Cytomel And Levoxyl Together ???

I am "ending" my RAI period tomorrow coming off of LID (FYI --with two chili and cheese burritos) and starting my escape from hypo commencing with Levoxl and Cytomel. The Cytomel is for 28 days and the Levoxyl for the next 100 years. :0) However, after a discussion about my hypo activity with my endo she just pulled away the Cytomel part so here's what I'm asking.


Anyone had a regiment of both together? How was it?


She (my endo) usually prescribes this double approach after completing RAI (just before the TBS). It's 150 of Levoxl and 50 (25 x 2) of Cytomel daily for the first month. This will get you back to "normal" after 1 and a half days because the Cytomel should work that fast. WithoutCytomel the Levoxyl will take about a month. BUT, because I was so non-affected during hypo -- 24th day yesterday I was trimming hedges, mowing lawn, raking, usual over-the-top stuff -- she just decided that my particular hypo was pretty abnormal and not too taxing, so skip the Cytomel and take the slow ride of Levoxl-only to "normalcy". Now that I think of it a quick jump back may have been better because I do get a little light-headed occasionaly, and I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but I asked her only because I was afraid of a super-boost doing both at once. Now that she explains that the Levoxl is so slow acting it probably wouldn't have been a concern, but it's too late now, she said skip the Cytomel.


Cytomel was absolutely fine in the 30 day after surgery (TTR); felt the same after surgery as I did before.

I'm 53 year old male who had (I hope "had" papillary.


RedStar

I know that everyone reacts differently to Cytomel, so I can only tell you my experience.  I too had both Levo and Cytomel after my RAI.  Let me tell you, I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.  Having them both together was way too much for me.  It gave me major panic attacks.  After about a week of it I called my endo and he told me that some people react that way when on both, and to stop taking the Cytomel.  I felt better after a couple days.  If you are feeling fine now, I would just go with the Levo, and forget about the Cytomel.  They really only use it if you are feeling aweful because of the Hypo stage.  It helps you get your levels up faster.  It is great that you are doing so well with all of this.  Enjoy those Burritos.  I had my husband make me a pizza on my way home from my WBS, it was the best thing I ever tasted :.)  Skylog

I too was told I would do both the cytomel and synthroid together right after RAI.  The cytomel would be continued for about 4 days--to help kickstart everything again I guess.  Then I go off of it and stay on the synthroid.

I understand why some people are advised to take them both at the same time--but my question concerns starting them both right away after the RAI but staying on the LID for the week after while I get my scans....does this not affect anything/why is that?

Were you told to start taking them before your WBS?  Most of the time you start taking your meds the day of your WBS.  Afterwards that is.  Is that what you are asking?  I don't think anyone has started their meds before the scan.  I'm no endo, that is just what I have learned along the way..

Thanks for sharing the super-up experience!! Your experience is just what I feared would happen to me, so I'm really glad that I called her. I can handle a little tired, but I'm not too good at drug induced rushes... I can imagine my axiousness racing which is something that I wanted to avoid. And as am I am going to be out of town I am NOT hoping to find about this far away from my doc. So I'll stick with the Levoxyl only route. Yes... she's got it that I did the RAI (last Friday 5/16) and seven days later I can go off of LID and start my hormones. The TBS and uptake and CAT scan is 3 or 4 day later. I did have a preliminary TBS when I did my pre-RAI uptake the day before the RAI pill. (Listen to me... I sound like I know what I'm I'm talking about!! I'm impressed). RedStar 19 hours until I uptake those burritos

 You are welcome, glad to help.  You're so funny.  I think most call it WBS (whole body scan).  I guess it can be called TBS (total body scan??).  You do sound like you know what you are talking about.  See how helpful these boards are. I hope those burritos taste as good as you remember:.)  Skylog

I am a 42 year old female who has added cytomel daily to my synthroid... my body does not convert T4 to T3 like it should. Cytomel has been my saviour! I take 125 synthroid and 17.5 cytomel daily... it's the only way my endo can control my blood levels where he wants them when he looks at all the numbers not just the TSH.

Hi Skylog, lrquake and whomever: I am going to do both for at least a short time. My hypo is probably a little more real than I've been leading myself to believe. Longer endo/patient story... but anyway...one of you said that they were told 4 days and then leave Cytomel. The other left when the body started to go wacko. I like the 4 day idea. My endo said just watch what your body says ... so SKYLOG... how soon could you tell that something was not quite right? I assume that the Levoxyl is so slow acting that it might be a while? And if anyone else wants to jump in -- that would be great! RedStar

I will have four scans the week of RAI.  The tracer the day before, then I will get the RAi and have a scan.  Then a few days later another scan and then yet a few more days another scan.  I am supposed to stay on the LID during this time frame but start taking the cytomel and synthroid together after receiving the RAI itself.  The question was why it was necessary to stay on the LID but start the meds so soon.....I don't supposed it really matters but it had crossed my mind.....

Hey Redstar- I really didn't mean to scare you about the Cytomel stuff.  You may do just fine on both.  It took only about 5 days or so until I could tell that something was very wrong.   You will know right away if it is too much.  Then just stop the Cytomel (or whatever your endo wants you to do).  I'm sure there are plenty of people who do just fine on both.  I only wanted to tell you my experience, just in case it happens to you, you will know what's up.  I really wish you the best.  Good luck, and let us know how you do.  Oh, how were the burritos?????  Take care Skylog