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Is Cytomel Advisable For Thyroid Problem?

Posted on Mon, 14 Apr 2014

Question: I have been on .88mcg of Levothyroxine for several years now. All TSH, T3, and T4 labs have come back normal. I still feel tired all of the time and have a hard time loosing weight. Would you recommend replacing it with Cytomel or change to Armour?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Cytomel and Armor thyroid are not recommended by thyroid experts and by the latest guidelines from the American Thyroid Association. Levo thyroxine alone suffices. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms though. May I know your TSH and other values. Perhaps I may guide you with a dose adjustment. Cytomel can be harmful and even armor is deemed so

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 minutes later)

My last TSH was 3.800, T4 was 7.4, and T3 was 91 T3 Uptake was 31 and Free Thyroxine Index was 2.3

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Follow up Detailed Answer: You may wish to consider increasing your dose to 100 mcg after consulting your doctor. When I see someone like you, I increase the thyroxine dose till the TSH is between 0.4 to 2.4 with free T4 at the higher end of the normal range. However, there are a few situations where I do not do this such as : 1 Chest pains from heart disease 2 Irregular heart rhythm problems 3 Severe Osteoporosis Any time dose is changed it is important to check the TSH and free T4 after 6 weeks to ensure the dose changes are appropriate

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar