What if Your Synthroid Doesn't Work?

Some people also seem to need supplemental T3, the active form of thyroid hormone, to feel well. While controversial, some studies have shown that patients have improvement in overall symptoms when they add T3 to their treatment. And anecdotally, many patients favor T4+T3 therapy, versus T4 alone. If you are taking Synthroid or another levothyroxine drug, you can ask your doctor about adding Cytomel (the brand name synthetic T3 drug) to your treatment. Other practitioners add compounded, time-released T3, switch patients to Thyrolar (a synthetic T4+T3 drug) or even shift patients to Armour Thyroid, a natural desiccated thyroid drug.