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).