Posted by softheprairie on December 31, 2009, at 5:52:45
In reply to T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
> T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation? Have any of you tried it? Did it work?
Yes. I take it as an adjunct for depression and love it. The brand name I take is Cytomel. I understand it just recently became available as a generic in the US. So far my pharmacy has only refilled it for me in the brand name version, which is sort of odd. My doctor signs his name on the line that says generic may be used. I hope the generic is just as good, if I end up receiving that.
I take the 25 mcg pill, most of the time my dose has been two of those a day (50 mcg total), taken upon waking up for the day. This 50 is a really high dose. Most probably take 25 mcg or even lower a day. When I was doing pretty well mood-wise maybe a year ago, I tried going to generic Synthroid to see if I could maintain the good feel at a lower co-pay, I really wanted the T4 to work, and gave it another fair chance (had tried it previously, too), but it didn't, and I went back to the T3 and was better again.
My previous TSH readings have always been "in range" (tho I may disagree with what the optimal range should be, I won't get into that now).
I should put in a warning that, I mostly attribute my increased anxiety, heart palpitations, and heartrate over 100 beats per minute as being from my desipramine, the Cytomel probably contributes as well. It is definitely stimulating. I take the beta blocker nebivolol/Bystolic to counter those effects, and have found it effective.I also do worry about the long-term side effects of being on so much T3 -- that I may make my own thyroid lazy and cause it to stop doing its job, or the pill may cause bone density loss. For now, I have made the decision that the benefits outweigh the risks, to me.
I should also say that I think it is especially suited to me since my depression presents heavily with overall fatigue/lack of energy, and I am morbidly obese. I still have those (fatigue and morbid obesity), but my mood is so improved.As a little side tidbit, T3 was used as an adjunct in the 3rd level tried in the big, govt.-sponsored study on depression meds, STAR*D, that spawned many articles.
poster:softheprairie
thread:931507
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091227/msgs/931746.html