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Does cytomel help with metabolism and regularity?
I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (8 years) and have taken Synthroid (currently 100mcg) since being diagnosed. Every six weeks, my dosage needs to be adjusted. So I asked to try Cytomel (.5mg) and started it today. My main complaints are hair loss, constipation, pathetic memory and focus, and inability to lose weight. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please tell me that the Cytomel will fix it all!
This discussion is related to thyroid/cytomel.
This discussion is related to thyroid/cytomel.
Wow! Thanks so much for all of the info! I will definitely have to write a list to take with me at the next appt. (in about a month). I called the office today and asked for a copy of my records. It is so funny to me how a really simple request causes such an uproar! It's as if I have just announced that I plan to sue the doctor or something when all I want is to be able to see what kind of lab results I have had through the years.
Thanks again for your help!
Thanks again for your help!
If you have been going up and down for a while with constant dosage changes for the last year, then an ultrasound would probably be a good idea even though your doctor can't feel any lumps or bumps.
You need to get to the bottom of why you can't find a dose that keeps you at a certain level.
It's not surprising to me that you are not well versed on your condition. Most of us wouldn't be if we didn't have trouble with our meds. I went along for two years blissfully ignorant, taking pills and having bloodwork done. It wasn't until things fell apart that I started asking questions.
You tested positive for one of the thyroid antibodies 4 years ago. There are about five or six different types. Two or three that are relatively common, and three that are less common.
You probably tested positive for TPOab, which is the most common, and the first one to test for. It is an antibody that litterally kills your thyroid one cell at a time. How fast it damages the gland depends on how high the antibody count is.
It will cause the thyroid function to slowly degrade and your medication is slowly increased. It also causes periods of infection and swelling, called thyroiditis, which causes your hormones to dwindle, and then as it clears up you have a period where excess hormones are released and you have too much hormones. Your hormone levels go down, and then up, and then back down, regardless of the fact that you are taking X amount of medication.
An ultrasound would show the doctor exactly what the physical condition of your thyroid is. It can detect abnormalities inside the gland.
Hypothyroidism is only half of a diagnosis. There is transient hypothyroidism, primary hypothyroidism, and secondary hypothyroidism. You need a firm diagnosis and a prognosis of how the disease will progress.
You probably have Hashimoto's. It is the most common form of hypothyroidism, and it can take many different paths as far as how the disease progresses. It is an autoimmune disease. It is caused by antibodies. Antibody numbers can rise and fall, and new antibodies can crop up.
It would be a good idea to have several antibody tests to see where you are standing.
Your doctor needs to run these tests to have a clear picture of what your disease is, how far it has progressed, and whether or not you will ever settle at a certain level for long.
You need to get control of the situation as best you can. Being slightly hypo all of the time causes changes to the body that are not desireable. Swinging up and down is not good either.
There are other things your doctor should be looking at once in a while. Vitamin D deficiency is very common. Bone density may become an issue.
This is a lot to digest.
Ask any questions you wish.
Others will have thoughts as well.
You need to get to the bottom of why you can't find a dose that keeps you at a certain level.
It's not surprising to me that you are not well versed on your condition. Most of us wouldn't be if we didn't have trouble with our meds. I went along for two years blissfully ignorant, taking pills and having bloodwork done. It wasn't until things fell apart that I started asking questions.
You tested positive for one of the thyroid antibodies 4 years ago. There are about five or six different types. Two or three that are relatively common, and three that are less common.
You probably tested positive for TPOab, which is the most common, and the first one to test for. It is an antibody that litterally kills your thyroid one cell at a time. How fast it damages the gland depends on how high the antibody count is.
It will cause the thyroid function to slowly degrade and your medication is slowly increased. It also causes periods of infection and swelling, called thyroiditis, which causes your hormones to dwindle, and then as it clears up you have a period where excess hormones are released and you have too much hormones. Your hormone levels go down, and then up, and then back down, regardless of the fact that you are taking X amount of medication.
An ultrasound would show the doctor exactly what the physical condition of your thyroid is. It can detect abnormalities inside the gland.
Hypothyroidism is only half of a diagnosis. There is transient hypothyroidism, primary hypothyroidism, and secondary hypothyroidism. You need a firm diagnosis and a prognosis of how the disease will progress.
You probably have Hashimoto's. It is the most common form of hypothyroidism, and it can take many different paths as far as how the disease progresses. It is an autoimmune disease. It is caused by antibodies. Antibody numbers can rise and fall, and new antibodies can crop up.
It would be a good idea to have several antibody tests to see where you are standing.
Your doctor needs to run these tests to have a clear picture of what your disease is, how far it has progressed, and whether or not you will ever settle at a certain level for long.
You need to get control of the situation as best you can. Being slightly hypo all of the time causes changes to the body that are not desireable. Swinging up and down is not good either.
There are other things your doctor should be looking at once in a while. Vitamin D deficiency is very common. Bone density may become an issue.
This is a lot to digest.
Ask any questions you wish.
Others will have thoughts as well.
I don't know the values, but my endo said my T3 looked "good", but he caved when I asked for the Cytomel. I've never had an ultrasound though he says he doesn't feel any nodules. It probably sounds odd that I haven't done much research about my condition, but I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after having my 2nd child. The Synthroid worked great for 2-3 years. Then my son was diagnosed with autism and my world collapsed into a black hole of therapies and doctors, books and diets... He is 8 now and doing amazingly well (completely mainstreamed in school!! Praise God!!). So now I want to take a little time to get me feeling (and hopefully looking) better too. It seems like the Synthroid has slowly become less effective. Does anyone know what would cause this? Tests for antibodies were positive in 2004. My main complaint has been the constipation and weight gain- for about the last 4 years. I had a colonoscopy which was fine and several other tests which were all good, but my TSH levels are up and down every 6 weeks. I started Cytomel yesterday, and it sounds silly but I am really hopeful and excited that it will help. Should I request an ultrasound?
Thanks so much for help and suggestions!
Thanks so much for help and suggestions!
Have you had your Free T3 tested lately?
Whether or not Cytomel will help you depends on what your Free T3 level is as compared to your Free T4 level. You probably will feel better until you need another dose adjustment.
I can't imagine going up and down for eight years. I would be a basket case. Are they doing an ultrasound every year or so?
Welcome to the forum.
Whether or not Cytomel will help you depends on what your Free T3 level is as compared to your Free T4 level. You probably will feel better until you need another dose adjustment.
I can't imagine going up and down for eight years. I would be a basket case. Are they doing an ultrasound every year or so?
Welcome to the forum.
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