Can You Be Allergic To Tiromel/Cytomel? - Thyroid UK

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Can You Be Allergic To Tiromel/Cytomel?

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Hi, sorry for posting a lot lately, can't seem to get things right...

I have been self medicating with T3 for a few weeks as a combo to Levo to try and help brain fog, muggy heads and weight gain (100mcg Levo 6.25mcg T3). Since going on the T3 my mugginess and lethargy seems to have increased as with headaches. I also started experiencing increasing nausea and bloating in my stomach and fluey type symptoms. Whilst on it, I haven't had gluten so it can't be that. It's a very small dose so I am reluctant to go higher. I stopped the T3 for two days and the fluey symptoms, headache and bloatiness has subsided. Am I allergic to T3? If I can't take that, can folk please remind me what's recommended to help me convert my T4 toT3 better?

Thank you!

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16 Replies

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EbonyEvans8 years ago

Which brand are you on? Some have lactose in them which I do not agree with either as well as the gluten intolerance most of us have. Saying that my T3 brand has lactose as the first ingredient but I do better on it than the four brands I tried before. The headaches are normal when introducing T3. You don't sound as if you have enough T3 in your system as yet. I take 100 mcg T4 and 25 mcg T3.

I'd suggest you post your bloods as the more experienced ladies would be able to help you better.

• in reply toEbonyEvans8 years ago

Thank you!

• in reply toEbonyEvans8 years ago

To be honest with the bloatiness, I am worried about weight gain more than anything. I've read so many stories that T3 caused them weight gain not loss in people with hypo. I know it probably sounds vain but I feel yuck when I'm over my personal weight level.

humanbean8 years ago

I think intolerance of one of the fillers in the T3 is more likely than intolerance to T3 itself. Changing to a different brand may help, but I realise that may be very difficult.

• in reply tohumanbean8 years ago

Thank you! I've heard less than favourable things for Cytomel. I have Tiromel and just read about Cynomel. I am doing it myself so need it to be as cheap as possible. Is it the fillers which suit people differently, because isn't the t3 all the same ingredient Liothyronine? I have also heard about a liquid form of t3 but I can't find anywhere I can purchase it without a prescription.

humanbean• in reply to8 years ago

Liothyronine is the same thing in every pill of T3, just like Levothyroxine is the same thing in every pill of Levo/T4.

Be careful of the names Cynomel and Cytomel - they are names which have been used for several different products in several different countries. They aren't always the same product or brand. So Cynomel/Cytomel from one country might be a completely different brand to Cynomel/Cytomel from another country.

On a lot of websites where T3 is sold, the advert will say "Cytomel" or "Cynomel" but show a picture of Tiromel or some other brand. It's as if the sellers think the generic name for T3 is Cytomel or Cynomel.

I'm afraid I can't help you with ingredients in Tiromel. I have seen a post with a Google Translate version of the Patient Information Leaflet for Tiromel, complete with the ingredients, but I don't know where I saw it.

Some people have been getting T3 from Mexico recently but I don't know what name it is being sold with. I don't know which websites are selling it either.

It would be worth asking for links to T3 other than Tiromel. You may find a different product works better for you.

• in reply tohumanbean8 years ago

Thanks for your help!

fibrolinda8 years ago

Maybe try taking an antihistamines before taking the t3 and see if that makes any difference? If its the fillers maybe ?

• in reply tofibrolinda8 years ago

Thanks, it was the bloatiness and nausea which concerned me most. I thought antihistimines mess with your metabolism?

fibrolinda• in reply to8 years ago

No idea I'm afraid but was suggesting a short experiment to see if it made any difference, if it does then points to something in fillers you're reacting to. I can't take t3 it sends my blood pressure rocketing up and trying antihistamines made no difference so not the fillers . I switched back to NDT and all good.

• in reply tofibrolinda8 years ago

Thank you! I do have some Thyroid S NDT which I tried but went totally cold turkey and ended my Levo abrubtly which gave me major hypo symptoms so I reverted back to Levo only. I suppose I could just introduce a bit of Thyroid S to my Levo as it has T3 in it. Not sure how much and whether to reduce the Levo a little though. It all scares me, it's like playing with fire with my health.

