Armour plus Cytomel

Ilpirata · 06-11-2009, 11:06 AM

I'm going into the Endo at the end of the month. I'm getting bloodwork done next week to see where I'm at. When I first saw her I was on 60mg of Armour from my GP. She agreed after much much haggling to increase me to 90mg. What she REALLY WANTED to do was to add Cytomel. Based on my bloodwork of course I strongly suspect that I'm not T3 optimized yet. If the test results bear this out I'm going to TRY to get her to increase me to 120mg of Armour. What I'm worried about is her only wanting to add cytomel not increase armour. So, here's my questions:

Anyone here on Armour AND Cytomel?

Anyone here start with Armour and then ADD Cytomel to it?

How has it been?

Is it worth it for me to push for the increased Armour or should I give adding Cytomel a try?

THANKS!

bfuser · 06-11-2009, 11:59 AM

My doc added Cytomel about two years based on my reverse T3 results. I remained on the Armour/T3 combo for almost a year. I had more energy, and lost 20 pounds after I was taken off the Cytomel that before I was put on it.

My T3 levels have to be very high for me to function, but then I don't have a thyroid.

Ilpirata · 06-11-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfuser

My doc added Cytomel about two years based on my reverse T3 results. I remained on the Armour/T3 combo for almost a year. I had more energy, and lost 20 pounds after I was taken off the Cytomel that before I was put on it.

My T3 levels have to be very high for me to function, but then I don't have a thyroid.

So you lost twenty more pounds WITH the Cytomel?

(thanks!)

Leo41 · 06-11-2009, 12:32 PM

Kisha-

If your T3 is low, that could be why you're losing so slowly. You know my story--when my T3 tanked, I put on 10 lbs in two weeks even though I didn't change my eating habits at all. I love Cytomel, but, of course, I'm all synthetic:-)

Even though we're both hypo, you're so much younger than I am that you should lose more easily. My advice to everyone is get to goal before menopause!

Ilpirata · 06-11-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

Kisha-

If your T3 is low, that could be why you're losing so slowly. You know my story--when my T3 tanked, I put on 10 lbs in two weeks even though I didn't change my eating habits at all. I love Cytomel, but, of course, I'm all synthetic:-)

Even though we're both hypo, you're so much younger than I am that you should lose more easily. My advice to everyone is get to goal before menopause!

yeah I'm GLAD I'm getting the bloodwork this month! I haven't seen VFT in six weeks. again.

bfuser · 06-13-2009, 03:00 PM

My doctor put me on an Armour Cytomel combo to try to speed up my then nonexistent metabolism. (I have had a total thyroidectomy) While on the combo I lost around 1.5 to 2 lbs per month. When I went back to just Armour after the combo I lost the twenty pounds. It took me three months to lose that twenty pounds.

inatic · 06-14-2009, 08:47 AM

BFuser, perhaps you were over medicated? many who are HYPER gain or stuggle to lose as well.

bfuser · 06-14-2009, 03:05 PM

No, I wasn't over medicated, but thyroid hormone resistant. That is why she added the cytomel. I needed more T3 than I was able to convert from the T4 even though Armour had T3.

When she took me off the cytomel it some how triggered the Armour to work alone.

Ilpirata · 06-15-2009, 09:51 AM

Interesting. Well I'm going to push her to just increase my Armour and will only accept the cytomel addition if she absolutely refuses to up me from 90mg a day to 120

elise135 · 06-16-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

Interesting. Well I'm going to push her to just increase my Armour and will only accept the cytomel addition if she absolutely refuses to up me from 90mg a day to 120

Kisha, I don't know anything about cytomel, but I think we started the armour at the same time. My doctor has increased mine since then. I take 120mg in the morning and another 90 in the evening. (I am also premenopausal so weight loss is uber slow, but I am losing) Go to the stop the thyroid madness website, I think it gives advice on telling the doctor what you need.

nonstickpam107 · 06-16-2009, 07:46 AM

And then the doctor gives you advice on 'what you need' (usually to move to another doctor, unfortunately). Heh heh.

How MUCH Cytomel does the doc want to add to the Armour? That is the question.

