jo cohen

I just learned that Cytomel for thyroid problems works on both T3 and T4,
vs. drugs like Synthroid(Levoxyl) that affect just T4. Cytomel is also
supposed to help with ppl. who have mood swings or depression. Does anyone
know more about this? Sandy? TSNW? PatP?

Thanks,

Jo

pparent112

This is a good website:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/drugs/cytomel.htm

It does say that it can enhance

My own experiences with Cytomel haven't been positive, remembering I am on
complete replacement and I need to always be slightly hyperthyrodic (this is
what is keeping me from going out of remission from the cancer). I tried it
for four months after surgery and my blood work wasn not consistent.

Pat

jo cohen

Thanks so much, Pat. I will pass this along.
Jo

markm is an idiot

You have it A-backwards, Jo.

Cytomel is synthetic T-3.

Synthroid and Levoyl are synthetic brands of T-4.

The body needs T-3 for it's metabolic functions.

The thyroid gland produces T-4, which the body converts into T-3.

Those with impaired or suppressed thyroid gland function, take synthetic
T-4 like synthroid or levoyl which the body converts as needed into T-3.

A minority of thyroid patients get T-3 by taking synthetic T-3, Cytomel.

In general, Endocrinologists believe those with thyroid disorder fare
better when rx'd T-4.

If you have thyroid disease and are on an adequate dose of T-4 and are
experiencing mood swings--it may be because your body is deficient in
Selenium, or copper, zinc, vitamin B-complex or vitamin E.

Selenium deficiency is looked at first because it has been implicated as a
culprit in BOTH autoimmune thyroid disease and depression.

If the posts to ASD-med are any indication, for some reason psychiatric
patients taking psychotropic drugs which suppress thyroid function have
their meds augmented with T-3 or cytomel at seemingly higher rates then
those with natural thyroid disease are prescribed T-3.

I can't tell you how high a %---but -it's a much higher percentage than
those with thyroid disease alone.

Here is a link to a discussion of studies related to the discussion of T-4
vs. T-3 for treatment of thyroid disease, or augmentation where psych meds
suppress thyroid function.

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/studies.htm

no name

You have it A-backwards, Jo.

Cytomel is synthetic T-3.

Synthroid and Levoyl are synthetic brands of T-4.

The body needs T-3 for it's metabolic functions.

The thyroid gland produces T-4, which the body converts into T-3.

Those with impaired or suppressed thyroid gland function, take synthetic
T-4 like synthroid or levoyl which the body converts as needed into T-3.

A minority of thyroid patients get T-3 by taking synthetic T-3, Cytomel.

In general, Endocrinologists believe those with thyroid disorder fare
better when rx'd T-4.

If you have thyroid disease and are on an adequate dose of T-4 and are
experiencing mood swings--it may be because your body is deficient in
Selenium, or copper, zinc, vitamin B-complex or vitamin E.

Selenium deficiency is looked at first because it has been implicated as a
culprit in BOTH autoimmune thyroid disease and depression.

If the posts to ASD-med are any indication, for some reason psychiatric
patients taking psychotropic drugs which suppress thyroid function have
their meds augmented with T-3 or cytomel at seemingly higher rates then
those with natural thyroid disease are prescribed T-3.

I can't tell you how high a %---but -it's a much higher percentage than
those with thyroid disease alone.

Here is a link to a discussion of studies related to the discussion of T-4
vs. T-3 for treatment of thyroid disease, or augmentation where psych meds
suppress thyroid function.

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/studies.htm

jo cohen

Thanks for the info! The person that told me about Cytomel is also diabetic
and has depression and anxiety - his endo recommended it instead of
Synthroid. Will pass this along, thanks! Jo

sandy l

As others have said, the gland makes primarily T4, tetraiodothyronine,
which gets coverted to T3, triiodothyronine by an enzyme elsewhere in
the body. T3 is four to eight times as active as T4. Most
endocrinologists do, as others said, prescribe T4. A lot of GPs and
rheumatologists use Armour thyroid, which once was dessicated beef
thyroid and was once the only replacement available. I think it is now
a mixture of synthetic or purified T3 and T4. It is possible that a
subset of people have normal T4 and low peripheral enzymes, so are
functionally hypothyroid despite normal blood levels of T4.
Endocrinologists often measure free T4, free T3, and almost always
measure thyroid stimulatig hormone (TSH). TSH is the pituitary hormone
that drives thyroid activity. The usual assumption is that if the
pituitary is happy (that is, if TSH levels are normal) all is well no
matter what the T4 level and if TSH is abnormal, there is a problem
somewhere, no matter what the T4 level.

jo cohen

thanks!

JOJO