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Is Higher Cytomel Dosage Advisable For Thyroid Problem?
Question: My endo. recently added 5mg of cytomel to my usual 112mg of synthroid because I was so tired and had a lot of brain fog. Before he did this, my numbers were TSH 2.31, FT4 0.648, and T3 76.1. I feel like I have a bit more energy right after I take the cytomel, but within an hour or so, I begin to feel very sleepy. And three hours later, I feel like I have to take a nap! Do you think that my endo. should increase the dosage of Cytomel? I weigh 145 lbs.
Brief Answer:
You should give some time the drug to do it work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
I read carefully your query and understand your concerns.
Based an your thyroid report and your symptoms I think the doctor has done the right thing prescribing you Cytomel.
Although TSH level is in normal range,FT4 and T3 are slightely under the normal range and this indicates that Synthroid 112 mg alone can't accomplish the body's needs for thyroid hormones and you have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism (low level of thyroid hormones in blood).
Since the major role of thyroid hormones is metabolism regulating,almost all the hypothyroidism symptoms are due to metabolism slowdown.
The new drug that the doctor has prescribed you (Cytomel) is a synthetic T3 hormon,and it works by increasing the metabolism rhythm.To improve hypothyroidism symptoms related to slowdown metabolism need some.
This drug doesn't have an immediate effect so he need some time to achieve a normal level of thyroid hormone in blood.
Your symptoms will improve day after day and you will see an obvious effect in a couple of weeks.
You just should give some time the treatment to do it work.One day or two isn't a sufficient time to decide if the Cytomel dosage is the right one or you need a higher dose.
I suggest to wait 1- 2 week and if your symptoms are still the same or worse, than you should consult again your endocrinologist so he can think another option(increase the Cytomel dosage or prescribe another drug) to treat properly your hypothyroidism.
He also need to control regularly the level of your thyroid hormone in your blood to see if the treatment is working properly.
Hope I was able to help.If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to help.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
You should give some time the drug to do it work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I am Dr.Rovena
I read carefully your query and understand your concerns.
Based an your thyroid report and your symptoms I think the doctor has done the right thing prescribing you Cytomel.
Although TSH level is in normal range,FT4 and T3 are slightely under the normal range and this indicates that Synthroid 112 mg alone can't accomplish the body's needs for thyroid hormones and you have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism (low level of thyroid hormones in blood).
Since the major role of thyroid hormones is metabolism regulating,almost all the hypothyroidism symptoms are due to metabolism slowdown.
The new drug that the doctor has prescribed you (Cytomel) is a synthetic T3 hormon,and it works by increasing the metabolism rhythm.To improve hypothyroidism symptoms related to slowdown metabolism need some.
This drug doesn't have an immediate effect so he need some time to achieve a normal level of thyroid hormone in blood.
Your symptoms will improve day after day and you will see an obvious effect in a couple of weeks.
You just should give some time the treatment to do it work.One day or two isn't a sufficient time to decide if the Cytomel dosage is the right one or you need a higher dose.
I suggest to wait 1- 2 week and if your symptoms are still the same or worse, than you should consult again your endocrinologist so he can think another option(increase the Cytomel dosage or prescribe another drug) to treat properly your hypothyroidism.
He also need to control regularly the level of your thyroid hormone in your blood to see if the treatment is working properly.
Hope I was able to help.If you have further questions please feel free to write me,I will be happy to help.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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