believe me, I examine the washcloth very closely!).
Now, that being said, it could very well be that the hairloss was the "transient hairloss" described as a side effect of Levoxyl and the hairloss was going to slow down anyway... BUT one perk of the cytomel I have noticed is that I am able to stay up later than usual. I'm an early to bed, late to rise kind of girl. Not fatigued all day long or anything, but need a lot of sleep. I am able to stay up well past my kids' bedtime these days and love it b/c I actually get some "me" time now.
My thought is, give it a try. If it doesn't work, you can switch back. If it does work, you'll be feeling better. You have nothing to lose.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
