Generic Name: Cytomel (liothyronine)
For Underactive Thyroid "I suffered for 5 years with Anxiety and Depression. I tried many, many antidepressants. Nothing worked. My T3 levels were very low but my TSH was only slightly high. One doctor treated me with Synthroid but I had no changes. I saw many doctors, including an endocrinologist, that told me that nothing was wrong with my thyroid. After spending many hours online looking for answers, I found an endocrinologist who said he would try treating me with Cytomel. Within a day, I felt AMAZING! It was like someone put new batteries in my body! I am finally able to be happy and live life again! Truly a Miracle!"
For Underactive Thyroid "I was on Synthroid only for 8 years after being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. My dose was changed many times over that time frame by 4 different Endocrinologists, but I still felt bad: weight gain, fogginess, depression, chronic fatigue, you name it. 6 weeks ago, I was put on 10 mcg of Cytomel by a new doc that I am seeing 100 miles from my hometown, and I am happy to say that for the first time in 8 years, I have relief from my symptoms. I have lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks. I am happy, not in a fog anymore, and I have the energy to enjoy life once again. The Cytomel made all the difference."
For Underactive Thyroid "My doctor and I tried every T4 medication out there, and although I felt better, I still wasn't right. After 2 years, he switched me to Cytomel, and I immediately knew I had found the solution. All the hypo symptoms disappeared - constipation, depression, weight gain, and exhaustion. My cholesterol dropped to 140... in fact, all my blood work is excellent. It's very discouraging to know you're doing everything right - diet, exercise, sleep - and not only do your lab numbers not respond, but doctors tend to think you're not telling them the truth. Finally found a doctor that believed me; finally found the right medication. Life is good!"
For Underactive Thyroid "1st day of taking this medication and I feel amazing. I have been on Synthroid (levothyroxine) for 15 years. I finally broke down and asked my endocrinologist if I would ever have a life again. He decided to lower the Synthroid and add the Cytomel. My energy on the first day was astounding. Will update with any changes."
For Underactive Thyroid "I am so angry at every doctor that told me my TSH and T4 were normal and I was fine. After many years, I switched doctors, and the new doc was the first one that tested T3, mine was very low, so I started taking Cytomel and am feeling great! All those wasted years, I could cry."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "Changed my life. On Synthroid, I only felt exhausted and totally dysfunctional. Adding Cytomel improved my well-being, mood, and energy level. It does have a greater reducing factor on your TSH. But, so what. I do not have a thyroid, my bones, and cardiac function are fine, and I feel normal. Endocrinologists often feel that adding T3 is not necessary. They need to change their thinking."
For Underactive Thyroid "Synthroid is the problem most of you have, not the Cytomel. Medical school materials were furnished and influenced by Big Pharma to keep us sick and depending on their harmful drugs. If you develop joint and bone and swelling pain. Insist your dr. tries you on T3 only starting at 1/2 of 5 mcg and increase to 5 mcg and if needed continue in small dosages until you're feeling normal again. No need to be on T4. Doctors don't need to go by your T4 blood levels, they need to go by your T3 and how you're feeling. Not everyone is the same in body weight, height, immune system, etc. Eventually if you want to heal from thyroid meds you need to see a Naturopath doctor that will treat your liver toxicity!"
For Underactive Thyroid "Synthroid by itself was not effective. It is of great interest to me that so many other people have had the experience of being told by a physician that everything is fine while everything was, decidedly, NOT FINE! (making long story short due to length restriction. Details need space.) Large dosage of Synthroid ineffective, nurse practitioner certain nothing wrong, physician A dosage is ok but maybe a small bump, small effect for short period then return to pre-bump effect, concerned that observation due to psychological rather than physiological waited, physician B does further workup, physician B sees most of Synthroid dosage going to reverse T3 (physiologically ineffective) adds Cytomel, the improvement was immediate; not psych."
