Posted by Bill LL on February 2, 2004, at 16:33:58
In reply to Synthroid or Cytomel -what's the diff, posted by Maxime on February 2, 2004, at 9:56:11
Two years a go I could have answered your question. I do know that synthroid is T4 and cytomel is T3.
If memory serves, docs almost always give T4 since T4 eventually turns into T3 which is the active form of the hormone. I think docs give T3 if they think that a person has a problem converting T4 to T3.
Thyroid hormone is not only given to people for hypothyroidism. It is also sometimes prescribed to augment an antidepessant. When used for this purpose, the T3 form is usually given. However, some docs prefer to give a depressed patient both T3 and T4. This preparation is available in 2 forms; 1) a pill that combines T3 and T4 (such as thyrolar- I may have spelled it wrong) or 2) actual thyroid gland tissue from animals- called Armor thyroid.
If a depressed patient has a normal thyroid blood test (ie normal TSH which is less than or equal to 4) the addition of thyroid supplements will only help if the person is taking an antidepressant. It generaly will not help by itself.
poster:Bill LL
thread:308474
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040131/msgs/308604.html