EbonyEvans• in reply to8 years ago

You should maybe seek help on switching correctly. These are not meds to chop and change without support. You're risking your future health and giving false readings at your blood tests not to mention potential long term damage. Might I suggest you post your history, bloods and what was prescribed and what you took. Reading your last post made me sad and a little angry - this is a forum to help and support others in the same boat. I think you could learn a lot from some of the answers if you can't / won't / don't know how to research. Sorry for the lecture but your username names suggests you have a lot to live longer and healthier for.

Ebony

• in reply toEbonyEvans8 years ago

I have been doing nothing but reading, all over the internet and thyroid books. There is conflicting information out there and I agree that all this should be done under medical support and supervision. I, however, have to go at it for myself because I get no support from my GP practice and they just fob me off. I have tried to change practice but was refused due to postcode catchment restrictions in my area. I cannot go private due to a sudden change in our circumstances due to my husband's industry going totally belly up, and so I can't afford to keep taking private blood tests at the moment. Believe me, I would take every test under the sun if things were different. I managed to get the Free T3 test done and I posted my results previously and was advised that my T4 was on the high side of the normal range and my T3 on the low side of the normal range and therefore not converting too well. Basically I am not happy about weight gain and other unresolved hypo symptoms that are present since taking Levo alone. This is all that has been prescribed for me by the GP's in my practice. My history is being maintained for several years in the States on 100mcg Synthroid. I returned to the UK and was prescribed the same dose with Levo until I became pregnant and had to rise to 300mcg with many rising deficiences. After giving birth I was reduced over time back to 100mcg and tested for iron and sodium which was deficient but returned to normal. I lost some baby weight, with twins I became enormous, but was previously slim. Weight is now creeping up on a healthy diet, with an increase of brain fog and fatigue which I didn't have previously. On reading several articles on the benefits of T3 in addition to T4, I thought it be worth a try. On speaking with my GP, the answer was basically "Absolutely NOT, you're results are NORMAL!". So I am fumbling along. A lot of people on this forum say it's all trial and error before getting it right. I am taking everyone's responses to my questions seriously and considering each one in my own story. Everyone's body acts differently and uniquely so what works for one may not for others. I want to test for Hashi, Vit defi and even Candida, privately, however, I can't right away. Until then, I am only going on my T4, T3 and TSH level. I was a little taken a back when you said you felt angry when reading my last post. I am taking my health seriously and not doing things just willy nilly. I value my life and that is why I am desperate to try and improve things. I wish I had willing medical help but I don't. I am prone to allergic reactions so taking new things and supplements is taken with caution. I was advised by a nutritionist to swap to NDT right off the bat which was a mistake after much expense... So even so called professionals get it wrong. Sorry if I offended you, I had no intention in being flippent.

EbonyEvans• in reply to7 years ago

Hello MapleMoose,

My apologies. I don’t think I saw your reply, but your new reply alerted me. Different brands have different fillers added to the actual Liothyronine so that it’s made into a pill/ solid form. I hope the link helps:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

I’ll inbox you a reliable supplier of two other brands.

Happy New Year!

Ebony

jpar7 years ago

Just curious.... Did you stay with the T3 or cytomel? I just saw you title and I was wondering the same thing....I think I'm allergic to T3. I've tried 3x to add it to my Synthroid and I get terrible side effects.....Headaches, nausea,light sensitiviy, heart palpitations, cant eat or sleep, hot flashes. Maybe my body already converts enough T3??

• in reply tojpar7 years ago

Hi! No I switched to trialling Thyroid S instead. So far, I haven't had any side effects. I am on 2 grains now, I haven't tested my T4 and T3 yet through private testing so I don't know how optimumally medicated I am yet. I am rather disappointed because my extra bit of weight I gained on Levo is not shifting yet but I have felt othetwise OK on Thyroid S. I may try a tiny dose of T3 (Tiromel) soon to see if that helps, but last time as previously stated I got headaches and feelings of wading through thick treacle, so I am not too optimistic. My T4 was on the high side of normal but my T3 was on the low side and barely normal so that is why I tried T3 and hopefully the T3 in the NDT is enough to level it out. Apparently, T3 is supposed to be on the higher level of normal range. It's all trial and error when you have to go about it yourself I'm afraid. Maybe have a T3 test done first before trialling something else. If it's higher on the normal range then you probably don't need T3 meds. All the best!