Re: Levoxyl and Cytomel help

December 22, 2003

Hi Dee,

I was taking 75 mcg of Levoxyl once a day and .5 mcgs of Cytomel twice a day. I

took the Levoxyl in the middle of my sleep cycle (when I'd get up and

pee--usually 8 a.m.) Then I'd get up around noon (on days I wasn't working

double shifts). At 1 p.m. I'd take my first Cytomel. Then at 1 a.m. after I'd

get off work, I'd take my 2nd Cytomel. I usually hit the sack between 3 a.m. & 6

a.m.--depending...

Here's a link to a conversion chart that should help you determine what the

equivalent would be (you'll have to scroll down).

http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html

In my opinion (and I'm in no way qualified to give you medical advice), I would

take 150 mcg of Levoxyl (equal to 1 1/2 grains of Armour). Then I would take .5

mcgs. of Cytomel twice a day.

If I were having to decide myself what to do, that's what I would take. I highly

recommend that you fax a copy of this conversion chart to your doc and see what

he/she recommends instead of trying to figure it out on your own. He/she should

be able to figure it out in a sec and call you back.

Glad you're doing better and hope this combo will be good for you. It was for me

but not quite enough.

Take it easy. Hugs, Sheila

dm12420@... wrote:

Hi All! Four days off Armour and I found out it was the cause of many of my

problems. I don't know if it was the fillers or the piggy stuff or what but it

did me in. Still have the hypo symptoms but not nearly as bad right now. I can

at least function somewhat now. Doc gave me a script for levoxyl (because

lactose free) and cytomel. I was on two grains of Armour and my labs were pretty

normal then although I felt awful. I have no idea what combo of levoxyl and

cytomel to use. My doc wasn't a big help since he has almost all his patients on

Armour. He pretty much left it up to me. Can you levoxyl and cytomel users

please help me? I'm supposed to start this tomorrow. Thank you so much.

Dee

December 23, 2003

The typical is 3/4 Levoxyl, 1/4 Cytomel - that is close to what you'd

get in Armour. 2 grains is 120mg, isn't it? I don't know how much

Levoxyl that is equivalent to, but if Armour wasn't giving you

palpitations or anything, I'd try the 3:1 combo, like 75mcg Levoxyl +

25mcg Cytomel.

I use 150mcg Synthroid + 50mcg Cytomel.

Jan

> Hi All! Four days off Armour and I found out it was the cause of

many of my

> problems. I don't know if it was the fillers or the piggy stuff or

what but it

> did me in. Still have the hypo symptoms but not nearly as bad right

now. I can

> at least function somewhat now. Doc gave me a script for levoxyl

(because

> lactose free) and cytomel. I was on two grains of Armour and my

labs were pretty

> normal then although I felt awful. I have no idea what combo of

levoxyl and

> cytomel to use. My doc wasn't a big help since he has almost all

his patients on

> Armour. He pretty much left it up to me. Can you levoxyl and

cytomel users

> please help me? I'm supposed to start this tomorrow. Thank you so

much.

> Dee

>

December 23, 2003

Dee,

I'm going on my 4th day of that combo and I feel better, but I still suspect

adrenal issues. I'm getting them tested in February b/c I just stopped

breastfeeding and need to go through one full cycle before the testing.

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December 23, 2003

Jan,

Thanks for your help.

Dee

December 23, 2003

Natasha,

Wow! Odd combination but glad you found what works. Doc kind of left it up to

me. I started this morning at 50 mcg. and 5 mcg of cytomel. But in comparing

my dosage of Armour to levoxyl today I decided that tomorrow I am going to go

75 mcg levoxyl and 7 1/2 of cytomel. I should add I'm going to see how I sleep

tonight. I'm tired so it shouldn't be a problem but you never know with me.

Doc gave me 25 mcg pills and said to take 4 - 6 daily! I'm going to wait and

see how I feel first. How soon should I notice a difference? I thought I felt a

difference today...first day....but maybe it was wishful thinking. I did get a

lot more accomplished than usual. I even went to the gym for my usual walk. I

usually dread it and can't wait to be done...the time usually drags. Not this

evening though. I walked longer than normal and it was pleasurable. Thanks

for your help.

Dee

December 23, 2003

Natasha,

I should have added something. If my bowels don't start moving

(sorry...big problem) soon I will increase before a month though....that is if I

still

have other hypo symptoms too. Is it the t4 the helps the bowels or the t4?

Dee

December 23, 2003

How much is your doc starting you out on? I am a strange case...I was

taking Levoxly (ended at 150mcg started at 50 mcg) and still not feeling

good. Doc put me on Cytomel 25 mcg (started feeling better), then slowly

took me off the Levoxly until I was only on Cytomel (75mcg). But being only

on Cytomel, I started to feel sluggish again (after 7-8 hours of sleep,

still could not get out of bed and constipation). He put me back on Levoxly

but only .25mcg...and I swear it is perfect! However, it took a year and a

half to figure out that combination...but my doctor listened and did what

felt best.

He may play around with it just a little more because my test are coming in

too low (my TSH is undetectable, so we may try to get it somewhere between 0

and 1, but only if I start showing signs of hyper-)

Natasha

-- Levoxyl and Cytomel help

Hi All! Four days off Armour and I found out it was the cause of many of my

problems. I don't know if it was the fillers or the piggy stuff or what but

it

did me in. Still have the hypo symptoms but not nearly as bad right now. I

can

at least function somewhat now. Doc gave me a script for levoxyl (because

lactose free) and cytomel. I was on two grains of Armour and my labs were

pretty

normal then although I felt awful. I have no idea what combo of levoxyl and

cytomel to use. My doc wasn't a big help since he has almost all his

patients on

Armour. He pretty much left it up to me. Can you levoxyl and cytomel users

please help me? I'm supposed to start this tomorrow. Thank you so much.

