Help with Cytomel

[jmzwy]

Just was prescribed Cytomel by defy medical. Reverse T3 was 23 and T3 was 2.8. Took 5 mcg for the first week as prescribed, and then increased to 10 mcg. For the first week I had trouble sleeping the first two or three nights, and then settled in. At 10 mcg I haven’t been able to sleep at all for three nights now.... like zero sleep seriously. Is this normal and just a matter of my body adapting to the new medication, or is this a sign that I just should not be taking cyromel. Any thoughts or experience are appreciated.

 

[Vtail]

My numbers were very close to yours, and I was prescribed the extended release version of T3 from Empower. As I increased the dose I went through a rough patch of high anxiety/stress and very poor sleep for 3-4 weeks. After that things returned to normal.

 

[Cataceous]

Are you taking it first thing in the morning? I had similar numbers and also take 10 mcg prescribed by Defy. I find that, if anything, it has improved my sleep. I use generic tablets from my local pharmacy and not something compounded.

I don't know how or why, but there may be differences in outcomes between different formulations at the same dose. I tried substituting AllDayChemist's version for part of my dose but then I did have trouble sleeping and experienced mild hyper- symptoms.

 

[jmzwy]

Mine is generic from local pharmacy. Maybe I’ll try empower’s sustained release.

Thanks

 

[JimGainz]

Try spreading out your dose - take 5 mcg when you get up and then another 5 mcgs 5 hours later or before lunch. T3 meds are tricky to get dialed in. I titrated from 5 to 10 and then 15 - by then I was bouncing off the walls. Went back to 10 per day but in a split dose and never take it after 3 pm to avoid sleep issues. Other than the dialing in period I have had zero problems sleeping with it.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Your FT3/RT3 ratio is real low, around 12, meaning something might be causing T4 to be converting to RT3 at a higher rate than desired.

It would be good to see the whole picture, with FT4, antibodies (TPO & TgAb), plus CBC's, iron/ferritin, D3, metabolic panel, etc., the gamut if you have it? Also, ranges can help as well to just get a better perspective of the % of reference range.