Pam

elise135 · 06-16-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

And then the doctor gives you advice on 'what you need' (usually to move to another doctor, unfortunately). Heh heh.
Pam

I know you are right! I've fired a few doctors myself

I have crappy insurance and I pay out of pocket mostly, I like to make sure I am getting what I pay for! My body, my money!

Ilpirata · 06-16-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elise135

Kisha, I don't know anything about cytomel, but I think we started the armour at the same time. My doctor has increased mine since then. I take 120mg in the morning and another 90 in the evening. (I am also premenopausal so weight loss is uber slow, but I am losing) Go to the stop the thyroid madness website, I think it gives advice on telling the doctor what you need.

She ABSOLUTELY tried to give my synthetics at my first visit and I got her to agree to Armour. I'm still on the 90 mg per day only (THANK YOU for telling me where you're at right now). I'm going to ATTEMPT to push her to double my Armour at least to 90mg twice per day.

PAM, glad you chimed in. I actually don't know how much Cytomel she wants to give me. I just suspect thats the direction she's leaning. I think I can do one more good push for more Armour since I have lost about 10% of my weight since my last visit

nonstickpam107 · 06-17-2009, 07:31 AM

Well, you've got my blessing for more, lol. (not that that will count at the docs). Will pray that it's an easy 'push'. Point out that you are less depressed, have lost a little weight (with a great deal of effort) that you aren't 'anxious' or nervous at all, have no tremors in hands, tell her you are STILL constipated badly...until you get an increase. (hey, just trying to hit all the 'points' here).

Pam

Ilpirata · 06-17-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Well, you've got my blessing for more, lol. (not that that will count at the docs). Will pray that it's an easy 'push'. Point out that you are less depressed, have lost a little weight (with a great deal of effort) that you aren't 'anxious' or nervous at all, have no tremors in hands, tell her you are STILL constipated badly...until you get an increase. (hey, just trying to hit all the 'points' here).

Pam

Thanks Doll!

Ilpirata · 06-18-2009, 10:08 AM

T3 Total 85.5 (80.0 - 200.0)
TSH (who cares) .82 (.350 - 5.50)
Free T3 2.8 (2.3 - 4.2)
Free T4 1.20 (.80 - 1.80)

So based on those I'd say I'm right and could really use an Armour increase. The Free T3 isn't even halfway up range and neither is the Free T4. And whats up with that total T3 number? I'm not sure where that one SHOULD be in range? Its BARELY in range at all. Who knows how to read the T3 total number properly?

Thanks!

Ilpirata · 06-22-2009, 04:26 PM

Well she just offered me the option of more armour OR adding Cytomel. My choice! So of course I asked to up the Armour. She said 90mg in am plus 60mg in afternoon. I asked if 90 am and 90 afternoon was an option and she said OK!!!! She just said to watch for any hyper symptoms and to get new labs in two months.

OMG I'm SO FREAKING STOKED. Can't wait to start feeling better. Ok, I admit it I feel better already knowing that I've got the Armour I need now.

elise135 · 06-23-2009, 10:02 PM

Kisha, That's awesome!

Ilpirata · 06-23-2009, 11:20 PM

Thanks Elise! I swear I feel better already after just two whole days of the increase... my god the Thyroid really IS nothing to mess with!

elise135 · 06-24-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

Thanks Elise! I swear I feel better already after just two whole days of the increase... my god the Thyroid really IS nothing to mess with!

Your Welcome! Isn't it amazing that you feel better so quickly. It makes me so angry that it's so hard for us to get treated. I'm glad you found a doctor that will work with you. I found and awesome doctor. His office in an hour away but worth the trip.

mama2ab · 07-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elise135

Your Welcome! Isn't it amazing that you feel better so quickly. It makes me so angry that it's so hard for us to get treated. I'm glad you found a doctor that will work with you. I found and awesome doctor. His office in an hour away but worth the trip.

Would love to know where you finally found someone around Pgh. Would you be willing to share the name of the doctor?

elise135 · 07-07-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama2ab

Would love to know where you finally found someone around Pgh. Would you be willing to share the name of the doctor?

