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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation? Have any of you tried it? Did it work?
Posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2009, at 0:22:02
In reply to T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
Peanut tried T3 for my thyroid and it gave me coffee jitters so didn't continue it. I'm more anxious than depressed. You considering trying it? Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 30, 2009, at 14:09:24
In reply to Re: T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation » inanimate peanut, posted by Phillipa on December 30, 2009, at 0:22:02
Yeah, I want to try this. I'm going to do some research on it today so maybe I can be of help to anyone who comes along and searches for it later. I have an appt. with my endocrinologist Jan. 6, so I hope he goes for it!
Posted by floatingbridge on December 30, 2009, at 22:53:38
In reply to really--no one else knows/has tried it???, posted by inanimate peanut on December 30, 2009, at 14:09:24
> Yeah, I want to try this. I'm going to do some research on it today so maybe I can be of help to anyone who comes along and searches for it later. I have an appt. with my endocrinologist Jan. 6, so I hope he goes for it!
Peanut, I was on t3 with a little lexapro and a little Xanax, and after three months I spun out. However, this was not a real augmentation--. I'm interested to see how it goes for you--good luck!
fb
Posted by SLS on December 31, 2009, at 1:45:58
In reply to T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
> T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation? Have any of you tried it?
Yes. It was used in combination with imipramine.
> Did it work?
No. As a matter of fact, it made me much worse. We even rechallenged me with it just to be sure. However, the addition of T4 (thyroxine) to Parnate helped somewhat.
- Scott
Posted by softheprairie on December 31, 2009, at 5:52:45
In reply to T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
> T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation? Have any of you tried it? Did it work?
Yes. I take it as an adjunct for depression and love it. The brand name I take is Cytomel. I understand it just recently became available as a generic in the US. So far my pharmacy has only refilled it for me in the brand name version, which is sort of odd. My doctor signs his name on the line that says generic may be used. I hope the generic is just as good, if I end up receiving that.
I take the 25 mcg pill, most of the time my dose has been two of those a day (50 mcg total), taken upon waking up for the day. This 50 is a really high dose. Most probably take 25 mcg or even lower a day. When I was doing pretty well mood-wise maybe a year ago, I tried going to generic Synthroid to see if I could maintain the good feel at a lower co-pay, I really wanted the T4 to work, and gave it another fair chance (had tried it previously, too), but it didn't, and I went back to the T3 and was better again.
My previous TSH readings have always been "in range" (tho I may disagree with what the optimal range should be, I won't get into that now).
I should put in a warning that, I mostly attribute my increased anxiety, heart palpitations, and heartrate over 100 beats per minute as being from my desipramine, the Cytomel probably contributes as well. It is definitely stimulating. I take the beta blocker nebivolol/Bystolic to counter those effects, and have found it effective.I also do worry about the long-term side effects of being on so much T3 -- that I may make my own thyroid lazy and cause it to stop doing its job, or the pill may cause bone density loss. For now, I have made the decision that the benefits outweigh the risks, to me.
I should also say that I think it is especially suited to me since my depression presents heavily with overall fatigue/lack of energy, and I am morbidly obese. I still have those (fatigue and morbid obesity), but my mood is so improved.As a little side tidbit, T3 was used as an adjunct in the 3rd level tried in the big, govt.-sponsored study on depression meds, STAR*D, that spawned many articles.
Posted by inanimate peanut on December 31, 2009, at 16:39:40
In reply to T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 29, 2009, at 21:20:15
Yeah, I did quite a bit of research on it yesterday. I actually have hypothyroidism and am treated with T4, so my situation is a little different. I was reading about the studies where they used T3 in depression and bipolar, and they were giving people doses of 50-100mcg per day. So, endocrinologists said 'ok, let's see if we switch some patients from just T4 to a combo of T3 and T4 if their depression will improve" and it didn't in any of the studies. So, it may not be a good option for me. BUT, this difference was the the endocrinologists were putting people on 12.5 mcg of T3 while the depression studies were putting people on 50-100mcg of T3. I really wonder if my doc would give me 50-100mcg of T3 if that would help. But, I would bet you anything that I can't convince him to give me more than the 12.5mcg to treat my hypothyroidism. I'm going to show him the articles on the bipolar and depression studies and ask, but I can already tell you the answer is no.
But, the studies where they were taking normal people (not hypothyroid) and giving them 50-100mcg were pretty good, so that would be an option for some people reading this. If you want some articles on the research, babble me because I saved a bunch in a word doc.
Posted by softheprairie on January 1, 2010, at 18:33:40
In reply to Re: T3 (triiodothyronine) augmentation, posted by inanimate peanut on December 31, 2009, at 16:39:40
If the endo says no to the T3 or only lets you try 12.5 mcg, I would try to get it from pdoc. If the endo only lets you try an inadequate dose, I wouldn't have that Rx filled, because then pdoc would want to stay out of it, and leave that between you and endo. So I would try to get effective dose from pdoc from the beginning.
This is the end of the thread.
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