Hypothyroidism, taking prescribed synthroid, should I add Clytomel (T3)?

[olie124]

Hello I'm new to this forum, and training in general. I've been doing interval cardio (5X/wk), and weights (3-4X/wk) for the last few months and have always eaten very healthy- low fat, low carb (but the right carbs), and try to keep away from sugar. I am not looking into body building per-say, but I would like to get into boxing eventually. I have calf muscles and quads that many men would be jealous of lol, and I am overall quite strong; my issue is midsection and overall 'soft" appearance. I am trying to get into shape so I can really focus, but I am having a few dilemmas..

I am 23, and have always dealt with my weight. Just 2 years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which can explain a lot of my excess weight. I have been taking .075MG synthroid since. The doc said I should notice significant increase in energy, along with obvious weight loss. Obviously I don't expect weight to just fly off without doing any work, but I have been, and still very little results along with no noticed increase in energy.

In doing research, realized that synthroid only replaces T4... so, would taking Cytomel (T3) help in achieving my goals?

It is hard to find significant research regarding this, and I would clearly not put anything in my mouth without knowing exactly what it is, dangers, side-effects etc.
I also know that messing with hormones can potentially effect you for life... however, since I already take medication to stabilize my thyroid, should I consider taking clytomel... or am I just being dumb????

Thanks

 

[superqt4u2nv]

Hello I'm new to this forum, and training in general. I've been doing interval cardio (5X/wk), and weights (3-4X/wk) for the last few months and have always eaten very healthy- low fat, low carb (but the right carbs), and try to keep away from sugar. I am not looking into body building per-say, but I would like to get into boxing eventually. I have calf muscles and quads that many men would be jealous of lol, and I am overall quite strong; my issue is midsection and overall 'soft" appearance. I am trying to get into shape so I can really focus, but I am having a few dilemmas..

I am 23, and have always dealt with my weight. Just 2 years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which can explain a lot of my excess weight. I have been taking .075MG synthroid since. The doc said I should notice significant increase in energy, along with obvious weight loss. Obviously I don't expect weight to just fly off without doing any work, but I have been, and still very little results along with no noticed increase in energy.

In doing research, realized that synthroid only replaces T4... so, would taking Cytomel (T3) help in achieving my goals?

It is hard to find significant research regarding this, and I would clearly not put anything in my mouth without knowing exactly what it is, dangers, side-effects etc.
I also know that messing with hormones can potentially effect you for life... however, since I already take medication to stabilize my thyroid, should I consider taking clytomel... or am I just being dumb????

Thanks

If you are currently working with a Dr. it is best to continue to do so bring up the T3 to him and your issues. Are you getting regular blood test done?

It is correct to assume taking any kind of pill will not have the weight flying off you.

Can you please post up your diet be specific as possible example

8:00 a.m.
1/2 cup steel cut oats
6 egg whites
8 oz water

10 a.m
1 oz almonds
8 oz water

12:00
4 oz chicken breast broiled
1/2 cup yams
1 cup green beans steamed

etc...

Also give us your exact weight lifting and cardio plan again be as specific as possible this is the best way to help you when we have all the details.

 

[slat1]

I would stick with what the Dr says as Qt mentioned. He should be aware of all factors when dealing with your thyroid problems. Otherwise he is just wasting his time trying to figure everything out... that is how my Dr explained it to me anyway. He said he would rather know what I was doing instead of spending a year trying to figure it out.

 

[RottenWillow]

In doing research, realized that synthroid only replaces T4... so, would taking Cytomel (T3) help in achieving my goals?

Next time you see your physician ask superficially why he/she didnt also supplement T3, or if you're too anxious to wait call the nurse and inquire.

Is it an endocrinologist who is treating you? Could well be your T3 was within the normal range and didn't require supplementation.

 

[musclemom]

Another thought ... my husband was diagnosed with hypothyroidism way back when and his doctor put him on generic Armour thyroid. Honestly, he didn't notice much of a difference in his energy levels. Generic Armour thyroid is no longer available so his doc wrote him a script for levthyroxine and he noticed a HUGE difference.

Long story short, you're absolutely right, thyroid meds aren't once size fits all, and you may not be on enough or you may be on the wrong stuff, There's a really interesting book written by Richard L. Shames, M.D. and Karilee Haol Shames, R.N. entitled "Thyroid Power" one of the things they specifically mention is that getting your thyroid levels back to normal isn't just about blood levels of hormone but how you feel (they also tell you how to talk to the doctors if the doctor is sitting there going "there, there, your blood levels are fine").

 

[superqt4u2nv]

There's a really interesting book written by Richard L. Shames, M.D. and Karilee Haol Shames, R.N. entitled "Thyroid Power" one of the things they specifically mention is that getting your thyroid levels back to normal isn't just about blood levels of hormone but how you feel (they also tell you how to talk to the doctors if the doctor is sitting there going "there, there, your blood levels are fine").

This sounds like a good read.

