Question:
Anyone else taking Cytomel with your Synthyroid?

I've taken Synthyroid for over 20 years. Just got my blood work back and my T3 level was low so doctor has added cytomel to my usual dosage of Synthyroid. I am 2 years post op and down 160 pounds. I've never had the extra energy everyone always talks about and the last 3 weeks I have barely been able to get out of bed and stay awake. Doctor says I will have to repeat blood work in two weeks and monitor closely or I could become hyper instead of hypo. My TSH was 1.49 but my T3 was 189 (230-420 is normal). Also my iron was low this time (40). I have been taking my carbonyl everyday with a C. I am also on long term levoquin(place on my incision won't heal after hernia surgery). Wondered if this could be depleting my iron. Just wondered if anyone else had similar experiences. Thanks for all your help. Everyone is always so great to share. Sorry for the long post.    — cfstevens (posted on April 20, 2004)

April 20, 2004
I'm like you. I'm taking cytomel with synthroid. I have just started with the cytomel about a month ago. I also have low iron. I did have energy at one point, and I guess I have more energy than when I weighed 436 lbs. At the end of the day, I'm just exhausted. If you would like to email me personally, my email is [email protected].
   — Julie S.

April 20, 2004
Consider yourself extremely fortunate to have a doctor that checks T3! Most docs go strictly by the TSH, which looks good, in your case. It may take several weeks before the Cytomel gets to a consistant level in the normal range. Again, he needs to check T3. My TSH is usually 0.02 or less, and I am NOT hyperthyroid. My free T3 and free T4 are in the normal range.
   — koogy

April 27, 2004
I agree with the earlier post that you are VERY lucky to have a doctor who gives you the COMPLETE thyroid panel test. It's so cheap, and so easy, it's STUNNING that more doc's don't do it. I have been on synthroid with cytomel for years and the cytomel is KEY for me. I don't "convert". If you don't know what that means, I would HIGHLY recommend you check out the thyroid section on about.com. It's 2am as I'm typing this and having a bit of insomnia, so forgive me, I don't recall the moderator's name from that website, but she wrote an EXCELLENT book on the subject and I would HIGHLY recommend it. I think her name is Mary Shomon, but don't hold me to that. Best of Luck!
   — Annie F.