Posted by loolot on October 9, 2003, at 20:57:28
I found this in an article from Pub Med:
Is this true?? SHould I go off cytomel?Thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3 [Cytomel]) appears to be a more effective augmentation agent than tetraiodothyronine (T4 [Synthroid])13 and is effective in small dosages; for example, 25 to 50 µg per day.14 T3 may be used to augment response to tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs.5 Although fewer controlled studies have focused on thyroid hormone than on lithium, T3 augmentation of tricyclic antidepressants has been shown to be effective in approximately 50 to 60 percent of patients.1
Monitoring thyroid function before T3 administration (for a baseline reading) as well as after administration is important. Beyond the observation that T3 potentiates noradrenergic activity, its mechanism of action as an augmentation agent is not clearly understood.4 Although T3 is a relatively safe augmentation agent with few adverse effects or potential allergic reactions, it has the potential, if taken chronically, to interfere with thyroid metabolism. Therefore, its use should generally be limited to two or three weeks. Adverse effects associated with excess administration of T3 include irritability, sweating and the possibility of cardiac arrhythmias.
poster:loolot
thread:267537
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031004/msgs/267537.html