Cytomel side effects.

[Daisybellerose]

Just started taking 12.5ug cytomel with my T4 medication (as 2 x half doses) but have had a muzzy head and a feeling of pressure behind my eyes. I’ve checked my blood pressure and it’s fine so was just wondering if anyone else had experienced similar? Does it pass off once you’ve got used to the meds???? I’m worried I’m going to have to stop it before I’ve had chance to feel the benefits ☹️Thanks

[Daisybellerose]

(I’ve been on it for 6 days now)

[mstp]

Hi Daisybellerose

With Cytomel (T3) you have to work out what the correct dosage is for you by very gradually increasing the dose until you feel ok. Often people then carry on increasing it and have to slowly back track to come back to the dosage that they felt best on. I was increasing it by 1/4 of a tablet at one point. Good luck with it.

[Daisybellerose in reply to mstp]

I thought it was a big dose to start on. I’ll see how it goes for another week then maybe reduce to one half dose for a while. Thank you

[Greekchick in reply to Daisybellerose]

Hi Daisy,

I did the same as mstp - I started at 1.25 mcg at a time and worked my way up to 10 mcg over a 2 month period. When I started at 2.5 I felt ill, but now each dose increase makes me feel amazingly better. I still need more T3 and likely will end up at about 20 mcg, but I always take each dose up by 1.25 mcg and that has been the charm. I think all thyroid replacement needs to go up slowly. I had a very nasty reaction to an initially large dose of T4 after my TT - and am on what many would consider a small dose, but it seems to be the right thing for me to do.

Only by trial and error will you know what how much to take. I have lost count of how many times my dosing has changed, but at least I am on the right road now and don't have to start from scratch.

Wishing you the best of luck figuring things out and sending good thoughts your way today.

[Daisybellerose in reply to Greekchick]

Thank you. I will definitely give this a try if it doesn’t settle down soon. I think the doctor only had 25mcg tablets which is probably why he started me on 12.5mcg -he told me to take it as a single dose but I was too frightened to so split it in half. I might have to source some 5mcg tablets myself and start again if it doesn’t improve.

Thanks for taking the time to reply x

[Coachgeorge in reply to Daisybellerose]

I’m trying to figure out the T3 dosing, too. I have been on 5mcg since July 12th. Tried 7.25 in the mornings but it seemed like too much and I had severe symptoms in the afternoon. Today was my first day splitting the dose, 5mcg in the morning and 2.25 in the afternoon. I think it’s helping but I’m not sure my T4 dose is high enough. I’m a newbie and what I’ve learned it’s all trial and error. Would definitely recommend going slow, very slow. Good luck!!

[Daisybellerose in reply to Coachgeorge]

I have no idea if my dose is anywhere near right at the moment so just fumbling along until I get some bloods done in a couple of weeks. My doctor didn’t lower my thyroxine (even though it was high end) and just randomly threw in 12.5mcg t3 on top. Surely this would lead to over medication!? Everyone else on here seems to have lowered Thyroxine then added tiny amounts of T3 to start. Just feel like he doesn’t really know what he’s doing. I’ve lowered my dose of T4 by 25mcg as a starting point and splitting the 12.5mcg T3. Wish we didn’t have to wait so long in between blood tests. I just want to feel half normal again ☹️ Hope you get your dose figured out quickly and can start feeling better x

[Coachgeorge in reply to Daisybellerose]

The waiting is grueling but necessary. My doctor did lower my levo when she started the T3. I’ve got another two weeks on this dosage. When I posted my question about scheduling, I was hoping someone would just tell me a little more levo would solve my problems. Wishful thinking, lol. It’s tough but we’ll get there!

[LAHs]

Take your blood pressure! Regardless of how you feel at the moment make sure the T3 isn't sending your blood pressure up. After you have determined that then take all of the good advice given above. If your headaches are as a result of elevated blood pressure then you have a serious condition (possibly close to a stroke) and you should reduce your dose until you feel well, or start all over again on a very low dose and increasing it very slowly measuring your blood pressure as you go.

[Greekchick in reply to LAHs]

Hi LAHs,

Excellent advice! I take mine everyday since I started on T3 and also monitor pulse rate too. In my opinion anyone on T3 should take their BP regularly until they are stabilized on a dose even if you have not had high BP before.

[Daisybellerose in reply to LAHs]

Hi

Thanks, yes that was my first worry but my blood pressure was fine when I checked.

I will keep monitoring it though. Again doctor never mentioned monitoring anything -think he just thinks I’ll walk into his surgery in a month feeling all perky after taking my magic pills. I wish it was that easy!