Cytomel and weight loss
Common Questions and Answers about Cytomel and weight loss
cytomel
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?
While on the cytomel, I was losing weight, about 5-6 pounds per week, (lost 23 pounds and was thrilled with this!) had energy, and was able to sleep through the night, which has been a rarity the last few years, and my boyfriend says I don't snore anymore!! I told the endos this that told me to get off the cytomel, that I was feeling so much better, etc. and they still said to get off of it immediately.
ve been complaining to my doctors for years (literally since 2003) about symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, inability to lose weight, and weight gain. Started testing for thyroid problems in 2003, but they only did the TSH test which always came back normal. Never did the free T4 test until 2005. I'm a concerned about pituitary problems as this is what i have read from various cites (mayo clinic and a couple of other good sites).
About 5 weeks ago my doctor added 5mcg of Cytomel twice a day. My anxiety, lethargy, ADD, depression, and hair loss have really calmed down but I still have a low body temperature - normally in the 96-97 range and my weight hasn't budged at all. I also am so bloated all the time - I am so uncomfortable in my body.
Do I need to be on a higher dose of cytomel or should I may be looking into getting tested for insulin resistance?
I went to physician weight loss two years ago and loss 75 pds. I have since gained 38 of the 75 pds. Never did my first doctor suggest to go to an endo/thyroid specialist. I complained about my weight, fatigue, and tiredness before but it fell on deaf ears. I thought it was something that I was doing wrong. So when I got off of physician weight loss I thought all I had to do was continue with exercise and a controlled diet. I was wrong.
t exercise, my weight is 135. i exercise and my weight goes up to almost 140. i think the exercise must make you retain water or something. i don't know. it's trustrating, and it sounds like you're similar to me in that regard.
definitely post your FT4 and FT3 with reference ranges. maybe your FT4 is a little low and FT3 is a little high or vice versa. tsh is only one piece of the puzzle. the other values are needed to see the whole picture.
I also started to become very depressed. I was switched to 112 Synthroid and 5 Cytomel. The weight stabilized at 142lb - great! However, the depression is still here, I still get tired, and my toes and fingers get uncontrollably cold lately. I also started getting slightly sick in the morning about an hour after taking the Synthroid. My last blood test showed TSH of 0.1mIU/L.
I am on 125mcg of synthroid and want to add cytomel because of still suffering from fatigue and weight gain. My physician prescribed 25mcg of cytomel and said to discontinue the synthroid. I cannot get into an endo until Feb. and would like to combine the two but am not sure what doses to take reducing my synthroid and adding the cytomel?
Even though health wise I felt better most of the time had issues with weight gain and most disturbing hair loss. I have almost gone bald and have been trying to adjust meds just to stop hair loss. 6 months back shifted to brand synthroid 62.5 mcg. Felt fine but hair loss didn't stop. Recently read a lot about cytomegalovirus so asked my endo about it. I am prescribed cytomegalovirus 5mcg + 50 mcg synthroid.
NDT and Cytomel will work for some people. T4 meds work for some people. T4 and Cytomel will work for some. NDT only works for some. The bottom line is that it is not the type of med that matters most. The important thing is getting your biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 up to a level that relieve symptoms. That can be accomplished with adequate doses of T4 meds, if your body adequately converts T4 to T3.
Cytomel really shouldn't be taken for weight loss. It's okay to take some, along with some T4, but you really should try for a balance between the two. Also, you are on a pretty high dose. The increase from 25 to 50 was huge.
After two years on Cytomel, do you have any more weight to lose? Do you have peaks and valleys in your energy level throughout the day? How do you take your Cytomel? Do you split it into more than one dose?
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.
I just passed on a doctors appt today to do one of those non conventional weight loss things. I have about 25 more to lose and my impatience is growing tremdously. Yet I was so ill for years before getting optimal just shy a year ago this month. I took a step back and thought I need more time right now to maintain a healthy balance instead of reaching out again for something that may harm all the good that I am know having.
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