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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 13:33:13
I'm sure someone here will know the answer to this. If you take thyroid blood level tests 6 hours after taking your morning cytomel (37.5 in my case), what difference would you expect on the levels compared to having the blood levels checked in the morning after fasting and no cytomel that morning? I have been taking the T3 as an add-on to Wellbutrin for 7 years. I'm confused as to how you know when there is really a problem with too much. Thank you.
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 14:43:37
In reply to Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 13:33:13
"Posted by Maxime on April 1, 2006, at 21:41:14
Your T3 level and your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating hormone). You are not to take the Cytomel the day of the blood test."This was in response to ME about a year ago (I had forgotten about this post). What's happening is this: my brand-new primary (an internist) took my thyroid levels in a blood test about 7 hours after taking my morning cytomel. Based on the test results, he wants me to drop the cytomel completely. I called my psydoc and he said that's too drastic and that I should drop the cytomel to 12.5 and get retested in 3 weeks. What I'm concerned about is the fact that I had taken the cytomel the day of the test(not knowing what the doctor was going to order). Because my previous tests were after fasting and no cytomel, I'm totally confused about this.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 15:09:31
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 14:43:37
Oh as my endo explained it to me cytomel is short acting and goes to the muscles for about 8 hours. Did you ask about your cytomel first? And it is in the feedback thyroid loop affects T3. Love Phillipa funny I am posting a thyroid thread on on psych problems and thyroid disease.
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 15:12:57
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 15:09:31
Phillipa, I didn't mention that I had taken the cytomel before I went to the lab. I'm not sure I understand exactly what you said about the timing.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2007, at 15:17:03
In reply to Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 13:33:13
> I'm sure someone here will know the answer to this. If you take thyroid blood level tests 6 hours after taking your morning cytomel (37.5 in my case), what difference would you expect on the levels compared to having the blood levels checked in the morning after fasting and no cytomel that morning? I have been taking the T3 as an add-on to Wellbutrin for 7 years. I'm confused as to how you know when there is really a problem with too much. Thank you.
The answer isn't hard and fast. It's generally the rule that a T3 (total) sampling is taken greater than 24 hours after the last dose of Cytomel. If nothing else, it should be done that way if your prior bloodwork was done that way. Whether you might have a problem with excess T3 would be more than having high blood levels, IMHO. You'd have some symptoms of hyperthyroidism. See: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hyper1.html
If you've been taking it for 7 years, it would be surprising to find that you're only now hyperthyroid.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2007, at 15:19:49
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 14:43:37
> "Posted by Maxime on April 1, 2006, at 21:41:14
> Your T3 level and your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating hormone). You are not to take the Cytomel the day of the blood test."
>
> This was in response to ME about a year ago (I had forgotten about this post). What's happening is this: my brand-new primary (an internist) took my thyroid levels in a blood test about 7 hours after taking my morning cytomel. Based on the test results, he wants me to drop the cytomel completely. I called my psydoc and he said that's too drastic and that I should drop the cytomel to 12.5 and get retested in 3 weeks. What I'm concerned about is the fact that I had taken the cytomel the day of the test(not knowing what the doctor was going to order). Because my previous tests were after fasting and no cytomel, I'm totally confused about this.I hate it when doctors themselves disagree. I just went through that, and one of my doctors is now all pissy with me, because I sided with the one who wanted to be thorough.
Maybe your pdoc could order a repeat blood test, right away, but following the proper protocol? I mean, instead of changing dose, and waiting three weeks.
Lar
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 15:35:55
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests » Forte562, posted by Larry Hoover on April 20, 2007, at 15:19:49
I have another call into my psydoc right now and if he orders it, I would like to see what level it is in the morning before the cytomel. But I need to give more details. For 7 years I was at 25mcg, about two weeks ago, he raised it to 37.5 because I have been unusually cold all the time. Now because of the test, the internist wants me to drop the cytomel completely and the psydoc had said 12.5 for three weeks until a retest. Unfortunately, I'm getting more confused than ever.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 19:09:33
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 15:35:55
The thyroid is very confusing. You never said if you were diagnosed hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. I see no synthroid or lexothroxin? Love Phillipa
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 19:47:39
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests » Forte562, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 19:09:33
I am on t3 (cytomel) only as a booster for wellbutrin. My test Tuesday after having taken the cytomel, I guess looks like hyper... but the internist said I had no symptoms of hyper... when he examined me. I'm trying to get an order for a blood test in the am before taking the cytomel, but I'm not sure what that means for my body if my TSH is low 7 hours after taking active t3. My psydoc admitted today he thought I was only on 25 mcg when cutting it in half. I was on 25 mcg for seven years and the blood tests were always satisfactory, at least for my psydoc.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 19:54:24
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests, posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 19:47:39
Not sure that it would affect the TSH. All I know is that for daytime energy someone said try cytomel. The endo said it goes to the muscles and wears off in about 8 hours. Did you read the thread Lar provided? Also there are thyroid chat rooms . Maybe post the question there? I know my husband went to one when my hypo became hyper is normal now. No I didn't do the cytomel as told it was too activating for someone with my high level of anxiety. Wish I could be more help. Love Phillipa
Posted by Forte562 on April 20, 2007, at 20:02:17
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests » Forte562, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 19:54:24
I don't have any hyperthyroid symptoms and neither doctor gave me the exact results of the blood test, just the option of no cytomel at all & test in 6 weeks (internist), 12.5 and test in 3 weeks (psydoc). Now I'm waiting to hear if a blood test before I take the cytomel would mean anything different.
Posted by Forte562 on April 21, 2007, at 10:33:46
In reply to Re: Cytomel and timing of thyroid blood tests » Forte562, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 19:54:24
an update - I had a blood draw this morning before taking the cytomel - my pdoc ordered it. So now I'll the pdoc will have something to compare. I have no problem with cutting the dosage down on the cytomel - I just thought quitting it "cold turkey" as my new primary said to do, might be a mistake. The technician hit a nerve on the blood draw, so I'm going to report it and hope it didn't hurt anything as I am a pianist with a bunch of performances this weekend. Thanks everyone.
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