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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maxime on June 13, 2007, at 23:09:15
Hi
I have Hashimotos disease (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroid depending on what my body decides). I finally found an endocrinologist who was willing to let me use cytomel with synthroid (I was hoping it would help my depression). I am taking 100 mcg of synthroid and 20 mcg of Cytomel.
Anyone else use a combo? How much Cytomel do you take?
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2007, at 23:28:53
In reply to How much Cytomel, posted by maxime on June 13, 2007, at 23:09:15
Maxie there are thyroid support groups my husband went to that one and I almost used cytomel but heard it was stimulating for about 8 hours . You don't have the anxiety so probably good for you. I think they base it on your levels. Mine is hasimotos too. Google support groups they will know as Greg wanted me on cytomel as evidently it goes through the loop to your muscles hence the energy. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on June 15, 2007, at 20:28:41
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » maxime, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2007, at 23:28:53
Phillipa, what do you mean that it goes through your muscles?
My endocrinologist said it has a very short half life and that I should take it two times a day. My psychiatrist wants me to be on more Cytomel and less Synthroid because he think it might help my depression.
Maxime
> Maxie there are thyroid support groups my husband went to that one and I almost used cytomel but heard it was stimulating for about 8 hours . You don't have the anxiety so probably good for you. I think they base it on your levels. Mine is hasimotos too. Google support groups they will know as Greg wanted me on cytomel as evidently it goes through the loop to your muscles hence the energy. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2007, at 22:12:17
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on June 15, 2007, at 20:28:41
Maxie this was his Nurse Practitioneer she said something about the cytomel giving your muscles stregth or energy. Yes it's activating saw the endo yesterday he's waiting for my labs to come back as he said he may put me on it too with the synthroid but adjust it again to help with my horrible tiredness and fatigue. It will probably take about a week til I hear back. Go to a throid support group as Greg got a lot of info on cytomel on one. Love Phillipa Greg thinks it's just google in health boards .com.
Posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 1:14:09
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » maxime, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2007, at 23:28:53
You have to work with your endocrinologist or internist about this. Many people take a combination of Synthroid and Cytomel- I did, too, but changed over to just Cytomel. For me, it's 5 mcg. three times a day (it has a short active life in your body of about 3 hours).
For it to have an antidepressant effect, they like your TSH to be between 1,0 and 0.5, with the free T4 and T3 levels within normal limits. There is a risk of developing some osteoporosis on this, so you need to have DEXA scans, and also take Calcium and Vitamin D.
I feel a lift from the Cytomel, but no increased anxiety- which I seem to generate on my own!
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 19:34:29
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 1:14:09
Twinleaf I already have some osteoporosis and osteopenia despite excersing and taking CA and Mg. Think it runs in my family. I'm not going to take the boniva they want me to take At $85 a pill once a month? Love Phillipa so the nurse practioneer didn't tell the full story as she said the cytomel lasted about 8 hours. And I have had Dexa Scans hence the RX. But the way I see it our ancestors didn't have it. The least amount of chemicals in your body the better in my opinion.
Posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 21:17:01
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 19:34:29
The PDR says that Cytomel lasts a day and a half (half-life), but the people who are looking at it for it's antidepressant effects say about 3 hours of active life. A lot of people here may be taking more than they need, from what I've seen, but not taking smaller amounts often enough.
I just had an annual physical, and although I have a little bit of osteopenia, too, my internist, who seems very up-to-date and intelligent, says doctors are no longer recommending Fosamax. Actonel, Boniva- for anyone! They are finding increases in serious esophageal problems, atrial fibrillation- and they don't think it really helps the bones. Have you heard that?
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 21:48:35
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 21:17:01
Twinleaf oh wow. My instincts were right again as vioox was prescribed for me once didn't take that either. Could you babblemail me since yours is off I'm very interested in what you have to say and I respect your privacy. Love Phillipa ps so glad I didn't take it.
Posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 22:14:34
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 21:48:35
Hi Phillipa - I think your instincts were right! I've never done any babblemailing (time issues), but will talk about almost anything here. Ask away!
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 22:22:53
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 22:14:34
I guess off hand at this time the only things I'd love to know is if you think cytomel is appropriate for someone with horrific anxiety. How do you know how to dose and where did you hear of the bone drugs as I don't read the paper. And what are they telling you to do now for osteroporosis and whats the point in Dexa if the meds are no good. Love Phillipa
Posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 22:49:13
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 22:22:53
From what I've seen here, people take pretty big doses of Cytomel- 20-50 mcg. at once. Taking 5mcg. at a time doesn't increase my anxiety- which would be a big concern for me, too. I have Hashimoto's, too, but have gotten my TSH down to about 1.0. with these low doses. I think you need a good endocrinologist, or good internist (she turned out to be more interested in following me and getting the doses right than the endo did). Start very low, have your TSH, T3 and T4 checked after a month or so, and, if you need to, increase the Cytomel gradually. I've read that some doctors think that depression CAUSES the thyroid abnormalities; if that's true, we are really helping ourselves by getting that part of things properly treated.
As to the osteoporosis, I hadn't seen that written anywhere, but my internist showed me several studies, all basically saying "better not give these drugs". Millions of women take them and don''t know about this yet! She said she wanted to continue the DEXA scans, have me do a lot of weight-bearing exercise, as well as take Cal/Mag and Vitamin D.
If I develop osteoporosis, she would use an injectable such as Edronax.
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 23:04:54
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 22:49:13
I may have heard of the injectable isn't it very expensive? Medicaire would never cover that I'm sure.
I have an endo you can google Dr.Kramer mecklenburgmedicalgroup.com. Charlotte NC. Even my Phd says is personality stinks and I should be glad I'm not his wife. I wanted the other one in the practice he's a sweetie but they won't let you change once you've seen one. He's willing to give me cytomel. I just saw him this week and labs are not in yet. When I left was without script for synthroid dose as he needs the values last was 2.5 he like to see a l also. I heard from the charge nurse in the ER at the hospital near me big one with many branches she's been here 25years and hates and has seen all the endos in Charlotte she has an internist who treats her thyroid but tried to get him and he's full. Kramer is a professor at the Hospital or College too not sure which. Part of Carolinas medical. Love Phillipa I need to google that injectable. what we don't know about meds but I've always thought and experienced the opposite that thyroid causes depression as I had the rise in TSH to 22 one week after marriage but then I didn't want to get married. Boy this gets complicated. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 23:08:58
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » Phillipa, posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 22:49:13
Twinleaf I keep getting edromax as an antidepressant? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 23:12:59
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 23:08:58
Twinleaf found calcitonin or parthyroid hormone injectable being studied for osteoporosis in injectable form . Could one of these be it? Love Phillipa
Posted by twinleaf on June 22, 2007, at 23:39:32
In reply to Re: How much Cytomel » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2007, at 23:08:58
You're right about Edronax! She mentioned an injectable, which could be given a few times a year, and i thought that was what she said- obviously not. It began with an E, but I didn't hear it properly. I think all these doctors are in the process of working out what to do if someone has real osteoporosis and are fracturing bones. If you have just osteopenia, they- or at least she and her colleagues want everyone off of Fosamax, etc.
Glad to hear that you have an endo who wants a TSH of 1.0, and will use Cytomel. I think you'll feel much better on it- energized, but not any more anxious than usual- at least, that's been my experience.
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