Thyroid Disease suffers

How Cytomel works in conjuction with thyroid / your body: *pulled from website*

Cytomel is not an anabolic/androgenic steroid but a thyroid hormone. As a substance it contains synthetically manufactured liothyronine sodium which resembles the natural thyroid hormone tricodide-thyronine (L-T3). The thyroid of a healthy person usually produces two hormones, the better known L-thyroxine (L-T4) and the aforementioned L-trilodine~thyronine (L-T3). Since Cytomel is the synthetic equivalent of the latter hormone, it causes the same processes in the body as if the thyroid were to produce more of the hormone. It is interesting to note that L-T3 is clearly the stronger and more effective of these two hormones. This makes Cytomel more effective than the commercially available L-T4 compounds such as L-thyroxine or Synthroid. The manufacturer of the German L-T3 compound, Hoechst AG, ascribes the following characteristics to its Thybon drug, making it clear that L-T3 is superior to L-T4: "The synthetically manufactured thyroid hormone, L-trilodine-thyronine (L-T3), included in Thybon, in experimental and clinical testing has proven to be 4-5 times more biologically active and to take effect more quickly than L-thyroxine (L-T4)." In school medicine Cytomel is used to treat thyroid insufficiency (hypothyroidism). Among other secondary symptoms are obesity, metabolic disorders, and fatigue. Bodybuilders take advantage of these charcteristics and stimulate their metabolism by taking Cytomel, which causes a faster conversion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Bodybuilders, of course, are especially interested in an increased lipolysis, which means increased fat burning. Competing bodybuilders, in particular, use Cytomel during the weeks before a championship since it helps to maintain an extremely low fat content, without necessitating a hunger diet. Athletes who use low dosages of Cytomel report that by the simultaneous intake of steroids, the steroids become more effective, most likely as the result of the faster conversion of protein.

Until recently, Cytomel was used by bodybuilders and female bodybuilders, in particular-on a daily basis over several months to remain "hard" and in good shape all year round. Believe us when we tell you that to a great extent several bodybuilders who are pictured in "muscle magazines" and display a hard and defined look in photos, eat fast food and iron this out by taking Cytomel. The over stimulated thyroid burns calories like a blast furnace. Nowadays, instead of Cytomel, athletes use Clenbuterol which is becoming more and more popular. Cytomel is also popular among female bodybuilders. Since women generally have slower metabolisms than men, it is extremely difficult for them to obtain the right form for a competition given today's standards.

As for the dosage, one should be very careful since Cytomel is a very strong and highly effective thyroid hormone. It is extremely important that one begins with a low dosage, increasing it slowly and evenly over the course of several days. Most athletes begin by taking one 25 mcg tablet per day and increasing this dosage every three to four days by one additional tablet. A dose higher than 100 mcg/ day is not necessary and not advisable. It is not recommended that the daily dose be taken all at once but broken down into three smaller individual doses so that they become more effective. It is also important that Cytomel not be taken for more than six weeks. At least two months of abstinence from the drug needs to follow. Those who take high dosages of Cytomel over a long period of time are at risk of developing a chronic thyroid insufficiency. As a consequence, the athlete might be forced to take thyroid medication for the rest of his life. It is also important that the dosage is reduced slowly and evenly by taking fewer tablets and not be ended abruptly. Those who plan to take Cytomel should first consult a physician in order to be sure that no thyroid hyper function exists...."

I took out some of the things that were promoting useage of another drug - and left all the Cytomel things.

This is why it works almost like a steriod...its how my endo described it to me when I took it for all those months and why he put me on it to get the weight off. Thats why I was asking Jackie if she was on something OTHER than just Cytomel...
 
Thanks Hennysmom,

I was taking Levothyroxine but I got to feeling so bad and hurting so bad. Let me back up and tell you I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Artheritis, Diabetes, and hypthyroid within 2 months. I have been dealing with what everyone thinks Fibro for 20 yrs but the MRI shows the RA has been going on for a while. All of the symptoms are the same almost.

Anywho, after reading about the effects of levoth on others I weaned off of it and felt so much better.

So when I went back to my internist this week, I told her about it and she changed me to Cytomel 5 mg twice a day.

I hope it helps me lose weight because I've been trying for my diabetes with no avail BUT I hurt and am so fatigued that some days I can't get out of bed.

I am so sick of being sick that I don't know what to do but cry!

jackie
 
Wow, jackiedon! It's like your entire body is in revolt against itself. All of those diseases are or could be autoimmune in nature. Did your doc check for thyroid antibodies too?

If you can get the thyroid issue under control that could help with the fibromyalgia, too. Some doctors believe that fibromyalgia is really caused by poor thyroid function.

Take care of yourself and nourish your body and hopefully that will help. Meditation or quiet prayer can help, as can generally reducing your stress level. Try to eat unprocessed foods if you can : clean meats (meaning, without antibiotic or pesticide residues), clean veggies and fruits, and whole grains. Drink a lot of water and rest!
 
