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Best way to take cytomel??
Hello all I need some advice on how to take my cytomel to get the best results. Let me start off my saying Im 31 and had a total thyrodectomy 2 years ago due to graves disease. Anyhoo since the surgery I have when hypo and have been feeling very sluggish and tired. I was on synthroid only up untill aug 2012. Now my doc has added 10mg cytomel also. I am suppose to take it twice a day. My question is whats the best way to take the cytomel? I have been taking it first thing in the morning with the 125 synthroid. I never remember to take it in the lowere half of the day so I have been taking both doses in the am along with my synthroid. It appears to make me feel some what better but does not last very long and im exhausted again. Another problem I am having is Im always starving as soon as I wake up and I find it very difficult to wait the entire hour to eat. Just curious if Cytomel can be taken at night? I know my doc have me the option to take synthroid at night or in the morning, she said it does not matter. Im fatter than ever and have no energy. I just want to feel better and enjoy my new baby boy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you :)
Cytomel is a T3 med. T3 has a half life of less than a day. It reaches peak effect on serum levels in 3-4 hours and then dissipates afterward. That is why many people find that it works best to split T3 med into two doses and take in the morning and early afternoon. I am somewhat surprised that it doesn't affect your sleep when you take it at night.
What, if any, symptoms do you have? What are your Free T4 and Free T3 levels, along with reference ranges? Since hypothyroid patients are so often too low in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, if not tested for those, you should do so and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 70, and some sources say 100.
What, if any, symptoms do you have? What are your Free T4 and Free T3 levels, along with reference ranges? Since hypothyroid patients are so often too low in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, if not tested for those, you should do so and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 70, and some sources say 100.
I agree with you, my endocrinologist told me that it doesnt matter when to take the synthroid as long as it is on an empty stomach so I would rather take it at night since I dont like to wait an hour in the morning after taking pills to eat. As far as cytomel goes, right now I am taking it at night with my synthesis but my Endocrinologist told me a few days ago I should take in the morning since it probably will help me sleep better if I take it in the morning but I havent noticed a difference when I tried switching for a couple days. I am going to ask her when I see her about splitting my dose though if maybe it will give me more energy like someone mentioned. I currently take 175 mcg of synthroid and 15 mcg of cytomel.
http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?NttSR=1&ss=1&x=0&y=0&ntk=products&Ntt=ConcenTrace
The above link is for liquid minerals at VitaCost (cheaper).
I am battling Stage 4 BC so anything that gets my energy up is good. I am also low thyroid and recently put on Cytomel in addition to Levothyroid (about 13 years now).
We need the full complement of minerals to function at our best. This gave me energy almost right away. Get the liquid kind and the 8 fl oz (cheaper). It doesn't taste good, so put it in juice if you are sensitive to that. Me, I just take it with water. Hope this helps. I am going to take the advice of the gals here about when to take my Cytomel.
GwynnerWinner
The above link is for liquid minerals at VitaCost (cheaper).
I am battling Stage 4 BC so anything that gets my energy up is good. I am also low thyroid and recently put on Cytomel in addition to Levothyroid (about 13 years now).
We need the full complement of minerals to function at our best. This gave me energy almost right away. Get the liquid kind and the 8 fl oz (cheaper). It doesn't taste good, so put it in juice if you are sensitive to that. Me, I just take it with water. Hope this helps. I am going to take the advice of the gals here about when to take my Cytomel.
GwynnerWinner
Low iron can have similar symptoms, but iron is also necessary for the proper metabolism of thyroid hormones. So, if you are deficient, your thyroid meds may not be working as well as they could, either. Good luck!
Thank you for responding with all the great info. I took your advise and now only wait 30 minutes after taking my meds. Lol Im so impatient when Im hungry and this made it a bit easier. I get it now. It totaly makes since now that you explained it, how the cytomel works. I started taking one in the morning with my synthroid and the other in the afternoon. It seems to taking away some of the fatigue. My thyroid labs for all normal, but I did get diagnosed with low iron levels and anemia. The doc says this could very well be the reason why I have been so tired. She gave me some iron supplements, I hope it works. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question ;)
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The rule is to not eat breakfast half to one hour after taking Synthroid. So, maybe you can compromise and get your breakfast a little sooner.
Set an alarm (on your cell phone?) if you have to to remember to take that second dose (I'd think your symptoms would remind you). Taking it all at once is a little like throwing half of it away.
If you take it correctly, I'm sure you'll feel better. Don't forget to get your blood work done in a few weeks to see if it's raised your levels. Cytomel shouldn't be taken until after the blood draw.