Cytomel is a prescription thyroid hormone medication used to treat patients with hypothyroidism, or low levels of thyroid hormone. This medication is a synthetic, or man-made, form of liothyronine, a thyroid hormone that occurs naturally within your body. Cytomel is typically administered via a tablet once daily or as prescribed by your doctor. Discuss Cytomel medication side effects with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin treatment with this medication.
Hair Loss
Certain patients--particularly children--can experience temporary hair loss as a side effect of Cytomel treatment, warns Drugs.com, an informational, peer-reviewed drug product website for consumers. The hair on your scalp can begin to fall out, which may cause small bald patches to develop across your head. You may also notice that your eyebrows or eye lashes appear unusually thin or sparse. These side effects typically subside after the first month of treatment or once your body has become accustomed to higher levels of thyroid hormone.
Skin Rash
While receiving treatment with Cytomel, you can develop unusual skin-related side effects, health officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn. You may notice the appearance of red, dry or itchy patches of skin across your body; the patches can also become irritated or inflamed. Skin rash side effects are rare and typically subside with recurrent use of this medication.
Stomach Upset
Cytomel can cause stomach-related side effects. These effects can include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, explain health officials at Medline Plus, a medical information website provided as a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. You can experience abdominal pain, bloating or cramping, which can be uncomfortable and may affect your normal appetite. Certain patients may also experience significant, unintended weight loss while taking Cytomel.
Mood Changes
Patients who use Cytomel can see abnormal mood changes as a side effect of treatment. You may feel unusually restless, nervous or irritable, which may have an impact on your personal, social and intimate relationships. Increased nervousness or anxiety can cause you to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. If you experience sleeping difficulties, you may develop frequent daytime fatigue, which can further exacerbate mood-related side effects.
Heat Sensitivity or Excessive Sweating
You can develop increased sensitivity to heat as a side effect of Cytomel treatment. If this occurs, you may begin to sweat excessively throughout the day. Night sweats can cause you to wake frequently during the night and can worsen fatigue symptoms. Certain patients can develop a fever while taking Cytomel, which can contribute to sweating and headaches.
Menstrual Cycle Changes
Women who take Cytomel can develop usual menstrual cycle changes as a side effect of treatment, Medline Plus explains. If you are a woman, your menstrual cycle may become irregular or lighter or heavier than usual. As you continue to use this medication, menstrual changes typically diminish.
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