Hypothyroidism and T3: Other Websites
Purpose of this compilation
To show that for many patients, treating hypothyroidism with T4 alone does not constitute adequate treatment; supplementation with T3 (triiodothyronine) is necessary for these patients to regain their health.
See also the links in the right column, as well as the Desiccated Thyroid References: Other Websites and TSH References: Other Websites pages.
A. Medical clinics
B. Medical writers
C. Other
A. Medical clinics
Mary Medical Clinic: "Thyroid Dysfunction"
It would seem simple to understand that if you could not convert T4 to T3 then why would you continue to give T4 despite the continuation of symptoms?...Synthroid is synthetic thyroid (syn/throid), and is composed only of T4. The missing component is T3 and needs to be replaced as well.
B. Medical writers
Mary J. Shomon, author of Living Well With Autoimmune Disease (2002) and Living Well With Hypothyroidism (2000), and About.com Guide to Thyroid Disease: "Is Your Hypothyroidism UNDERtreated?"
Many people have a normal or even LOW-normal TSH level, yet still suffer continuing hypothyroidism symptoms. In these cases, the addition of T3 helped relieve depression, brain fog, fatigue and other symptoms.
C. Other
This site: A compilation of patients' experiences with the use of T3
GR: I found that T3 and T4 (Cytomel and Synthroid) helped where T4 alone didn't.
NV: I was doing "okay" for years on just Synthroid. Then I added Cytomel after reading about it on this newsgroup. My life has completely changed — so this is what it's like to go through life awake....I won't give up my Cytomel for anything.
SH:...I go from feeling kind of 'fuzzy' to clear thinking about 10 or 15 minutes after taking my morning dose. I've tried not taking the T3 a couple of times just to see if it's really making a difference but after an hour or two I start feeling my old self (kind of zombie like) so I go ahead an take it and BAM! a few minutes later I feel 'normal.'
JO: I have been feeling much better. I am able to handle stress easier, less brain fog and memory problems and overall more even mood.
Cheryl: I have been taking T3 with my T4 now for a year and have never felt better. Even with just the T4 I was still depressed, anxiety attacks, weight gain, foggy head, tired, etc. The T3 immediately cleared the foggy head and the other symptoms went away soon after.
Laura: Constipation, brain fog, dry skin, and cold intolerance is gone. My blood pressure has even come down to really great levels. The weight is even beginning to come off as well. Let me repeat myself, I feel GREAT!
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