Do you want to expand on your experience so others can learn from it? Why did you take thyroid? What were you trying to fix? What dose? How long did you take it? What other meds were you taking at the time? Did you have negative side effects or just no positive benefit?
In my particular case, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's - severe hypothyroid. Low FT4, low FT3, extremely elevated thyroid antibodies, TSH in the high 20's (should be less than 4)...the works. Basically, my immune system is out of whack and is trying to kill off my thyroid.
Great question (your last question). Technically, per established norms, I do not meet the criteria, but my rT3 to free T3 ratio is elevated such that most anti-aging docs would recommend thyroid supplementation. I am borderline low on Free T4 and Free T3 and slightly elevated on rT3. I was advised to start cytomel. I did in the past, but it was at the same time as other big changes (TRT changes). So, looking back, it's hard to tell if the cytomel, helped, hurt or did nothing. Thinking about giving it another try now that TRT is stable.
Oddly enough, I started TRT a number of years before my thyroid issue cropped up. It took me quite some time to get my TRT dose dialed in. Now taking 0.5 cc per week in 3 divided shots along with 600 IU of HCG per week in 2 divided shots. I'm compounding my own AI - dissolving four 1mg tabs of Anastrazole in 16 cc of quality vodka. Measure it out with a slip-tip 1 cc syringe w/o needle (.25 cc 3x of the mixture per week along with my test shot)...approximately 0.1875 mg per week. Keeps my E2 in the sweet spot - in range with SHBG. Everyone is different, so your mileage may vary.
During my brief trial, I think I felt the same, but it was at the same time as probable supraphysiologic test levels while on cream.
Keep in mind that liothyronine (generic Cytomel) has a half life of roughly 4 hours. You may feel better by split dosing it - i.e. 5 mcg in the morning, then another 5 mcg mid-afternoon. If you feel jittery (like you've had too much coffee), then you're taking too much and probably should cut back.
1. a bit maybe, but also more anxiety some insomnia
Those possible "hyper" symptoms tend to occur much later in the day. Any attempts at splitting the dose result in significant sleep disturbances, even when it's just 5 mcg split into two doses a few hours apart. It's possible things would settle down after a few days, but 2-3 nights is my limit before I throw in the towel.
@Gman86, I haven't finished it yet, but I have listened to most of the podcast. I do not recall Dr. Crisler ever recommending this. What's strange is that they spend a lot of time discussing how to take pregnenolone, dosing, why transdermal is better, why there is no risk of transfer, etc. But, there is little to no discussion regarding why we should take it. What symptom drives a person to try it, or what complaint by a patient leads a physician to recommend it to patients.Looks like it was posted in 2017
SHR # 2071 :: Pregnenolone the Progenitor Hormone ::
Dr. John Crisler This show originally aired in 2009 but it was time to rerun it axs many of the discussion about HCG with Dr. Crisler brought us...superhumanradio.net
.Ya it’s so unfortunate that he was taken way too soon, he was truly one of the pioneers of TRT, and I would of loved to see how his thoughts and views evolved overtime on everything@Gman86, I haven't finished it yet, but I have listened to most of the podcast. I do not recall Dr. Crisler ever recommending this. What's strange is that they spend a lot of time discussing how to take pregnenolone, dosing, why transdermal is better, why there is no risk of transfer, etc. But, there is little to no discussion regarding why we should take it. What symptom drives a person to try it, or what complaint by a patient leads a physician to recommend it to patients.
There are robust discussion about pregnenelone on the forum, but it's still not totally clear why guys take it. I am intrigued, but need to know more. For the record, I very briefly tried it orally (regular and micronized). I think I felt funky, but it was too short to tell.
Are you investigating it?
I also am a little confused by his thoughts on transdermal testosterone. He clearly likes it, but when I consulted with him, he had a tendency to steer me away from it. That said, I was on it for a period of time. I may have requested it, but I just can't remember. I do miss the guy
How people react to T3 tends to depend on the context in which it was taken. If you take it in the morning before you wake up, many people feel energized and have increased cortisol output when they’d want it to output. In the evening, some people feel sleepy when taking it, or revved up if they were already in a state to be a little revved up for other reasons.
Any update on your thyroid routine? I’ve been experimenting with taking my time release T3 before bed to try and boost cortisol. Seems to be hit and miss, but I definitely feel a response. Waiting on recent saliva cortisol results. Last spring my AM cortisol tested low though, which might explain why taking the t3 before bed helps.
I’m not sure of the exact science, but in the STTM book they mention taking a dose of T3 a few hours before you wake up as a way to boost cortisol. Since there is no way in hell I’m waking up at 4am to pop a pill I just started taking my time release t3 before bed and then space out my quick release throughout the day. It’s just an experiment I’m doing. Like I said, it’s been hit and miss, but some days I wake up feeling great.
I mean that’s my experience with HRT in a nutshell. Finding success with something then not being able to maintain consistency. I am curious to see my cortisol results though. Last saliva test I did in the spring was super out of whack. My sleep is also a bit hit and miss, but not anymore so than it was before I started the T3 at night.