For Underactive Thyroid "I took Synthroid for several years and kept telling doctors that I didn't feel good. I kept gaining weight, my joints hurt, and I had no energy. More than one doctor told me I didn't have a problem, that it was all in my head, and that nothing was wrong with me. After my second child, I figured out that it was the medicine and weaned myself off of it. With a TSH of 72, I lost 60 pounds, my joint pain went away, and my energy came back. A wonderful OBGYN found out about me and my TSH score when I got pregnant with my third child. He was smart enough to talk me into trying T3 Cytomel. It has been a Godsend. I have taken it faithfully for 20 years and would not miss a single dose. I can't live without it."
For Underactive Thyroid "I took Armour Thyroid for a few years, felt okay but still gaining weight and not much energy. Then I was switched to levothyroxine and felt about the same. Then added 2x 5 mcg of Cytomel. It literally knocked me out for hours after taking the first two days. Then when I woke up, it was like somebody turned the lights on in the room. Everything seemed clearer and I could think straighter again. I love the stuff. I take 1 2x a day 6 hours apart."
For Underactive Thyroid "Adding 10mcg of Cytomel to my T4 medicine was just what my body needed to clear up those lingering hypothyroid symptoms that just wouldn't go away, no matter how good my lab numbers looked or other healthy habits I developed. Doctors seem really hesitant to prescribe it, but if you're hypothyroid and T4 alone isn't working, your body just might need some T3."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I had my thyroid removed 3 years ago. I have been on various T4 supplements since: Synthroid, levothyroxine, Tirosint, and continued to complain of fatigue, fogginess, weight gain, achiness, shortness of breath at exercise. FINALLY switched doctors as my Indian doctor would not try Armour. The new nurse practitioner looked at my labs: high T4, nonexistent T3. She switched me back to Synthroid and decreased the dosage, then added, for the FIRST time, Cytomel (T3). Within 3 days I have noticed a HUGE difference. So happy and still nailing the time test. BUT, fog is lifting, energy level increasing, sleeping well, HAPPY. I am hoping this continues. Noticed a slight headache at first but not bad. Will continue to cautiously be excited that we are ON to something."
For Underactive Thyroid "Cytomel is making my brain work so much better again! I tried it several years ago and it made me jittery, I felt like I had a huge amount of caffeine in me... not this time! I'm in perimenopause and I understand the estrogen dominance can be a thyroid hormone antagonist, making it difficult to convert. Cytomel has helped me feel almost entirely back to normal and I have the energy to exercise again!"
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "An endocrinologist put me on the 50 mg per day post TT. I felt tremendous. Then my insurance changed, and I had to find a new doctor. The new doctor refused to prescribe Cytomel. So for several years, I’ve been on Synthroid 200 and 300, and then Nature-Throid 3 grains. The Nature-Throid won out over the Synthroid by far. But my total T3 and FT3 were still tanked. I began seeing a functional medicine doctor who suggested T3-only medication. WHAT A LIFE CHANGER! I take 25 mg per day. Gone is the anxiety, mood swings, depression, weight gain, brain fog, and insomnia. I feel like a brand new person at 62. My doctor follows my labs closely, and all thyroid levels are in range (FT3 upper range, FT4 mid-range). I highly recommend trying this monotherapy if you don’t have a thyroid gland and other medication regimens have failed."
For Underactive Thyroid "Was treated with antidepressants and antipsychotics for almost a year since the doctor's opinion was that my symptoms of weight gain, lack of energy, depression, and dizziness were due to psychosis. Only after a year, I was given a blood test and told that I have an autoimmune disease. No longer take any antidepressants or antipsychotics, only take 12.5 mcg in the morning. Can now sleep 8 instead of 14 hours a day, feel awake during the day, have energy and willingness to do things. Definitely helped with depression and anxiety. If only the blood test was performed earlier!"
