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Does Cytomel/T3 Help with Weight Loss?(1)
1. What is Cytomel/T3? Cytomel is the commonly associated brand name for the synthetic thyroid hormone Liothyronine Sodium. This is a perfect replica of the naturally produced thyroid hormone triiodothyronine, or what is commonly referred to as the T3 hormone. While synthetic Cytomel has been available since the 1950’s, thyroid hormones including T3 have been used medicinally since the 1890’s. Early thyroid treatment plans were simply pure animal extracts and contained pure forms of the T3 and T4 hormone. Extracted thyroid hormones proved very useful in therapeutic treatment plans, specifically in the treatment of hypothyroidism. This is a condition in which the thyroid simply no longer produces enough thyroid hormones, which can lead to weight gain, loss of energy, hair loss and changes in the appearance and texture of the skin. With the introduction of Cytomel, the synthetic model of the T3 hormone, this has provided a much safer and sanitary hormone for such treatments. Cytomel is not the only synthetic thyroid hormone available. The T4 hormone, Levothyroxine Sodium is also available found under the trade name Synthroid most commonly. Both T3 and T4 are very similar in nature; however, T3 is considered 4-5 times more powerful 1
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than T4. T4, in simple terms, acts as a reserve for T3, which makes the Cytomel version the more powerful of the two popular thyroid hormones. While both are effective in treating hypothyroidism, Cytomel is the preferred thyroid hormone among performance enhancement athletes. Anabolic steroid users commonly use Cytomel in an effort to lose body fat.
2. How Does Cytomel Work? The thyroid gland takes iodine and converts it into the thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3. Interestingly, every single cell in the human body depends upon the thyroid hormones T4 and T3 for regulation of their metabolism. Consequently, I hope you can see where cytomel supplementation can come into play for weight loss. T3 is about five times the strength of T4, but under normal conditions the thyroid gland produces only about 20% T3 and 80% T4. Like most hormones within the body, the thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland, and when it senses an inadequate level of thyroid 2
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hormones, it will secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid glands to increase T4 and T3 production. Keep in mind that the body is very sensitive to changes in caloric levels, so after following a reduced calorie diet for an extended period of time, the pituitary gland will decrease TSH levels, resulting in a decreased level of thyroid hormones in the body. This is part of the reason why most dieters hit a plateau in their diet, in spite of making no changes to their diet or training protocol.
3. Cytomel For Weight Loss When dieting for an extended period of time the body will decrease thyroid hormone production, since our bodies will be in survival mode. This is something completely logical because a low calorie intake meant to the prehistoric man that famine was approaching and the body would down regulate thyroid hormone production as a defense mechanism to starvation. Therefore, supplementing with cytomel when dieting will keep the body’s thyroid levels at the original level, so it will prevent the decrease caused by a lack of calorie intake. This is the conservative way to use cytomel. Furthermore, supplementing with cytomel at dosages beyond the body’s natural production will give the individual an even greater base line metabolic rate. As you can see, this is the more aggressive approach, but yet effective.
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