Liothyronine/Cytomel dosage, timing, side effects

[bessygo]

I have finally gotten my 5 mcg Cytomel (generic version) to add to my .75 mcg Synthroid in the hope of aiding insomnia, reset circadian rhythm, hair loss, mood swings, etc. My lastest labs on .75 mcg Synthroid:

Total TSH - 2.29 (.40 - 4.50)

Free T4 - 1.3 (.8 - 1.8)

Free T3 - 2.5 (2.3 - 4.2)Low T3

Total T3 - 102 (76 - 181)

After reading side effects I am daunted. I was told to take the Liothyronine at the same time as my Synthroid which I take between 2am-4am. I am taking 1/2 a dose: 2.5 mcg because my Endo doesn't want to make my anxiety/insomnia worse. I will get my labs retested in weeks, since I heard that Cytomel takes effect more quickly than Synthroid. Any feedback on when best to take my Lixthyronine and what to look out for: blood sugar? vision changes? (bad for me since I have Glaucoma), anxiety?

[greygoose]

Where did you read these side-effects? Hormones only have 'side-effects' - or should that be symptoms - if you take too much of them. You probably won't feel anything at all - good or bad - on 2.5 mcg, which is a rediculously small dose.

As for making your anxiety worse, that's probably not going to happen because anxiety is a hypo symptom. T3 is more likely to make it better.

According to your lab on 75 mcg Synthroid, you were very under-medicated - as I said in your post four days ago.

Starting your T3 at the same time as your Synthroid is good, because it should always be taken on an empty stomach, just like Synthroid.

I wouldn't look out for anything, if I were you. If you look for problems you're more likely to find them. But, you're not really likely to get them on such a low dose.

[Barrett582]

I have been taking 50mcg Levothyroxine and 15mcg of liothyronine for about 8 years. When I started the T3 my Endo said here is the prescription, you have to figure out how to take it for yourself. I started with 10 mcg daily.I took it in two 5mcg doses (6:00am and 2:00pm). After 2 months and testing, I went to 12.5mcg, then 15mcg, then 17.5mcg, back to 15mcg. I tried taking it in two doses ( 6:00 and 3:00). At 7.5mcg dose, I felt very over medicated for about 30 minutes. I finally settled on 5mcg at 6:00am, 5mcg at 10:00am, and 5mcg at 1:00pm. I take my Levothyroxine at night as I go to bed. I don’t take my T3 on an empty stomach as my stomach cramps when I do. I have had only wonderful side effects from the T3. You really have to figure out for yourself what works for you. I looked online and tried everything that I read in the beginning of my T3 journey. I really did have to figure it out for myself. You must keep trying and don’t get in a hurry. It took me about a year to get to my unique place with T3. All of this being said, I also can only feel good on Mayne T3 and Italian Lipitor. I can’t take Sigma pharm or Cytomel. If you feel over medicated, try a different manufacturer. Good luck, it is worth the work. Go slowly.

[cindyrae26]

Hi Bessygo,

I have been on Cytomel for many many years. I take Cytomel, the brand and have never taken a generic just because once you start one I have been told that the generics aren’t necessarily equivalent which seems to be somewhat unique to thyroid medication. I love Cytomel and have never had any negative side effects. I was once taking 37 1/2 mg but when my doctor retired it was really hard finding another Endo. Who would prescribe it for me. Finally I did find someone but he wasn’t happy about it so he compromised and I am now on 75 mg. Synthrioid ( generic) and 10 mg. of Cytomel. I take everything together and like I said there are no I’ll effects from it.