Posted by noa on March 5, 2002, at 18:00:22
In reply to Re: thyroid problems (maybe?) and medication » Lorraine, posted by Krazy Kat on March 5, 2002, at 8:05:31
My experience was more gradual---after about 4-5 days, I started to feel a tiny bit better, by about 10 days it was definitely a significant improvement. Still, I needed the dose increased once in a while, and the pdoc later added synthroid as well. All the while I was diagnosed with "subclinical" hypothyroidism, and even then, my internist was not totally convinced but thankfully, took the pdoc's lead.
Eventually, I saw an endocrinologist who confirmed the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism and increased my cytomel and synthroid doses gradually using how I felt as the guideline--increase until I saw no additional benefit. Even then, the improvement continued for a number of months after the last increase.
He also taught me something my pdoc hadn't known--the T3/Cytomel has a shorter half life and should be taken in split doses. The split doses help to alleviate some of the up and down of blood levels that can cause the heart palpitations sometimes.
But if you can do it, it is a good idea to see a good endocrinologist to help you figure out what is going on.
Lots of good info in the thyroid and depression folder at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links/Noa_s_thyroid_links_000963272558/
Good luck.
poster:noa
thread:96402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/96583.html