problems with synthroid

[libra64]

It seems that i cannot take synthroid even starting out at the lowest dose. My Doctor has now put me on cytomel exclusively due to the inabiltiy to convert the T4 medication. From what I've read on this website & others is that it is not good to be on Cytomel only?
Please advise.
At this time my T4 is & TSH 10.53

[pep88]

I didn't tolerate Synthroid at all.  I was on a Cytomel and Levothyroxine combo previous to Synthroid.  I had a few issues sleeping, being on Cytomel, and felt I should try and convert my own T4 to T3.  So I started Synthroid exclusively.  I took it and initially felt a little better, at least the sleeping and such.    But after about 3 weeks, I started with severe bloating and arthritis in my hands and hip joints.  I'd never before had hip joint pain...EVER before Synthroid.

I switched to Levoxyl and have only been on for about 8 days, but have had a lot of the bloating and joint pain subside already.  I agree with AR, I would definately try another T4 med before going to Cytomel exclusively.  There are quite a few out there...  If you do have a conversion problem, I would try another T4 drug that you might tollerate and then add the T3 as needed.  Good luck.

[libra64]

Thank you for the information. My follow up appt. is on 07.02.08. He does want to do more tests. I have been trying to take levoxyl first, then synthroid for about a year. The initial dose was .075 & my reaction was not good. Because of the extreme headache & vomiting & other problems, my Dr. would not give me further treatment with out a brain scan (that came back normal). I have also had adrenal gland tests. Before having Hasimoto's disease, I was in great health & ideal weight. Since last year my weight has increased 15 pounds. Finding out that others have had similar symptoms has given me hope.

[AR-10]

Cytomel is not so great because it cannot be stored. T4 is a storage mechanism. It is converted to T3 as needed. With Cytomel there is no device to meter the hormone once it enters your system, other than binding proteins.

So through the day you will be hypo and euthroid and hyper, endlessly. One hour too much T3, the next hour not enough T3.

It is not the way to manage your illness long term. You need to find a better answer. As Peggy says, you need to press for an answer, not a bandaid. There are other T4 meds available if the issue is tolerance. If it is a conversion issue, find out why. It could be something as simple as you are low on Selenium, or Zinc, or Magnesium, or Iron.

[peggy64]

HMMM. I have never heard of that problem before.
Did he give you anything else to go on? Did he tell you why you couldn't convert T4?
Is he running any further tests?

Knowing how dr are, they don't want to find out why, they just want to give you a pill.

I hate that for you and hope the cytomel is beneficial until you can find some answers.