Cytomel vs. Thyrolar - Thyroid Disorders Message Board

Bocci · 07-28-2005, 07:47 AM

Can anyone help me understand the difference between these 2 meds, (if any)?

Been taking .15 mcg of Cytomel daily for 3 months, had excellent results.

The pharmacy is out of Cytomel, so the doctor called in Thyrolar, which I will begin taking today.

I am scared that I won't continue to receive the same results from the Thyrolar.

My mood, weight has improved 100% since I began taking Cytomel, and I am scared to change! Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated.

midwest1 · 07-28-2005, 08:08 AM

Cytomel is synthetic T3. (T3 is the more 'powerful' of the two thyroid hormones.) Thyrolar is a synthetic combination of T3 plus T4 - the more plentiful thyroid hormone.

As long as the dose prescribed contains the same amount of T3 as you're used to, the addition of the T4 may or may not make a difference. It's hard to predict what will happen. It is now recommended by the experts in the field that patients should stick with what works when it comes to thyroid medicine... because even a switch between brands of T4 can make a big difference; changing formulas altogether certainly could.

If you're only switching for a few days, until you can get the Cytomel, you may not notice a difference at all, but it's really hard to say.

The pharmacies I use can usually obtain within a day any drug needed from a cooperating pharmacy which has it in stock. As a thyroid patient, who knows how hard it usually is to get regulated on a brand and dose, I would advise you to do what you have to to get the one that works for you. Drive farther, temporarily use samples from the MD, etc.
Just my opinion.

Bocci · 07-28-2005, 08:10 AM

My pharmacy said Cytomel was on "backorder" from the manufacturer? Does this sound possible?

Bocci · 07-28-2005, 08:21 AM

Midwest,

Thanks for the info, I thought I might post my test results here, which might help you figure which med would be better, the Thyrolar or Cytomel.

T4 : 1.1
TSH: 2.3

midwest1 · 07-28-2005, 09:06 AM

I once had trouble finding a refill for my Armour. It was backordered and unavailable at every Walgreen's store in my area. I called other pharm's and found what I needed at a grocery chain's pharm. The shortage turned out to be a problem at the manufacturer's end... They were having trouble with supply. So, yes, it's possible your Cytomel is "backordered".
Rather than being without any med, if you absolutely can't find any somewhere else, try the Thyrolar. It's better than being without, and it may even be altogether better.

When you post test results, you need to include the lab's normal range with them. We have to compare your result to the "norm" to know what's what. If you know which T4 test you had (free T4 or total T4), that's important to report too.

Just judging by what you report, on a typical range your TSH would be higher than where most people in treatment feel well. And you've had no test for T3, which is the hormone that you've been taking. That's a little bothersome, because the MD has no idea where your T3 level stands.
But the thing is ~ You feel well! That's the most important thing... More important than lab tests. This is the way doctors treated hypoT long before lab tests for it were invented. They gave the med and watched for symptoms to go away. The tests should only be used as a guide, but that's not what usually happens.

Let us know what you decide to do about the med, and what happens with it!