Cytomel (T3)

Posted in: ANCILLARY DRUGS

Liothyronine Sodium (AKA Cytomel, T3, Tertroxin, Tiromel, Thyroid hormone)

Chemical Name			sodium (S)-2-amino-3-[4-(4-hydroxy-3-iodophenoxy)-3,5-diiodophenyl]propanoate
Molecular Weight			672.96 g/mol
Formula			C15H11I3NNaO4
Original Manufacturer			ICI
Half Life			2.5 days
Detection Time			Cannot be detected via urinalysis
Anabolic Rating			N/A
Androgenic Rating			N/A

Overview and History of Cytomel (T3)

Cytomel is the brand and trade name for T3, which is Liothyronine sodium.

Liothyronine sodium is a synthetic variant of the body's own thyroid hormone.

The body's natural endogenous thyroid hormone is actually known as triiodothyronine, which is different from liothyronine sodium.

Liothyronine is the L-isomer of triiodothyronine.

Although liothyronine and triiodothyronine are nearly identical to each other, liothyronine is the more potent variant and is better absorbed orally, which is why it has been developed into prescription drugs and preparations known as Cytomel, Tyromel, Tetroxin, and others.

In medical and clinical settings, Cytomel (T3) is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to secrete adequate levels of thyroid hormone for proper functioning.

In these cases, hypothyroidism is typically diagnosed through a blood test that analyzes the serum hormone profile of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH, the thyroid stimulating hormone).

Hypothyroidism is accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including lack of energy, lethargy, weight and fat gain, hair loss, and changes in skin color and texture. T3 is the main thyroid hormone used by the body.

Unfortunately, T3 is one of those compounds that has had a lot of mysticism, rumors, and lies spread over the years in the bodybuilding and athletic community regarding its function, uses, and how to use it.

As a result, many in the anabolic steroid-using community have developed a fear of T3 and shudder at the mere mention of its use.

This profile will correct these misconceptions and clarify common misconceptions about cytomel.

T3 was originally manufactured as a pharmaceutical via an extract from the thyroid gland.

It started out the same way many hormonal medicines do: from endocrine glands extracted from animal and human cadavers.

The first use of thyroid extract was in 1981, when it was given to a patient suffering from myxedema, a skin condition caused by hypothyroidism [1].

Thyroid hormones were some of the first hormonal medicines used in the field of endocrinology and in the treatment of several disorders and diseases.

The first thyroid extracts contained T3 as well as T4, and these extracts were utilized in medicine for more than 60 years. In the 1950s, methods were developed to make thyroid hormones synthetically, and the thyroid extracts previously used became obsolete.

Today, the two most commonly used synthetic thyroid hormones are sodium liothyronine (T3) and sodium levothyroxine (T4), and they are widely used in the United States and around the world.

In the United States in particular, Cytomel is the most widely used and best known brand name for T3.

Like many other bodybuilding supplements, T3 is widely available in most countries around the world with little or no laws governing its sale, distribution, purchase, or use.

It is manufactured by dozens of pharmaceutical companies around the world under a variety of brands and trade names, and there are also a number of generic T3 products available.

Because of the vast availability and manufacturing of this product, it is not uncommon for the dosage of T3 in different products to vary widely.

For example, T3 is commonly available in concentrations ranging from 5 mcg, 25 mcg, and up to 50 mcg tablets.

Chemical Properties of Cytomel (T3)

T3 (liothyronine sodium) is a synthetic variant of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine.

Properties of Cytomel (T3)

T3 in the body is responsible for regulating the uptake of various nutrients into cells and their mitochondria so that they can be effectively utilized for energy production and consumption [2] [3].

The mitochondria of every cell in your body utilize carbohydrates (primarily), fats, and even proteins to produce an energy source called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Taking more T3 increases ATP production, which in turn increases energy expenditure in the form of fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

Therefore, taking too much T3 without using anabolic steroids can cause muscle loss.

The bodybuilding and athletic community has been attracted to the use of T3 as a physique and/or performance enhancing drug because of its ability to significantly boost the body's metabolism to metabolize body fat at a faster rate.

While T3 is traditionally utilized during cutting, dieting, and/or pre-contest training phases, as breaking down body fat is a common goal during these phases, it has also recently gained popularity as a useful agent during bulking and mass gain training phases (typically in conjunction with anabolic steroids) in order to process nutrients more efficiently and/or lower body fat levels during periods of high caloric intake.

Cytomel (T3) is commonly used in conjunction with anabolic steroids because it has a large overall effect on the body's metabolism.

It is very important to understand that T3 has indiscriminate anabolic properties, increasing the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins all equally.

Therefore, exceeding certain doses of T3 will increase the turnover of protein, which increases the risk of muscle loss.

Due to the nitrogen retention and protein sparing properties of anabolic steroids, the way to prevent this T3-induced muscle loss is through the use of anabolic steroids and a properly controlled diet.

Additionally, because T3 works synergistically with other fat loss agents, it is often stacked with other fat loss agents to increase its overall effectiveness.

These include ephedrine, clenbuterol, albuterol, human growth hormone (HGH), and other fat burners.

The combination of T3 with anabolic steroids and other fat burners, as well as possible interactions between them, will be covered in more detail in the Cytomel (T3) Dosage and Cytomel (T3) Cycle sections of this profile.