How to Take a Cytomel Cycle
Cytomel is a synthetic version of liothyronine (also called T3), a naturally occurring thyroid hormone. In humans, liothyronine increases and regulates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and vitamins; affects protein synthesis; and also increases adrenaline sensitivity. This hormone interacts with most cells in the body, and a deficiency can result in abnormal metabolism and development. Doctors prescribe Cytomel to treat hypothyroidism, a deficiency in the natural production of liothyronine.
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Instructions
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Consult a physician if you think you suffer from hypothyroidism. After a positive diagnosis, your doctor can prescribe Cytomel.
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Begin taking 25 mcg daily to treat mild hypothyroidism. Liothyronine comes as an oral tablet that you take in a single dose before breakfast.
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Increase the dosage to arrive at a standard maintenance dosage between 25 and 75 mcg daily. Until your body becomes acclimated to Cytomel, you may not notice any improvement in your condition for about two weeks However, after this point, you can begin increasing the amount you take by 25mcg daily every 1 or 2 weeks.
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Tell your doctor if you think the dosage is too low and you begin to again experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. These symptoms can include sudden weight loss or weight gain, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, impaired growth, slow speech, loss of hair and a drying or thickening of the skin.
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Avoid taking more Cytomel than directed and consult your physician if you feel the dosage is excessive. Signs of too much Cytomel may include nervousness, excess sweating, difficulty sleeping, labored breathing, leg cramps, hives, chest pain, menstrual irregularities, irregular heartbeat, diarrhea and headache. Overdose symptoms can range from abdominal pain, chest pain and irregular heartbeat to shock, cardiac arrest and congestive heart failure.
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Keep taking Cytomel unless your doctor advises you to stop, even if you begin to feel healthy and are showing signs of a normal metabolism. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism that requires Cytomel usually must take the drug for the rest of their lives.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are on oral anticoagulants, aluminum-containing antacids, iron supplements or ulcer and cholesterol-lowering medications, take them at different times than the Cytomel. They can affect the body's absorbtion of T3.
The National Institutes of Health issued the following warning against using Cytomel for weight loss or to treat obesity: "Thyroid hormone should not be used to treat obesity in patients with normal thyroid function. Liothyronine is ineffective for weight reduction in normal thyroid patients and may cause serious or life-threatening toxicity, especially when taken with amphetamines."
Patients with a history of heart disease, chest pain or high blood pressure should consult a physician before taking Cytomel. Patients with coronary artery damage should begin with lower dosages.