Dee

December 23, 2003

I would say whatever combo you try, stick with it for at least a week. Also

keep a log of how you are feeling (bowel movements, sleep, energy, dryness

of skin, everything...) This way, you can see if things are getting better

and bounce that against the blood work.

For years, I thought I was a hypochondriac prior to being diagnosed...

dermatologist for several things, gyn for another, regular doc for another,

upper GI specialists...the gamut...As they say, knowing is half the battle.

But I think, it is important to be honest with your doc (and yourself) about

how you are feeling...so you get the right dose for you and don't get under

or over medicated.

-- Re: Levoxyl and Cytomel help

Natasha,

Wow! Odd combination but glad you found what works. Doc kind of left it up

to

me. I started this morning at 50 mcg. and 5 mcg of cytomel. But in comparing

my dosage of Armour to levoxyl today I decided that tomorrow I am going to

go

75 mcg levoxyl and 7 1/2 of cytomel. I should add I'm going to see how I

sleep

tonight. I'm tired so it shouldn't be a problem but you never know with me.

Doc gave me 25 mcg pills and said to take 4 - 6 daily! I'm going to wait and

see how I feel first. How soon should I notice a difference? I thought I

felt a

difference today...first day....but maybe it was wishful thinking. I did get

a

lot more accomplished than usual. I even went to the gym for my usual walk.

I

usually dread it and can't wait to be done...the time usually drags. Not

this

evening though. I walked longer than normal and it was pleasurable. Thanks

for your help.

Dee

December 23, 2003

For me it was the levoxly that helped me. That is the T4. Trust me, as I

am sure that most understand, constipation is a big problem. I am 31 and

this is the first time in my life I go everyday.

-- Re: Levoxyl and Cytomel help

Natasha,

I should have added something. If my bowels don't start moving

(sorry...big problem) soon I will increase before a month though....that is

if I still

have other hypo symptoms too. Is it the t4 the helps the bowels or the t4?

Dee

December 24, 2003

Interesting. The T4 doesn't affect this for me, T3 has.

Also, I want to add to take into consideration the half life of T3

when tweaking the dose. I just learned on another site that T3 does

build over 3 days time. So you won't reap the benefit, or notice

hyper symptoms until that time. That was what caused my chest

tightness that did start several days after modestly upping my dose.

> For me it was the levoxly that helped me. That is the T4. Trust

me, as I

> am sure that most understand, constipation is a big problem. I am

31 and

> this is the first time in my life I go everyday.

>

> -- Re: Levoxyl and Cytomel help

>

> Natasha,

> I should have added something. If my bowels don't start moving

> (sorry...big problem) soon I will increase before a month

though....that is

> if I still

> have other hypo symptoms too. Is it the t4 the helps the bowels or

the t4?

> Dee

>

December 24, 2003

Sheila,

The only time I wasn't constipated was when I was off meds for 4 days and

when I went hyper (but my only symptom I had was no constipation and extreme

fatigue). I've always had a med with t3 in it whether natural or synthetic.

I'm wondering if my body can't handle that. I was constipated when my t3 was

over the top and t4 was a little less than mid range on Armour. I don't know

what to think or what to do. I am currently on (I think you recommended this or

close to it) 75 mcg levoxyl and 7 1/2 mcg cytomel). I'm go gassy now and I have

to face family tomorrow for the holidays....I want to stay home!

Happy Holidays!

Dee

December 24, 2003

neither Levoxyl or the combo of Levoxyl/Cytomel ever helped with

constipation....when I switched to Armour 1 week ago, that changed. I've been

regular ever since! sheila

dm12420@... wrote:Natasha,

I should have added something. If my bowels don't start moving

(sorry...big problem) soon I will increase before a month though....that is if I

still

have other hypo symptoms too. Is it the t4 the helps the bowels or the t4?

Dee

December 25, 2003

Hi Dee, I went and looked at the prescribing info to make sure Cytomel is

lactose-free, and it looks like it is. Here's the link so you can check it out:

http://www.kingpharm.com/uploads/pdf_inserts/Cytomel_PI.pdf

I don't know what to think. Have you been dealing with the gas problems since

you started Cytomel?

Wonder if you're allergic to something else and your body is reacting to that?

I guess it could be the Cytomel, but I really just don't know.

I found out recently that I had a bunch of food allergies that I never knew I

had until I was tested.

Also, I thought I was just lactose intolerant, but it turns out I actually have

an allergy to the protein in dairy products.

I wish I could help you figure this one out, but it's over my head. I don't know

what to think either.

When I'm really constipated, I definitely have problems with gas. Do you think

that could be it?

I just started working with this new girl at the doctor's office, and she and I

have a lot in common. Her thyroid ultrasound showed multi-nodular goiter, and

she has all the same symptoms like us. I think she has Hashi's, but she hasn't

been tested yet.

Anyway, she told me she's constipated all the time and has a lot of problems

with gas. Her doc is starting her on thyroid hormones, but you know that will

take time for the meds to kick in. In the meantime, he's RXing her some kind of

drug for people with irritable bowel syndrome who are constipated. Anyway, she

said that's helping her. Maybe it's something to think about...maybe not...

My endo suggested it as a possibility to me, but I chose not to take it. The

Armour seems to be doing the trick.

Anyway, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I wish I could help, but

I just have no idea if it could be the Cytomel or not.

Take care! Hugs, Sheila