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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by loolot on October 9, 2003, at 20:57:28
I found this in an article from Pub Med:
Is this true?? SHould I go off cytomel?Thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3 [Cytomel]) appears to be a more effective augmentation agent than tetraiodothyronine (T4 [Synthroid])13 and is effective in small dosages; for example, 25 to 50 µg per day.14 T3 may be used to augment response to tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and SSRIs.5 Although fewer controlled studies have focused on thyroid hormone than on lithium, T3 augmentation of tricyclic antidepressants has been shown to be effective in approximately 50 to 60 percent of patients.1
Monitoring thyroid function before T3 administration (for a baseline reading) as well as after administration is important. Beyond the observation that T3 potentiates noradrenergic activity, its mechanism of action as an augmentation agent is not clearly understood.4 Although T3 is a relatively safe augmentation agent with few adverse effects or potential allergic reactions, it has the potential, if taken chronically, to interfere with thyroid metabolism. Therefore, its use should generally be limited to two or three weeks. Adverse effects associated with excess administration of T3 include irritability, sweating and the possibility of cardiac arrhythmias.
Posted by T_R_D on October 10, 2003, at 13:56:37
In reply to Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks????, posted by loolot on October 9, 2003, at 20:57:28
Well, I guess you can ignore my post above if you see this one first!
Maybe it was responsible after all...
Posted by timidly on October 12, 2003, at 20:37:21
In reply to Re: Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks????, posted by T_R_D on October 10, 2003, at 13:56:37
> Well, I guess you can ignore my post above if you see this one first!
>
> Maybe it was responsible after all...My pdoc had similar concerns and sent me to an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid. Dr. Barqz said that long term use of cytomel was safe. In the early days of cytomel there was concern about "the potential" of cardiac and bone demineralization problems with long term use.
The endocrinologist said there have been no reported instances of any problems associated with long term use of cytomel.
Posted by loolot on October 13, 2003, at 19:45:57
In reply to Re: Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks????, posted by timidly on October 12, 2003, at 20:37:21
My pdoc had similar concerns and sent me to an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid. Dr. Barqz said that long term use of cytomel was safe. In the early days of cytomel there was concern about "the potential" of cardiac and bone demineralization problems with long term use.
> The endocrinologist said there have been no reported instances of any problems associated with long term use of cytomel.I thought the problem was that your own thyroid would shut down after a while on the supplement, and permanent damage to the thyroid could be done? Did you endo say anything about that? I have a feeling it isnt that bad, but I wonder
Posted by timidly on October 13, 2003, at 21:05:40
In reply to Re: Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks???? » timidly, posted by loolot on October 13, 2003, at 19:45:57
> My pdoc had similar concerns and sent me to an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid. Dr. Barqz said that long term use of cytomel was safe. In the early days of cytomel there was concern about "the potential" of cardiac and bone demineralization problems with long term use.
> > The endocrinologist said there have been no reported instances of any problems associated with long term use of cytomel.
>
> I thought the problem was that your own thyroid would shut down after a while on the supplement, and permanent damage to the thyroid could be done? Did you endo say anything about that? I have a feeling it isnt that bad, but I wonderRight you are. Thanks for catching that. Yes, the endocrinologist mentioned that Cytomel would cause my thyroid to shut down, and with long term use (many years) the thyroid might eventually become non-functional.
He said controlling the depression took priority over the potential loss of thyroid function. He added that having to take thyroid medicine for the rest of your life was trivial compared to the debilitation and
risk of suicide that goes with depression. I have been taking Cytomel for three (3) years. The endocrinologist had me stop taking Cytomel for a month to evaluate the condition of my thyroid. After three (3)weeks my thyroid functions were completely normal.
Posted by T_R_D on October 14, 2003, at 15:38:02
In reply to Re: Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks????, posted by timidly on October 13, 2003, at 21:05:40
Hi Timidly...did you gain any weight after you went off the Cytomel? Did you drop it once your thyroid functioning returned? I still can't figure out where all of this excess came from!
Thanks...
TRD
Posted by timidly on October 14, 2003, at 20:55:59
In reply to Re: Cytomel not safe for more than three weeks????, posted by T_R_D on October 14, 2003, at 15:38:02
> Hi Timidly...did you gain any weight after you went off the Cytomel? Did you drop it once your thyroid functioning returned? I still can't figure out where all of this excess came from!
>
> Thanks...
> TRDI have not noticed any weight changes with the Cytomel. I did gain a lot of weight when I started the Nardil. I've kept track of my weight as my Nardil dosage changed, and the times I went off the Nardil to try other meds. Over 25 years my weight changes were consistently 3/4 pound gain per mg of Nardil. I stopped keeping track about 10 years ago. Note: Individual results may vary;-)
##---> Timidly
This is the end of the thread.
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