Of course, his name is Dr. Martin Gallagher, he is in Jeanette pa, but his office is close to the pa turnpike. It takes me about an hour to get there but I think it is worth the drive. Do a google search for him he has a nice website.

mama2ab · 07-07-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elise135

Of course, his name is Dr. Martin Gallagher, he is in Jeanette pa, but his office is close to the pa turnpike. It takes me about an hour to get there but I think it is worth the drive. Do a google search for him he has a nice website.

Thank you so much. My endo just left her practice, the second in two years...I thought I finally found someone willing to listen to me and not just look at my labs. It will be nice to get an opinion away from the same office and have more of a choice in what the two physicians say. THanks again!!

elise135 · 07-07-2009, 02:49 PM

You're welcome.

Good luck!

steeddog · 07-17-2009, 02:19 PM

I have been on Armour for 2 years. Started feeling hypo again in early spring. Dr. added Cytomel, and I do not like its side effects. Rapid heartrate, shakiness.
I am asking my dr. to switch me to Nature throid and drop the Cytomel.
Hope this helps.

Ilpirata · 07-17-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeddog

I have been on Armour for 2 years. Started feeling hypo again in early spring. Dr. added Cytomel, and I do not like its side effects. Rapid heartrate, shakiness.
I am asking my dr. to switch me to Nature throid and drop the Cytomel.
Hope this helps.

My doctor agreed to up my Armour rather than adding Cytomel and so far so good all symptoms have disappeared though I haven't yet dropped any weight. I'm right about where I was weight wise before it crashed out. Good luck getting off the cytomel and getting your dessicated thryoid increased. Keep me posted.

06-11-2009, 11:06 AM	#1
Ilpirata Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beautiful San Jose, CA Posts: 7,626 Gallery: Ilpirata Stats: 263/193/170 for now... WOE: Low Carb JUDD (Alternate Day Diet) Start Date: September 2007	Armour plus Cytomel I'm going into the Endo at the end of the month. I'm getting bloodwork done next week to see where I'm at. When I first saw her I was on 60mg of Armour from my GP. She agreed after much much haggling to increase me to 90mg. What she REALLY WANTED to do was to add Cytomel. Based on my bloodwork of course I strongly suspect that I'm not T3 optimized yet. If the test results bear this out I'm going to TRY to get her to increase me to 120mg of Armour. What I'm worried about is her only wanting to add cytomel not increase armour. So, here's my questions: Anyone here on Armour AND Cytomel? Anyone here start with Armour and then ADD Cytomel to it? How has it been? Is it worth it for me to push for the increased Armour or should I give adding Cytomel a try? THANKS! __________________ ~Kisha hypothyroid * five seven I am the Winston Churchill of weightloss. I will NEVER give up. I can do Hard things. VFT 187

06-18-2009, 10:08 AM	#16
Ilpirata Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beautiful San Jose, CA Posts: 7,626 Gallery: Ilpirata Stats: 263/193/170 for now... WOE: Low Carb JUDD (Alternate Day Diet) Start Date: September 2007	Just got my labs faxed T3 Total 85.5 (80.0 - 200.0) TSH (who cares) .82 (.350 - 5.50) Free T3 2.8 (2.3 - 4.2) Free T4 1.20 (.80 - 1.80) So based on those I'd say I'm right and could really use an Armour increase. The Free T3 isn't even halfway up range and neither is the Free T4. And whats up with that total T3 number? I'm not sure where that one SHOULD be in range? Its BARELY in range at all. Who knows how to read the T3 total number properly? Thanks!

06-22-2009, 04:26 PM	#17
Ilpirata Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beautiful San Jose, CA Posts: 7,626 Gallery: Ilpirata Stats: 263/193/170 for now... WOE: Low Carb JUDD (Alternate Day Diet) Start Date: September 2007	UPDATE Well she just offered me the option of more armour OR adding Cytomel. My choice! So of course I asked to up the Armour. She said 90mg in am plus 60mg in afternoon. I asked if 90 am and 90 afternoon was an option and she said OK!!!! She just said to watch for any hyper symptoms and to get new labs in two months. OMG I'm SO FREAKING STOKED. Can't wait to start feeling better. Ok, I admit it I feel better already knowing that I've got the Armour I need now.

