Posted by fendel on October 25, 2002, at 22:13:57
In reply to Should I add SYNTHROID if T3/4 are normal???, posted by Chloe on October 22, 2002, at 21:27:46
Hi, I've mostly been lurking, but thought I would share my T3 experience, for what it's worth.
Background: I have unipolar atypical depression, although I've occasionally wondered if I might be BPII. I'm hypothyroid and I've been on Synthroid (or its clones) for a few years now, along with 400mg/day of Wellbutrin SR.
Last year I was gradually sinking into a mild depression. Ran across the NEJM article and some info at the About.com thyroid site, and asked my GP for Cytomel. (Also ran it past my pdoc, who felt it was an excellent idea.) We added 25 mcg/day, split into two doses, to my existing 150mcg Levoxyl. I felt great... until the palpitations set in. We reduced the Levoxyl to 125mcg. No palpitations now, although my pulse is a little sped up.
At this dosage, my TSH is almost undetectable, but free T3 and T4 are within the normal range. My GP says this is fine if I'm feeling good.
I cut down to 12.5mcg for a week because of minor hyperthyroid symptoms (mainly, feeling too hot most of the time). Sure enough, within a day I felt fatigued again. Within a week the depression was looming again. Bumped it back up to 25mcg and felt better again.
On the 25mcg dose, I feel fairly energetic and cheerful. I do notice a little excess energy (found myself fidgeting today at work) but otherwise I feel great. This stuff makes a huge difference for me. I am amazed that this tiny bit of thyroid hormone twice a day was enough to turn things around so dramatically.
I should add that before I began the Cytomel, my TSH was well within the normal range (1.7, if I recall). I didn't let that stop me. :)
best wishes,
fendel
poster:fendel
thread:124779
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125254.html