Cytomel for hashimoto's
Common Questions and Answers about Cytomel for hashimoto's
cytomel
Hello, I am a 44yo female. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's for 15 years (confirmed with FNA). I do have a benign nodule on the right that on ultrasound is the same size as one of my other thyroid lobes- otherwise uneventful on ultrasound.
I am currently taking Synthroid 150mcg and Cytomel 5mcg. I exercise 5 days/wk, keep track of steps/calorie intake…can not seem to budge weight. In fact, I have gained another 10 pounds in the past month.
Hello,
I was diagnosed with Hashimotos hypothyroid and have been taking 100 synthriod and 25 cytomel for a few years now. I recently had a routine blood test that showed my tsh below .0075 and my t3 at 367. My t4 was in range at 10. My doctor had a lot of concern as I quickly jumped from hypothyroid to hyperthyroid. He mentioned something about coma at these high levels. He dropped my synthroid dose down to 75 and is retesting me in 4-6 weeks.
Appreciate your help. I've been on Armour for 13 years. The only change we've made is adding the cytomel. I don't think I've ever had a TgAb test. I will ask the doctor about it. I hope my body is just trying to figure out what's going on. Yesterday My Doctor upped my Armour from 60 to 90mg and reduced my cytomel from 10 to 5 mcg to see if we could get my ft4 up.
Since I was a kid I've had this problem, used to be hyper, then in college developed Hashimoto's and have been hypo ever since. So, have been on Synthroid 20 plus years. Lingering symptoms include fatigue, memory issues, lack of concentration, hip joint pain. Have been diagnosed with CFS. I should correct the holistic statement, the doctor i'm seeing is an MD not a naturopath, but she is convinced that T4 does not work well for Hashimoto's.
I have had Hashimoto's for a couple years and am on 75mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg Cytomel. The Cytomel seems to help with depression and irritability. I am frustrated with this disease for many reasons but the most troublesome is the lack of sexual desire. My endo has said it's a symptom and I have read it is on many sites but I don't see much talk about it in forums. Is anyone else experiencing this and what have you done to improve it?
Hashimoto's can NOT be cured. Once you have the antibodies, you will always have them. Their numbers may be reduced, but they will stay and continue to eat away at your thyroid until they kill it off. I know we all wish there was some miracle thing out there that would get rid of the antibodies, but it's just not there.
With Hashimoto's, should I take both Synthroid and Cytomel? Some docs prescribe both; others only the synthroid. What does the Cytomel add?
Your FT4 is is still below range and your FT3, just barely in range.
You asked "Are these results hypo and what are the normal numbers I am trying to achieve?" Yes, in my opinion, those results show that you are still hypo. The normal numbers you are trying to achieve is wherever you feel the best.
A rule of thumb is to try to get FT4 levels to about mid point in its range and FT3 levels into the upper 1/3 of its range. Both of your levels have a long way to go.
I need a doctor that is great with cytomel, tsh suppression, hashimoto's, etc., I am sick of wasting my time with all these doctors that do not listen. Anybody know any cytomel friendly doctor's that are currently taking patients and working in or around the Seattle area???
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?
I take 30mg Armour and 5 mcg Cytomel in the morning at 6:30am and 30mg Armour and 5 McG Cytomel again at 3pm. I feel great, much better than when they had me on just 30mg Armour once a day.
I have been taking cytomel 7.5 mcg and synthroid 110 mcg for the past 6 monthts for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. When i started this med regime my hair started growing beutifully and i was feeling great. . Suddenly a few weeks ago i started feeling tired and my hair is now falling in clumps. I was re tested and my dr. States that all tests are normal with a twist of possibile hyperthyroidism. Mr. Dr.
Results at 1:15 p.m. on 12-16-11 TSH .95 (.45-4.50), T4Free 1.8 (.7-1.5) T3Free 3.6 (2.3-4.2). I am on synthroid and was back on cytomel before this test. Back on 10-29-11 my TSH was 13.33. I was off cytomel at the time and was trying synthroid at night. While I am feeling a little better and feeling like I was actually better staying on the cytomel , I still feel like synthroid and synthroid plus cytomel has not helped much. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's over 10 years ago.
I have been diagnosed several years ago with Hashimoto's Disease/Hypothyriodism w/goiter. My levels are checked every 3 months or so and levels fairly inconsistant for about a year on 137mcg. Currently I am on 137mcg. Synthroid daily. My May TSH levels was 0.888 and dr. decreased my meds. to 125mcg.
I have read a lot about Maca how it is suppose to naturally balance your hormones without having any hormones in it, good for bones etc . I took it for a while then I was told that it may not be good for some thyroid patients hence I was told "While maca root is generally beneficial for users with thyroid problems, individuals suffering from Hashimoto's hypothyroidism are encouraged to avoid maca root and use black currant oil instead. According to user feedback posted on SoulCysters.
Here is some information on Hashitoxicosis...
Excerpt from the article: The Medical Journal Of European Endocrinology - Hashitoxicosis – Three Cases and a Review of the Literature...
"It should be pointed out that, especially in the US literature, the term ‘hashitoxicosis’ is sometimes used to describe an autoimmune thyroid disease overlap syndrome of Graves’ and Hashimoto’s disease. In this article the term is strictly limited to the ‘leakage’ symptoms of active Hashimoto’s disease.
You might consider going up to 5mcg's of Cytomel. Usually the dosage of Cytomel is 5-10% of the T4 dosage and at 2.5 you are taking less than that. Plus, your free t3 has room to move up. Most feel best with a free t3 over 350.
Dear Dr, Lupo thanks for all your answers that you post here, I was diagnose with Hashimoto's back in 2007 my TPO was 1270 and antithyroglobulin 500 (T4)8.6 T3 28 TSH 10.76 was taking Synthroid100mcg at the begining now I am up to Synthroid 200mgc for 6 months and got retested this year and my levels are TPO 1413 and antithyroglobulin 645 Thyrozine (T4) 15.1 and t3 25 TSH 2.014. The Dr. found no reflexions on my ankles and he said I had a stubborn Hashimoto's. He prescribed Cytome 5MCG.
I've had hashimoto's thyroiditis for over 20 years, but 13 years ago I started having what are considered fibromyalgia symptoms. I personally believe they are from the Hashimoto's, but they are not going away while being in range with my TSH. I'm on Levoxyl and my doctor just put me on Cytomel as well and I still have all these symptoms.
Recommended
