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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by atypical on February 4, 2010, at 23:37:18
Has anyone taken thyroid medication, specifically T3 (Cytomel) as an adjunct to any other medication for depression, AND had consistently normal thyroid results on blood tests BEFORE even taking the T3?
One of my pdocs "didn't like to mess with hormones" probably because mine were normal. My latest pdoc's supervisor had suggested T3/Cytomel.
Atypical
Posted by delna on February 5, 2010, at 12:27:00
In reply to Thyroid / T3 / Cytomel, posted by atypical on February 4, 2010, at 23:37:18
> Has anyone taken thyroid medication, specifically T3 (Cytomel) as an adjunct to any other medication for depression, AND had consistently normal thyroid results on blood tests BEFORE even taking the T3?
>
> One of my pdocs "didn't like to mess with hormones" probably because mine were normal. My latest pdoc's supervisor had suggested T3/Cytomel.
>
> Atypical
Yes, I have been on T3 for a month now at 25mcg. My levels have always been normal. However my pdoc said to try it anyway since nothing was helping my depression (especially the crippling fatigue).I found no improvement in mood at all. I'm not sure about energy levels, either.
Infact I had bad side effects like shaking/tremors and absolute intolerance to heat/profuse sweating. This is apparently a sign that you are increasing your T3 levels too much. I am currently lowering the dose in order to withdraw.
Ideally one should not fiddle with hormone levels as you can cause a serious imbalance if you do. I am a little scared of what will happen when i am off the T3- will I have a withdrawal reaction?Having said that I don't regret trying it because now I am quite convinced that supplementing thyroid hormones is not helping so my thyroid is not causing my problems.
But, for some people T3 can make a world of difference so it may well be worth a shot.
Incidentally I am on prozac, lamictal, ritalin, provigil and bupropion. I added T3 to that combination.
TC
D
Posted by atypical on February 5, 2010, at 14:20:55
In reply to Re: Thyroid / T3 / Cytomel » atypical, posted by delna on February 5, 2010, at 12:27:00
Thanks for your reply, Delna. I assume that's why my old pdoc said "I don't like to mess with hormones." I may give it a shot though, just to see what happens. Before that, though I'd rather try another med. I'm on Nardil and Lithium. The dysthymia is slowly eating me up.
> > Has anyone taken thyroid medication, specifically T3 (Cytomel) as an adjunct to any other medication for depression, AND had consistently normal thyroid results on blood tests BEFORE even taking the T3?
> >
> > One of my pdocs "didn't like to mess with hormones" probably because mine were normal. My latest pdoc's supervisor had suggested T3/Cytomel.
> >
> > Atypical
>
>
> Yes, I have been on T3 for a month now at 25mcg. My levels have always been normal. However my pdoc said to try it anyway since nothing was helping my depression (especially the crippling fatigue).
>
> I found no improvement in mood at all. I'm not sure about energy levels, either.
> Infact I had bad side effects like shaking/tremors and absolute intolerance to heat/profuse sweating. This is apparently a sign that you are increasing your T3 levels too much. I am currently lowering the dose in order to withdraw.
>
> Ideally one should not fiddle with hormone levels as you can cause a serious imbalance if you do. I am a little scared of what will happen when i am off the T3- will I have a withdrawal reaction?
>
> Having said that I don't regret trying it because now I am quite convinced that supplementing thyroid hormones is not helping so my thyroid is not causing my problems.
>
> But, for some people T3 can make a world of difference so it may well be worth a shot.
>
> Incidentally I am on prozac, lamictal, ritalin, provigil and bupropion. I added T3 to that combination.
>
> TC
> D
Posted by emmanuel98 on February 6, 2010, at 19:44:23
In reply to Re: Thyroid / T3 / Cytomel, posted by atypical on February 5, 2010, at 14:20:55
I took cytomel for four months to see if it helped counteract weight gain from abilify -- which completely took away my depression, but made me gain 2-3 pounds per week. The cytomel didn't help. It did puch my T3 levels too high, though I had no side effects. My p-doc was very reluctant to prescribe cytomel because it can cause high blood pressure. He also said he didn't like messing with people's hormones but I said the abilify was already messing with my endocrine system, so it was worth a shot.
Posted by softheprairie on February 7, 2010, at 6:06:13
In reply to Thyroid / T3 / Cytomel, posted by atypical on February 4, 2010, at 23:37:18
I love my Cytomel, even with risks and side effects, I love it. It really helps my mood. I am currently on 50 micrograms a day. I think it is underused in psychiatry.
Bonus -- it just came out in generic in the US in late 2009. I will be trying that with my next refill. I hope it's as good as the name brand.
This is the end of the thread.
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