How long does Cytomel stay in your system?
Cytomel stays in your system for approximately 12.5 days following the last dose, but this does not mean has an effect for this length of time. This is just how long it takes for your body to eliminate it, and the likely time it could be detectable on a test, if one were available.
- The actual time Cytomel has an effect for is one day, which is why it is usually prescribed once a day, although in some instances, some patients may be prescribed it every other day.
How do you calculate how long a drug stays in your system for?
How long a drug stays in your body is calculated using the half-life of elimination of a drug. This is the time it takes for 50% of a drug to be removed from the body.
- The half-life of Cytomel is about 2.5 days .
- Experts agree that it takes up 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug without active metabolites to be completely removed from the body.
- For Cytomel, the calculation is 2.5 (half life) X 5 = 12.5 days.
If a drug has active metabolites (these are breakdown products of the drug that still have an effect in the body) then a drug will last for longer in the body.
- Cytomel does not have active metabolites and is excreted by the body mainly via the kidneys although a small portion is excreted in the feces.
What is Cytomel?
Cytomel contains liothyronine in sodium salt form (also called LT3), which is a man-made form of a naturally occurring hormone produced by our thyroid glands called liothyronine.
Cytomel may be used to increase levels of thyroid hormone in the body and treat thyroid deficiency disorders (hypothyroidism). It may also be given to help manage thyroid cancer in addition to surgery and radiotherapy, or to help diagnose conditions such as mild hyperthyroidism (high thyroid levels).
References
- Cytomel Prescribing Information. https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?format=PDF&id=703
Read next
Can I take Cytomel and Synthroid together?
Although the American Thyroid Association guidelines do not recommend taking Cytomel and Synthroid together, many people who are under the supervision of an internist/endocrinologist do take this combination treatment, prefer it, and have good results on it. Never take this combination without your doctor's advice because it may result in excessive levels of thyroid hormones which can be dangerous. Continue reading
How long does Cytomel take to start working?
It only takes 4 hours for 95% of a dose of Cytomel to be totally absorbed and Cytomel will start working within a few hours, but it will take 2 to 3 days of taking it daily to reach its maximal pharmacological effect.
Continue reading
Does Cytomel help with weight loss?
Although Cytomel does help with weight loss in people prescribed it for hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels), it is not effective at usual dosages at reducing weight in people with normal thyroid levels. Using high dosages of Cytomel to reduce weight in people with normal thyroid levels is dangerous, not safe, and can be life-threatening. Strokes, seizures, shock, coma and death have been reported in people who have taken higher than recommended dosages of Cytomel. Continue reading
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- Cytomel Information for Consumers
- Cytomel prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Cytomel (detailed)
- Cytomel user reviews (52)
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