Liothyronine and Depression: What Users Say

• Ash...
• October 3, 2013

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "I was on Synthroid only for 8 years after being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. My dose was changed many times over that time frame by 4 different Endocrinologists, but I still felt bad: weight gain, fogginess, depression, chronic fatigue, you name it. 6 weeks ago, I was put on 10 mcg of Cytomel by a new doc that I am seeing 100 miles from my hometown, and I am happy to say that for the first time in 8 years, I have relief from my symptoms. I have lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks. I am happy, not in a fog anymore, and I have the energy to enjoy life once again. The Cytomel made all the difference."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2010

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "My doctor and I tried every T4 medication out there, and although I felt better, I still wasn't right. After 2 years, he switched me to Cytomel, and I immediately knew I had found the solution. All the hypo symptoms disappeared - constipation, depression, weight gain, and exhaustion. My cholesterol dropped to 140... in fact, all my blood work is excellent. It's very discouraging to know you're doing everything right - diet, exercise, sleep - and not only do your lab numbers not respond, but doctors tend to think you're not telling them the truth. Finally found a doctor that believed me; finally found the right medication. Life is good!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

Liothyronine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "An endocrinologist put me on the 50 mg per day post TT. I felt tremendous. Then my insurance changed, and I had to find a new doctor. The new doctor refused to prescribe Cytomel. So for several years, I’ve been on Synthroid 200 and 300, and then Nature-Throid 3 grains. The Nature-Throid won out over the Synthroid by far. But my total T3 and FT3 were still tanked. I began seeing a functional medicine doctor who suggested T3-only medication. WHAT A LIFE CHANGER! I take 25 mg per day. Gone is the anxiety, mood swings, depression, weight gain, brain fog, and insomnia. I feel like a brand new person at 62. My doctor follows my labs closely, and all thyroid levels are in range (FT3 upper range, FT4 mid-range). I highly recommend trying this monotherapy if you don’t have a thyroid gland and other medication regimens have failed."

• Lau...
• August 31, 2019

Liothyronine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I have had Hashimoto's hypothyroidism for 40 years. I was on generic levothyroxine for most of that time. As I reached 50, my new endocrinologist decided I should add 5mcg (of very potent) T3, also known as Cytomel, to my 150mcg of levothyroxine. Initially, like many patients, I felt great, then it got real bad. I am sorry, I know some people do very well on it, but many do not. Here is what I experienced in order of severity: Super dark Thoughts, Severe Depression, Rage, Rapidly Cycling Moods, Facial Swelling, Extreme Itching, Nighttime Coughing, Intense Migraines, Insomnia, Heat Intolerance, Dilated Neck Veins, Extreme Fatigue, Hot Flashes with the Inability to Sweat. If you experience any or all of these, you are not alone and you are not crazy!"

• Cou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2020

Liothyronine for Underactive Thyroid "Hashimoto's patient. Take 88 mcg of Synthroid and took 5 mcg of Cytomel for almost a year. Felt better at first and then felt completely insane. Mood swings, anxiety, depression, rage, tachycardia, and hand tremors. Sketchy stuff that. If you feel crazy, cut the Cytomel before you get on or up your antidepressants."

• EMI...
• January 24, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "Liothyronine saved my life. I was put on levothyroxine and was on it for 3 years. In that time, I became very ill, gained 3 stone, and became housebound. I was drowning in my symptoms, depressed and suicidal. I came across T3 liothyronine in a support group. I started to take it and raised the dosage gradually. Within 6 months, I was back at work and recovering. I'm now back to normal, at a normal weight and living a normal life."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2016

Liothyronine for Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I've been on Synthroid, Levoxyl, or Levothyroxine for the past 11 years at a suppressive dose and did fine. When my endocrinologist took me off of TSH suppression by lowering my dose of T4, I was miserable. Within weeks, I was exhausted, cold all the time, had brain fog, was depressed, and needed additional sleep. When I told my endocrinologist, she continued to lower my dose (twice) because my TSH was suppressed. This caused me to be completely dysfunctional at work and at home. I was so exhausted and overwhelmed I feared losing my job and my husband (no libido for over 6 months) and low productivity at work. I begged my endocrinologist to add T3. The dose was too low at first to make a difference but after reestablishing with a new."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2020

For Underactive Thyroid "I was on NP when it was recalled the first time and swapped to Synthroid after going to the ER 3 times. Synthroid 50 and Cytomel (liothyronine) 5 mcg. At first, I thought it was just me, so I tried Cytomel twice with Synthroid (gave me head pressure) and once with Tirosint (in 3 months). On all 3 occasions that I took Cytomel, once I reached a 15 mcg+ dose for the week, it gave me side effects of being depressed, anxious, insomniac, palpitations, and even advanced me to menstruate a week early (all 3 times)! I want T3 so bad that I repeatedly tried to make it work. It’s just not for me."

• Sis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

For Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal "I just brought my sister to the ER because she wanted to kill herself. Ever since she started this drug a week ago, after her thyroid was removed, she has had tremors, headaches, sweats, vomiting, and severe depression. She lost all energy and could not sleep. She only took 2.5 mg. They admitted her to the psych floor and will keep her for a week. This is a powerful drug that needs close monitoring."