I have to chime in and agree about getting enough rest if you have fibro. I basically had to reorder my whole life and the way I think about rest and relaxation.

If you don't sleep well, DO something to make sure that you sleep deeply and long enough. 9 hours is minimal for Fibro sufferers!

Be very, extra careful not to overdo it. My Naturopath said there have been recent studies showing that Fibro sufferers do not use oxygen properly in the cells of their muscles. He told me to stop trying to do aerobic exercise. When I got rid of my treadmill and stopped trying so hard to exercise the way normal people do, I felt soooo much better!

I was doing things I knew would cause me to be in bed for days because I did not want my friends and family to think I was lazy. Once I stopped caring what they thought, and began to be very careful about what I would agree to do, I felt soooo much better!

I stopped some activities altogether - like digging, lifting, pushing or pulling, and was able to cut visits to the chiropractor (to put something back in place) to only 2 times per year instead of almost weekly.

People w/ Fibro often have low blood pressure. Drinking enough clean, pure water can't be emphasized enough. Think about adding Sea Salt to your diet. I drink 1/4 tsp Sea Salt in a large glass of water every morning. About a week after I started doing this, my blood pressure was closer to normal, and I feel good in ways I couldn't imagine. I no longer take a nap every day.

Antibacterial bath and dish soap can make you sicker. Triclosan and triclocarban are anti-thyroid agents (among other things), and can aggravate Fibro and 'female' issues.

...just a bit of what I've learned over the years.
smile.png
 
Chickabee, I took your advice and tried to get Armour from my doctor. She said "no way they don't even make it anymore". Can you believe it? It was so strange because I was reading on here people taking the med.

So I went to my endo and she said "sure lets try it"! I was ready for a debate with her because my doctor told me she pre-warned the endo I was coming in hoping for Armour. I printed out info from the website link you provided and learned a lot from it. I brought it in all highlighted etc...

I am now taking 45 mcg of Amour. It comes in 30mcg so I take one and a half pills a day. It is such a small pill it is hard to cut in half. This thread has taught me so much. I was the one who stopped taking the pills. People on here scared me into doing the right thing and told my doctor I stopped. This thread got the ball rolling for me and put myself in charge of my own health. I hope the Armour works. So far so good.
 
Please tell me where to start.

Chicabee19 mentioned in another thread that I should get my thyroid and adrenals checked.

I have known for years something is wrong with me. And my parents have always called my a hypochondriac. So I'm always nervous about pursuing things.

I have low body temp, low blood pressure, sensitivity to fragrances, brain fog, TMJ, and others I can't think of at the moment.

Where do I start? I want to have insurance cover as much as possible. And should get on this soon cause I hope to try to conceive my first in about 6 months.

Thanks so much.
 
wow!!! ~ I have sat up reading & referencing this whole thread till let's see... it's 4:17 in the morning right now! I just cannot BELIEVE it ~ ( chicabee, I even emailed you a half-wierd sob story, lol, then finished reading the thread...lol.. sorry ) so many many of the symptoms & problems that I have known all along are pointing to something being wrong. I have had test after test, trying to get my doc to prescribe SOMEthing for hypothyroid, afterall allmost ALL of my female relatives have it ~ & every time I have been shot down, said my levels were *only borderline*, told I was lazy, & probably not eating or exercising enough. (hello, I never , literally NEVER drink soda, I eat very healthy, almost all foods from scratch, & have tried for 7 yrs now to lose weight.)

I truly sat here in amazement ~ THANK YOU to every single person that has posted on this thread! I am going to try to find a new doc, and demand something be done. Who knows, I may get my life back after all!!

I seriously am calling around later today ( lol, 10 ish, have to sleep SOME) ;-D to set up the appointment! Again, a great big HUGE *THANK YOU*!!
~Red
 
Red and Livingzoo...

The most important thing I can recommend to you is that you see a Naturopath asap.

They have not been bought off by big-pharma the way MDs have been, and will treat your 'borderline' problem by your symptoms rather than by following out-dated TSH guidelines.

I don't know WHY MDs don't acknowledge and treat for "Thryroid-resistance" in borderline people, but it is a very real problem and can make your life hell. My sister was borderline for 10 years and finally got fed up. She's getting treatment now from a Naturopath (me, my dad, my brother and 2 sisters have thyroid disease).

I do know why MDs won't generally treat with Armour and insist on sticking to the synthetic T4-only drug -- MONEY

There are thousands of sufferers all over the world who self-treat because they can't find a Naturopath where they live.

I recommend that you educate yourself at the Stop the Madness website: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/talk-to-others/

The
Yahoo support group is where you can learn all about self-treating and where to find the meds for doing that:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormones/

I hope this helps you guys!
 
Went to a different type of doctor today & got blood drawn for the test ~ this doc actually makes house calls still! And, although he won't accept insurance, his rates are so extremely reasonable ~ he only charges what the labs cost him ~ as a result, it only cost me $63, that includes the labs! What an awesome doc!

Thanks again ladies, I will get my results back sometime early next week!
~Red
 

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