How long does Cytomel stay in your system?
Cytomel stays in your system for up to 12.5 days following the last dose. Experts calculate this period using the half-life of a drug. A drug's half-life is the time it takes for 50% of that drug to be removed from the body. The half-life of Cytomel is about 2.5 days and experts agree that it takes up to 5 half-lives for a drug without active metabolites to be completely removed from the body. This calculates out to 12.5 days for Cytomel. 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 has no active metabolites and is excreted by the body mainly via the kidneys although a small portion is excreted in the feces.
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. Updated 06/2021. Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc https://www.drugs.com/pro/cytomel.html
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?
Cytomel starts working within a few hours, but its maximum effect can take two to three days to occur. It only takes 4 hours for 95% of a dose of Cytomel to be totally absorbed. If you are taking Cytomel daily, then after a few days it will work continuously, without any drop in effect, and you should notice a reduction in your symptoms of hypothyroidism within 2 to 3 days. 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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Drug information
- Cytomel Information for Consumers
- Cytomel prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Cytomel (detailed)
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