For Underactive Thyroid "I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and had my TSH go up to 55.2. I was being treated with Synthroid and got up to 100 mcg. I was not converting the T4 to T3, so I asked for Cytomel. It took a bit to get the correct dosage, but this hormone gave me back my life."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I've taken this medication for a month and I can say it has changed my life: more energy, more sex drive, and losing weight. The only drawback was I get migraine headaches when I don't drink enough water. Drink lots of water with this medication."
For Underactive Thyroid "I have had hypothyroidism for over twenty years now. Took high levels of Synthroid for years and felt okay but not perfect. Started Cytomel 3 years ago, regulated dosage until it was just right. It takes a little time to regulate it to your exact dosage but be patient, it's worth it."
For Underactive Thyroid "Hashimoto's patient. Take 88 mcg of Synthroid and took 5 mcg of Cytomel for almost a year. Felt better at first and then felt completely insane. Mood swings, anxiety, depression, rage, tachycardia, and hand tremors. Sketchy stuff that. If you feel crazy, cut the Cytomel before you get on or up your antidepressants."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have had Hashimoto's hypothyroidism for 40 years. I was on generic levothyroxine for most of that time. As I reached 50, my new endocrinologist decided I should add 5mcg (of very potent) T3, also known as Cytomel, to my 150mcg of levothyroxine. Initially, like many patients, I felt great, then it got real bad. I am sorry, I know some people do very well on it, but many do not. Here is what I experienced in order of severity: Super dark Thoughts, Severe Depression, Rage, Rapidly Cycling Moods, Facial Swelling, Extreme Itching, Nighttime Coughing, Intense Migraines, Insomnia, Heat Intolerance, Dilated Neck Veins, Extreme Fatigue, Hot Flashes with the Inability to Sweat. If you experience any or all of these, you are not alone and you are not crazy!"
For Underactive Thyroid "Have been on Synthroid and thyroid for years. Never felt completely well on either one of them. Thyroid levels have been up and down for the past 2 years and can never seem to have a good balance between T3 and T4. Endocrinologist reduced my Synthroid and added Cytomel 2 times a day. Have been taking this almost 2 months and I am finally getting back some energy. My T3 and T4 levels are finally balancing out. I no longer have to take naps all day because I am tired. Muscle aches have subsided and feeling positive for the first time in a long time. I hope this continues."
For Underactive Thyroid "After being hypothyroid for many years and having good results on Synthroid and natural thyroid, it went on backorder for a few months and I had to switch to Cytomel. I felt immediate changes, more alert and a little more energy. However, after taking it for a few years, about 70% of my hair fell out (in clumps and I tried everything to stop the hair loss), and I've had chronic insomnia, huge appetite increase, higher blood pressure, anxiety attacks, hot flashes, etc."
For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have been taking Cytomel to complement Synthroid for 2 days and my life has already changed for the better! I feel alive, and my severe sweating and hot flashes have subsided - so far. I am SO VERY happy now."
For Underactive Thyroid "My doctor recommended this since my symptoms weren't going away on levothyroxine alone. Worst year of my life. Mood swings and crippling anxiety. This drug made me completely irrational, and the anxiety got so bad that daily activities, like driving my car, would make my heart race and hands shake. Wish I could get that year of my life back."
For Underactive Thyroid "Upon 5 days of taking Cytomel at a dose of 5 mcg per day, I had burning rashes on my chest up to my ears. Was taken to the ER 3x for tachycardia, heart failure, thyroid failure, sweating, confusion, arrhythmia, panic attacks, nausea, pain, twitching on the left side of my body, and more. Thyroid failure continued after stopping the medication, still to today not recovered. It is 10 months after the fact, and I have permanent damage. Tachycardia, nervous system, thyroid dysfunction, hair loss, excessive weight gain, 4 hours of functionality per day at most. I lost the ability to work and function like a normal person at 43 years old. I cannot exercise nor do simple chores without raising my heart rate excessively and blood pressure. I had perfect blood pressure and heart function prior to taking Cytomel."
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