I want to switch to cytomel

[katkol]

I am currently on synthroid 125, I want to switch to Cytomel. I have not been feeling for several months. Start to gain weight slowly (ate the same, work out couple hrs a day). I never hungry but don't have energy. After few min of exercise. My muscle feel heavy and I pupped up like baloon and my skin start to itch. I look like I gain 10 lb, my fase is bloaded. Later all back to normal, but still stady gaining weight. After I eat I feel like my food just seat there. I want to burb but can not. Stomch is bloaded. I feel aslo I can not take deep breth. I was once on Cytomel and later on mix but  for past few years I take only Synthroid. My eco doesn't want to give me Cytomel. What I should do? And what doses should i take when now I am on 125 T4?

[fragrance850]

Hi, laura, you said that " you can have it compounded into a time release,". I don't get it. How can it be time-released? Thanks

[jjohnson5409]

I just started cytomel 25mg today.  I did not take the whole pill.  I cut it in half.  I was scared i might react bad to it.   I am currently on Synthroid 75mg.  I was on synthroid 50 and my t4 went up to 1.8  range is .90 to 2.0.  it was .90.  but i don't understand why he raised my sythroid to 75?  he said my t3 was low???  so he raises my sythroid plus adds cytomel.  shouldn't he keep the sythroid at 50?  I thought cytomel had t4 in it .  am i going to have to much t4?   Don't these doctors know this !!!   one more thing.... is a headache normal when you start cytomel?  

[laura1967]

Yes we need to see your most recent thyroid labs with ranges please. I am on Synthroid and Cytomel both. And once you find a level of Cytomel that works, you can have it compounded into a time release, so it stays in your bloodstream at a constant level.
The only time patients normally go on Cytomel only, is if their reverse T3 level is high.

[stella5349]

I agree. you need to find balance with both T4 and T3 meds to reach a healthy thyroid balance.

How did you get to be on Cytomel before? Can't you go back to your doctor then and have them check out your labs?

[goolarra]

It's fairly rare for somone to be on Cytomel only.  Usually a small dose of Cytomel is added to the Synthroid, which may have to be reduced to accomodate the Cytomel.  Cytomel (T3) is very fast-acting, so it has to be taken several times throughout the day if taken by itself.  This leads to intra-day ups and downs in hormone levels.

Do you have the results of your latest lab tests (FT3, FT4 and TSH) and their reference ranges?  It sounds to me like you need to have your dose adjusted, and, depending on your FT3 and FT4 levels, perhaps add a bit of Cytomel.