Cytomel and tsh
Common Questions and Answers about Cytomel and tsh
cytomel
Three weeks ago I had a TSH of 64 and started at 50 mcg of synthroid and have been increasing by 50 mcg per week. My TSH was still high (88 this week) so I am now back at 150 mcg of Synthroid at the Drs direction. I feel much better with some T3, so I've added 5 mcg of the cytomel generic in the am. My Dr. did a Reverse T3 test just this week that came back as 171 pg/ML (range 90-350), but didn't explain the result and whether or not I do need the T3. Very frustrated.
So, out of network, I saw a doctor willing to work with supplements and hormones and returned to a combo of Levoxyl/Cytomel, will bring in Selenium, some B12 and an Adrenal Support. Also recommended was a very small amount of liquid Iodine 1-2 x a week.
Here are the past two labs and the medication doses I was on. Since the change to Tirosent and the increase to 30 mcg Cytomel, I am more tired.
And can't seem drop an ounce of weight, despite a really strict diet.
Please post your actual thyroid hormone levels, and be sure to include reference ranges which vary lab to lab and have to be posted with results.
Why are you on both, cytomel and Armour? Why not just get on a high enough dose of Armour to do the trick?
It's not unusual for TSH to be suppressed (disappear) when on thyroid replacement med, particularly those with a T3 component, such as cytomel or Armour. I'm on generic liothyornine (generic cytomel) and my TSH lives a < 0.01.
My husband and I are considering a move to London, but I'm really concerned about finding a doctor that will test Free T3/Free T4, prescribe Cytomel, take my symptoms into account and ignore TSH.
At six months since starting medicine for Hashi/Hypo, we moved to London. At the time, I was taking T4 only. On my first visit/labs they reduced my T4 dose based exclusively on TSH which was in range (.8), but they wanted my TSH over 1.
9 and TSH-2.91. Since that time your doctor has had you increase Cytomel twice, once to 10 mcg, then to 15 mcg (which you did just last Friday). Then you had TSH of 0.36 and FT4 of 0.9 and no FT3 on 8/4/11. So, the integrative doctor has increased your Cytomel with no further FT3 test beyond 7/7. Do I have all that straight?
To tell you the truth, that makes me totally uncomfortable...too many Cytomel increase without seeing FT3 labs.
After 4 years on Armor thyroid, my MD switched me to synthroid 25 mcg and cytomel 5 mcg 1 bid (tid prn). I am a 50 y.o females who is s/p total hysterectomy for ovarian ca. I take Estratest FS 4 X's week. I am feeling MUCH better with the Synthroid and Cytomel, however, my latest labs have come back as follows: TSH- .062
Free Thyroxin-- 1.
Just a bit of Thyroid 101 and forgive me if I tell you things you already know, but it might help you understand a bit better, how the meds work.
When the thyroid is working properly, the pituitary scans for thyroid hormones and when they are low, the pituitary produces TSH to stimulate the thyroid into producing thyroid hormones. When it works, it works well, but when communication breaks down, we have a mess on our hands.
The thyroid produces 2 main hormones.
Is this common or normal--the problem is I am having the symptoms again since starting the cytomel, my hair is breaking off--ALOT and my energy levels are low and I am holding onto fluids---Retaining lots of water, and my labs went down--my syn dose was not adjusted, doc just added cytomel?? and my labs are like this TSH .40, FT3 1.99 and Ft4 is .64??? borderline low even with syn?? What are your thoughts?? I am on a very strict diet--could that be the problem??
re getting a lot of T3 between the Armour and the Cytomel) often suppress TSH even more readily. You are only hyper if you feel hyper.
Which doctor ran the TT4 and TSH tests you post above? TT4 is considered obsolete, replaced with FREE T4, which is more useful. FREE T3 should also be included, especially when you're on meds with T3 in them.
This week I was able to see a endocrinologist and he repeated my labs. Now my TSH is 1.9, he decided to change my synthroid to 100 much and added Cytomel 5mcg twice a day. I’m not familiar with Cytomel, will the addition of this medicine compensate reducing my synthroid? Will it help with my Simptoms? Thank you!
I am on Armour and had a Free T3 of 2.7 and free T4 of .82. My TSH was 0.3. At first my md said the low T3 and T4 were probabaly the problem and then about faced and said they are not that low; however, I am tired all of the time, lethargic, have weight gain even though I am not one bit hungry. I was increased by my primary care from 90 mg to 120 mg until I got to my new md. My new results show Free T3 at 3.1 (2.0-4.4), Free T4 at 1.01 (.82 -1.77) and TSH at .03.
I wouldn't advise adding cytomel without knowing what your actual thyroid levels are -- that's Free T4, Free T3 and TSH. T3 med (cytomel) is about 4 times more potent than the T4 med (synthroid) and it can really throw you for a loop if you don't need it. It can cause very rapid heart rate, palps, etc.
Whenever cytomel is added, the T4 med should be dropped accordingly. Did you receive the cytomel from your doctor or as a script? What did your doctor say about adding it?
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