 

[olie124]

Thanks a lot everyone. Here is an example of what I eat in a day (I try to eat 6 small meals a day to keep my blood sugars level and stabilize my poor metabolism, and I also only eat until I'm satisfied and not full)...
Breakfast:
Hard boiled egg with lean turkey meat or spinach/egg omelette and a piece of fruit

Snacks (usually 3 per day):
Nuts (cashews) and cheese stick or veggie sticks/salad or cottage cheese with fruit

Lunch:
5 veggie salad with a protein

Dinner:
Salmon & Lentils or chicken/veggie stirfry

Work Out: 1/2 hour interval training on eliptical or spin bike 2-3x/wk, ride my horse for 1 1/2 hours 2-3X/wk (good for both upper and lower body workout)
Weights: 2-3X wk 3 sets of 12-15reps, 50lb pulldowns, 40 lbs row, lunges, squats, and I use resistance bands for a lot of my workouts.
I am 23, 5"4 and I'm having difficulty ever getting below 150lbs and my highest has been pushing 170. I have a pretty thick build, large ribcage and hips, and my legs are very muscular (bigger calves than my boyfriend who has been training hard for the past 3 years and put on almost 50lbs of muscle!)

I just got back from my doctor's appointment regarding Cytomel. He put me on only 25mcg for the next 6 wks and took me off of Synthroid. My major concern was lack of energy and feeling lethargic. I'll let you know my progress and see if this low dose effects both my weight and energy.
Thanks again

 

[musclemom]

Thanks a lot everyone. Here is an example of what I eat in a day (I try to eat 6 small meals a day to keep my blood sugars level and stabilize my poor metabolism, and I also only eat until I'm satisfied and not full)...
Breakfast:
Hard boiled egg with lean turkey meat or spinach/egg omelette and a piece of fruit

Snacks (usually 3 per day):
Nuts (cashews) and cheese stick or veggie sticks/salad or cottage cheese with fruit

Lunch:
5 veggie salad with a protein

Dinner:
Salmon & Lentils or chicken/veggie stirfry

Work Out: 1/2 hour interval training on eliptical or spin bike 2-3x/wk, ride my horse for 1 1/2 hours 2-3X/wk (good for both upper and lower body workout)
Weights: 2-3X wk 3 sets of 12-15reps, 50lb pulldowns, 40 lbs row, lunges, squats, and I use resistance bands for a lot of my workouts.
I am 23, 5"4 and I'm having difficulty ever getting below 150lbs and my highest has been pushing 170. I have a pretty thick build, large ribcage and hips, and my legs are very muscular (bigger calves than my boyfriend who has been training hard for the past 3 years and put on almost 50lbs of muscle!)

I just got back from my doctor's appointment regarding Cytomel. He put me on only 25mcg for the next 6 wks and took me off of Synthroid. My major concern was lack of energy and feeling lethargic. I'll let you know my progress and see if this low dose effects both my weight and energy.
Thanks again

One little thing I would throw out there, fruit can spike blood sugar levels, even when taken in conjunction with proteins. While I don't think I have problems with my thyroid, I have noticed I will have haywire blood sugar if I eat fruit in the morning, have NO clue why. The way I notice is basically I'm hungry ALL day long, no matter what I do or how I eat.

You've said doc only. I'm curious, are you seeing an endocrinologist or are your hormones being monitored and medicated by a family doctor/GP?

I'd also be curious as to what your B12 levels look like ... but that's an easy enough one to test on your own. Get an OTC sublingual spray (not a tablet) and take it once a day, see what happens. If you're deficient in B12, you'll know practically from the first dose (bear in mind, B12 deficiency often goes hand in hand with bowel disorders, things like Celiac, Crohns or even IBS and undiagnosed food sensitivities/intolerances. Plus, a lot of young women just run a bit anemic no matter what, especially if they've been chronically serial dieting).

 

[nocebo]

The T4 hormone is a prohormone for T3, so basically T4 is converted eventually to T3 in the body. So that's why your doctor gave you the T4 supplement so it's really nothing to worry about. I'm pretty sure replacing T4 is still the first-line therapy for hypothyroidism. Anyway, I don't think synthroid itself would cause you to feel lethargic although it probably wasn't helping to increase your thyroid hormones back to normal levels. I'm sure the cytomel should help much more though. Good luck anyway!

 

[ceo]

It's important to know the cause of your hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can result from the thyroid gland not producing enough T4, or from a decreased rate of conversion of T4 into T3. If the later is the case, then Synthroid won't help you. Armour Thyroid or Cytomel with Synthroid would be a better choice, IMO. Are you seeing results from your Synthroid?

NEJM Study Proves Armour Thyroid Better Than Synthroid
Patients with hypothyroidism show greater improvements in mood and brain function if they receive treatment Armour thyroid rather than Synthroid (thyroxine). Hypothyroidism, where the gland has ceased to function or been removed, is usually treated with daily doses of Synthroid. But the researchers found that substituting Armour thyroid led to improvements in mood and in neuropsychological functioning.

Not all tissues that need thyroid hormone are equally able to convert thyroxine to triiodothyronine, the active form of the hormone. But most patients with hypothyroidism (reduced thyroid function) are treated only with thyroxine. On 6 of 17 measures of mood and cognition -- a catchall term that refers to language, learning and memory -- the patients scored better after receiving Armour thyroid than after receiving Synthroid. No score was better after Synthroid than after combination treatment. The authors also detected biochemical evidence that thyroid hormone action was greater after treatment with Armour thyroid. The patients who were on Armour thyroid had significantly higher serum concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin

The New England Journal of Medicine 1999;340:424-429, 469-470.