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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Krazy Kat on March 4, 2002, at 20:02:49
Pdoc just prescribed Cytomel for possible hypothyroidism, even though my tests came back "O.K.". I realize this is a controversial subject, but I have felt better than ever the last 4 days (started it about a week ago).
This has been a thread before and was hoping some folks could offer their opinions again or anew on this subject.
I take Neurontin, Prozac and now Cytomel. I've been diagnosed BPII, but my pdoc really thinks I'm "Mood Disorder NOS". :)
Thanks.
- KK
Posted by Bob on March 4, 2002, at 22:31:38
In reply to thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication, posted by Krazy Kat on March 4, 2002, at 20:02:49
I tried T3 almost two years ago. For a week or two I felt "cured" -- it was unbelievable. Then, for me, it started to fade, and eventually bogged down to where it didn't seem to be helping anymore, and was producing hyperthyroid type symptoms. I had to quit it. I hope that the effect lasts for you.
Bob
Posted by Lorraine on March 4, 2002, at 23:31:21
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication » Krazy Kat, posted by Bob on March 4, 2002, at 22:31:38
Cytomel did not help me because it made me too aggitated. Some say combo of T3 and T4 is the ticket. I will say you can't lose by trying it. Just watch your heart rate--if it speeds up too much or you get palpitations, then you should back off your T3 accelerator a bit. Other people say take your temp. (maybe you did this initially?) and if it goes beyond (98.6?) then ease off the throttle.
Good luck.
Lorraine
Posted by Ritch on March 4, 2002, at 23:50:04
In reply to thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication, posted by Krazy Kat on March 4, 2002, at 20:02:49
> Pdoc just prescribed Cytomel for possible hypothyroidism, even though my tests came back "O.K.". I realize this is a controversial subject, but I have felt better than ever the last 4 days (started it about a week ago).
>
> This has been a thread before and was hoping some folks could offer their opinions again or anew on this subject.
>
> I take Neurontin, Prozac and now Cytomel. I've been diagnosed BPII, but my pdoc really thinks I'm "Mood Disorder NOS". :)
>
> Thanks.
>
> - KKHi KK,
Glad to hear that something is working for you. "Mood Disorder NOS" is another name for "Atypical Bipolar" and that has been one of my labels. I had a thyroid tumor 2 years ago (the same age my Mom had hers), and now I have half a thyroid. T4 or T3+T4 addition is something I have brought up with my pdoc several times. I am a rapid-cycler and I am not that worried about it. Hey, I am already a guinea pig anyways-why not try this? Paranoia. Wow, I would be tickled to just take my current Neurontin+Klonopin+lowdose Celexa and a dab of T3+T4 if I felt fine 10 out of 12 months of the year.
Mitch
Posted by Krazy Kat on March 5, 2002, at 8:01:20
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication » Krazy Kat, posted by Ritch on March 4, 2002, at 23:50:04
Thanks, Mitch, your posts are always so helpful. Atypical Bipolar - well, that sounds like a perfect description for me.
You had said that your depressions were seasonal, I believe. My sister and I have noticed that we have three major depressions annually - one in spring, one in the summer and one in the fall. Not usually in the winter, though. Interesting.
Thanks again. I agree that trying a thyroid med can't hurt - it falls in Category A so it's supposedly very safe.
- KK
Posted by Krazy Kat on March 5, 2002, at 8:04:22
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication » Krazy Kat, posted by Bob on March 4, 2002, at 22:31:38
Thanks Bob. I also very suddenly feel "cured" which makes me wary. I will hope that it continues since nothing has worked this well yet, that I can recall.
- KK
Posted by Krazy Kat on March 5, 2002, at 8:05:31
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication, posted by Lorraine on March 4, 2002, at 23:31:21
Thanks Lorraine. I did feel a little like my heart was racing last night but it stopped. I will drop the dose if it continues.
- KK
Posted by noa on March 5, 2002, at 18:00:22
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication » Lorraine, posted by Krazy Kat on March 5, 2002, at 8:05:31
My experience was more gradual---after about 4-5 days, I started to feel a tiny bit better, by about 10 days it was definitely a significant improvement. Still, I needed the dose increased once in a while, and the pdoc later added synthroid as well. All the while I was diagnosed with "subclinical" hypothyroidism, and even then, my internist was not totally convinced but thankfully, took the pdoc's lead.
Eventually, I saw an endocrinologist who confirmed the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism and increased my cytomel and synthroid doses gradually using how I felt as the guideline--increase until I saw no additional benefit. Even then, the improvement continued for a number of months after the last increase.
He also taught me something my pdoc hadn't known--the T3/Cytomel has a shorter half life and should be taken in split doses. The split doses help to alleviate some of the up and down of blood levels that can cause the heart palpitations sometimes.
But if you can do it, it is a good idea to see a good endocrinologist to help you figure out what is going on.
Lots of good info in the thyroid and depression folder at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links/Noa_s_thyroid_links_000963272558/
Good luck.
Posted by Krazy Kat on March 6, 2002, at 7:24:49
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication, posted by noa on March 5, 2002, at 18:00:22
Thanks a lot, Noa.
- KK
This is the end of the thread.
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