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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MrAnderson on April 17, 2012, at 17:16:56
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has taken T3/cytomel for an extended period of time (>1yr maybe?), what your dose was, and if there were any long term negative side effects.
I've been on 15 mcg for 3 years now for atypical depression (as well as some hypothyroid symptoms). When I started taking it, my doc gave me 25 mcg. I felt dramatically better right away, but after a month he lowered the dose because my TSH had gone below the normal range (it was 2.51 before I started T3) and it wasn't quite as effective. I have an appt to see an endo in a couple weeks to discuss. I've noticed that a lot of the studies use doses of 37.5 mcg, some up to 150 mcg for depression. One of the studies lasted 2 years.
I'm interested in trying to increase the dose since it helped so much when I took the higher dose initially, I'm wondering if anyone has tried taking doses above 25 mcg and if there is much harm in doing so. Thanks!
Posted by softheprairie on April 18, 2012, at 2:30:37
In reply to Long term T3 use?, posted by MrAnderson on April 17, 2012, at 17:16:56
Yes, I've been on 50 mcg/day for a few years. Part of me has contemplated going down to 25 (or maybe off it entirely), but I haven't made any changes. I do wonder if it has kept my appetite high. (Though, the conventional wisdom is that normally it may cause a little weight loss.)
My TSH labs have always been in the nornal range, I think, both before and since taking it, but I think a little on the lower end while on it.
The risks that I think go with it are that it can make one's own thyroid become lazy, and may contribute to bone loss/osteoporosis.
My pdoc isn't a big fan of it, but has been willing to let me have it. So, it is up to me to decide on it for myself.
This is the end of the thread.
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