Question about Cytomel

[sudo59]

Hi All,

I am on 50mcg's of Cytomel a day, while I understand that Cytomel is supposedly fast acting does it also leave your body fast too? Or, does it build up in your system over time like Synthroid.

I just ask this because when I was on synthroid my weight came back to a normal range rather quickly, I have been on Cytomel for almost four weeks now and my weight is not budging...

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Leo41]

Wow! I think 50mcg a day of Cytomel is really high because I'm on only 15mcg a day, and I began with 5 mcg and gradually increased.

Cytomel works differently from the T4 you take. For me, it was very fast acting. When I began, I wasn't converting, and my T3 was very, very low--below the lab range. I had gained weight and was unbearably fatigued, but I got relief very dramatically within 48 hours.

Cytomel isn't active long--I read here that it's about 4-5 hours. So I take my dosage twice (5 mcg and 10 mcg) during the day. I'd take it in 3 doses except that you aren't supposed to have any calcium within 4 hours, and I have trouble with my muti-vitamin conflicting if I spread it out throughout the day.

Did you begin at a lower dosage and work up? I ask because I've read that it's possible that taking too much Cytomel can cause it to work ineffectively, but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Keep in mind that Cytomel won't CAUSE weight loss--it will permit you to lose weight. For example, when my T3 tanked, I gained 10 lbs in 2 weeks with a WOE on which I'd been steadily losing. When my T3 was back up, I had to lose those 10 lbs as slowly as any other weight gain.

[sudo59]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Wow! I think 50mcg a day of Cytomel is really high because I'm on only 15mcg a day, and I began with 5 mcg and gradually increased.

Cytomel works differently from the T4 you take. For me, it was very fast acting. When I began, I wasn't converting, and my T3 was very, very low--below the lab range. I had gained weight and was unbearably fatigued, but I got relief very dramatically within 48 hours.

Cytomel isn't active long--I read here that it's about 4-5 hours. So I take my dosage twice (5 mcg and 10 mcg) during the day. I'd take it in 3 doses except that you aren't supposed to have any calcium within 4 hours, and I have trouble with my muti-vitamin conflicting if I spread it out throughout the day.

Did you begin at a lower dosage and work up? I ask because I've read that it's possible that taking too much Cytomel can cause it to work ineffectively, but I'm not sure if that's true or not. Keep in mind that Cytomel won't CAUSE weight loss--it will permit you to lose weight. For example, when my T3 tanked, I gained 10 lbs in 2 weeks with a WOE on which I'd been steadily losing. When my T3 was back up, I had to lose those 10 lbs as slowly as any other weight gain.

I'm not currently taking synthroid. When my Dr. first discoved I was hypo he started me on 125mcg's of synthroid, I went hyper within 6 weeks so he lowered my dose to 75mcgs. (when I was on the 125 I dropped weight rapidly) When he switched me to the 75mcg's of synthroid I started gaining weight again, then he took me off of the 75mcg's too thinking that I never was hypo to begin with. Well, 6 weeks after not being on anything I went hypo again, soooooooo, back to square one. This time instead of synthroid he put me on Cytomel alone, and no he didn't have me ease into it, I started day one taking a 25mcg in the morning and again in the evening. I feel okay on it, I just thought my weight would come back down again.

[Leo41]

I don't like to be critical (and I don't know your lab results), but your doctor seems to be treating strangely. When I was first diagnosed hypo, my endo started me on 75mcg. of Levoxyl (form of synthroid), but I had a racing heart the following week, so she dropped me down to 50 mcg. for a couple of months and then raised it. I did fine after that. I later read that it's standard to begin at a slightly lower dosage and then raise it, especially if prescribing for the first time. It seems to me that your problem with synthroid was that the dosage was too high initially.

I also think that you're way high on Cytomel. When I was Rx'd, I checked, and it's standard to begin at 5 mcg and raise it in increments of 5 mcg as needed. I don't see how your T3 could have been any lower than mine, since mine barely registered when I began Cytomel at 5 mcg.

It seems to me that if you're getting too much, it can cause more harm than good, but I'm not a physician, so I can't be sure. But the dosages your doctor is prescribing seem way too high for initial treatment.

