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Cytomel with no parathyroid
I will be going for a I131 scan in December and my doctor took me off of my 100 levothroxine. He prescribed for me one 25 Cytomel tablet a day. At 2.5 weeks before the scan, I am to go off of Cytomel and not take any medicine. Someone mentioned to me that Cytomel wouldn't do anything since I don't have a parathyroid. Is that true and will my hypo symptons start? Generally when do the hypothryoid symptons start after you go off of them? Any help or information would be appreciated. Thank you! Laura
Best Answer
It is important to note if your T4 listing is for TOTAL T4 or Free T4.
If it is not specifically listed as "free" T4 or FT4, then it most likely would be total T4 which is an outdated test of little value.
You really need to get your FT4 AND FT3 tested. Many people find that to feel well they need their FT4 to be MIDDLE of the range or slightly higher AND, that means in addition to, you need to have the FT3 in the UPPER 1/3 part of the range.
Simply being somewhere within range is NOT good enough. At least not for a lot of people!
I see now why the switch to T3 only so that you can stop a couple days just before the I 131 test and have virtually zero meds in your system. I would think that you will definitely feel hypo for those days before and maybe immediately after this test.
OK time for me to learn. What is the I-131 test do? What is it testing for or trying to detect?
If it is not specifically listed as "free" T4 or FT4, then it most likely would be total T4 which is an outdated test of little value.
You really need to get your FT4 AND FT3 tested. Many people find that to feel well they need their FT4 to be MIDDLE of the range or slightly higher AND, that means in addition to, you need to have the FT3 in the UPPER 1/3 part of the range.
Simply being somewhere within range is NOT good enough. At least not for a lot of people!
I see now why the switch to T3 only so that you can stop a couple days just before the I 131 test and have virtually zero meds in your system. I would think that you will definitely feel hypo for those days before and maybe immediately after this test.
OK time for me to learn. What is the I-131 test do? What is it testing for or trying to detect?
Here are my test results from May TSH T4 3.110 T4 1.35 Thyroglobulin <0.5. I had a i 131 scan in July because of my Thyrolglobulin levels. They found some suspicious cells. My doctor wanted to wait before another scan. I guess the cells are in the middle of the neck that shouldn't be a problem. He wants me to have another scan now and that is why I am on the cytomel. My scan is mid Dec. I will post my October test results once I get a copy of them. Somehow, they were misplaced with all my paperwork.
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You have to be off all medication prior to RAI, which is what the I 131 is. Yes, most likely you will experience some hypo symptoms. Why are you having RAI?
I'm confused about the reference to parathyroid, since parathyroids have no relationship to the thyroid except their location in the body - parathyroids are located under/behind each lobe of the thyroid.
I'm confused about the reference to parathyroid, since parathyroids have no relationship to the thyroid except their location in the body - parathyroids are located under/behind each lobe of the thyroid.
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Your body symptoms etc will generally react to the levels of Free T3 in your bloodstream as that is the only thing your body uses.
Theoretically I believe that a person can be on T3 only medication. I think a few people are. But I'm not sure that totally short circuiting your body's natural response of converting T4 into T3 is the best idea. Even if you have issues with converting properly it just makes sense to me to allow your body to do what it can and only help out what needs help with medication.
Because Cytomel (T3) is immediately available for your body to use, they say it is 4 times stronger than a T4 medicine because T4 has to go through the conversion process etc. So by this rule of thumb the 25 mcg of Cytomel is equivalent to the 100 mcg of Levo.
I'm not sure what your Dr is doing all of this for but he/she must have a reason.
Also you may want to split your T3 into two half doses. This way you don't get BLASTED with a burst of T3 in the morning and then wane off towards the end of the day. Do not take the last dose past about 3 PM or so as you may have issues getting to sleep at night. I would be somewhat surprised if you did not have some sort of reaction to blasting yourself with 25 mcg of Cytomel. your body is not used to getting that much T3 all at once.
Do you have any Thyroid lab results? If so please post them along with the reference ranges. In particular look for Free T4 and Free T3 test results.
What are your symptoms? How are you feeling?