07-07-2009, 02:49 PM	#24
elise135 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 367 Gallery: elise135 Stats: 232.5/189.5/135 WOE: whole food low carb Start Date: ?????	You're welcome. Good luck! Last edited by elise135; 07-07-2009 at 02:50 PM.. Reason: because I can't type

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06-11-2009, 11:59 AM	#2
bfuser Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 290 Gallery: bfuser Stats: 221/213/130 WOE: Metobolic Typing Start Date: November 2006	My doc added Cytomel about two years based on my reverse T3 results. I remained on the Armour/T3 combo for almost a year. I had more energy, and lost 20 pounds after I was taken off the Cytomel that before I was put on it. My T3 levels have to be very high for me to function, but then I don't have a thyroid.

06-11-2009, 12:32 PM	#4
Leo41 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,446 Gallery: Leo41	Kisha- If your T3 is low, that could be why you're losing so slowly. You know my story--when my T3 tanked, I put on 10 lbs in two weeks even though I didn't change my eating habits at all. I love Cytomel, but, of course, I'm all synthetic:-) Even though we're both hypo, you're so much younger than I am that you should lose more easily. My advice to everyone is get to goal before menopause!

06-13-2009, 03:00 PM	#6
bfuser Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 290 Gallery: bfuser Stats: 221/213/130 WOE: Metobolic Typing Start Date: November 2006	My doctor put me on an Armour Cytomel combo to try to speed up my then nonexistent metabolism. (I have had a total thyroidectomy) While on the combo I lost around 1.5 to 2 lbs per month. When I went back to just Armour after the combo I lost the twenty pounds. It took me three months to lose that twenty pounds.

06-14-2009, 08:47 AM	#7
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 13,806 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182/135 5'4 47!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach Supervised Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	BFuser, perhaps you were over medicated? many who are HYPER gain or stuggle to lose as well.

06-14-2009, 03:05 PM	#8
bfuser Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 290 Gallery: bfuser Stats: 221/213/130 WOE: Metobolic Typing Start Date: November 2006	No, I wasn't over medicated, but thyroid hormone resistant. That is why she added the cytomel. I needed more T3 than I was able to convert from the T4 even though Armour had T3. When she took me off the cytomel it some how triggered the Armour to work alone.

06-15-2009, 09:51 AM	#9
Ilpirata Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beautiful San Jose, CA Posts: 7,626 Gallery: Ilpirata Stats: 263/193/170 for now... WOE: Low Carb JUDD (Alternate Day Diet) Start Date: September 2007	Interesting. Well I'm going to push her to just increase my Armour and will only accept the cytomel addition if she absolutely refuses to up me from 90mg a day to 120

06-16-2009, 07:46 AM	#11
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 13,937 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	And then the doctor gives you advice on 'what you need' (usually to move to another doctor, unfortunately). Heh heh. How MUCH Cytomel does the doc want to add to the Armour? That is the question. Pam

06-17-2009, 07:31 AM	#14
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 13,937 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Well, you've got my blessing for more, lol. (not that that will count at the docs). Will pray that it's an easy 'push'. Point out that you are less depressed, have lost a little weight (with a great deal of effort) that you aren't 'anxious' or nervous at all, have no tremors in hands, tell her you are STILL constipated badly...until you get an increase. (hey, just trying to hit all the 'points' here). Pam

06-23-2009, 10:02 PM	#18
elise135 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 367 Gallery: elise135 Stats: 232.5/189.5/135 WOE: whole food low carb Start Date: ?????	Kisha, That's awesome!

06-23-2009, 11:20 PM	#19
Ilpirata Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Beautiful San Jose, CA Posts: 7,626 Gallery: Ilpirata Stats: 263/193/170 for now... WOE: Low Carb JUDD (Alternate Day Diet) Start Date: September 2007	Thanks Elise! I swear I feel better already after just two whole days of the increase... my god the Thyroid really IS nothing to mess with!

07-17-2009, 02:19 PM	#25
steeddog Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Gallery: steeddog	I have been on Armour for 2 years. Started feeling hypo again in early spring. Dr. added Cytomel, and I do not like its side effects. Rapid heartrate, shakiness. I am asking my dr. to switch me to Nature throid and drop the Cytomel. Hope this helps.