[sudo59]

I don't get it either, why he starts me so high that is. Actually I didn't know the Cytomel was high until I started reading what other people are taking. I do remember him saying that he was starting me on a somewhat high dose but I don't remember what reason he gave. I have another 3 weeks before I go in to get rechecked. I guess I'll just stay on this dose for now and talk to him then.

Just a side note though, I have seen where other people are on a high dose as well, but they probably worked their way up to it...

[organic_donna]

Well then my doctor is also clueless. I started out on 25mcg Cytomel 2X a day, (the same dose as you are on), without taking any Synthroid. I had swollen eyes from the reformulated Armour and had to stop. I am waiting for Nature-Throid to become available.
Donna

[Leo41]

Donna-
But if you were on Armour, you were already getting T3, and your doctor prescribed Cytomel to replace what you were getting, so he gave you an equivalent dosage--I'm guessing. The original poster wasn't on any T3 and began at a high dosage. That's completely different.

[Unicorn212]

I was on 137 mcg of generic levo, but this new doc took me off of it and put me on 50 mcg/day of generic T3 only on 9/30. (I started at 25 mcg/day for the first week.) I am splitting my dose (not mentioned by pharmacy or doc). I go back mid November. I feel much better, but no weight loss in spite of watching calories and exercising (the feet are still sore so I am somewhat limited, but I do work up a sweat on my Wii).

[nonstickpam107]

I think we need to keep in mind (regarding weight loss, etc.) that hyPER people GAIN weight like CRAZY because their T3 is over range. That's right, more than 80% GAIN weight, not lose weight.

I always know when my FT3 is too high...I bloat up, can't lose an inch, and feel like crap. Maybe someone should tell these doctors what happens when too much synthetic T3 goes into the body too fast.

Pam

[sudo59]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

I think we need to keep in mind (regarding weight loss, etc.) that hyPER people GAIN weight like CRAZY because their T3 is over range. That's right, more than 80% GAIN weight, not lose weight.

I always know when my FT3 is too high...I bloat up, can't lose an inch, and feel like crap. Maybe someone should tell these doctors what happens when too much synthetic T3 goes into the body too fast.

Pam

I have to wonder if that is what is happening to me. Honest to God, if you saw what I ate daily and amount of excericse I do then there is no way I should not be able to drop a few pounds. I track my calories daily on two different websites AND I do a MINIMUM of an hour of cardio a day, whether it be walking, running, or biking as well as lifting weights. Maybe I'm getting too much T3 now, cuz I always feel like a baloon that is about to pop!

So, here is my next question, now that I have been on the 50mcg's a day will my body adjust and the bloat go away OR should I just start taking on 25mcg's a day and see what happens??? Any suggesions?

[nonstickpam107]

Yes, my suggestion is to go and have your Free T4 and Free T3 done now. If your FT4 isn't in bottom third of range and your FT3 (five hours after taking 25mcg. T3) is over range than you need to be balanced with both, not just keep taking more T3.

You shouldn't necessarily be doing cardio either...it will overdrive the adrenals (if they aren't already overdriven by all that T3 with no T4).

Are you having any hyper symptoms? Several loose stools a day, shaky quads, hands held out in front of you, heart palps, inability to sleep?

Pam

[sudo59]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Yes, my suggestion is to go and have your Free T4 and Free T3 done now. If your FT4 isn't in bottom third of range and your FT3 (five hours after taking 25mcg. T3) is over range than you need to be balanced with both, not just keep taking more T3.

You shouldn't necessarily be doing cardio either...it will overdrive the adrenals (if they aren't already overdriven by all that T3 with no T4).

Are you having any hyper symptoms? Several loose stools a day, shaky quads, hands held out in front of you, heart palps, inability to sleep?

Pam

No cardio??? Okay, explain that on to me, I don't understand that one...

I am not currently having any hyper symptoms at all. I actually feel okay, except for the feeling like I'm going to burst! I have to say though, it seems like my weight and bloatiness can fluctuate throughout the day. I feel my best when I'm doing my cardio...

[nonstickpam107]

Simple. The more cardio you do, the more you tax the adrenals. The more you tax your adrenals, the more the T3 makes you bloat. I've seen weeks where, when I STOPPED doing cardio (yes I still did a slow, leisurely burn with weights, lots of resting in between) that I would lose about ten pounds of bloat.

Pam