The shorter half-life of liothyronine permits a withdrawal period of two weeks, which may minimize hypothyroidism symptoms. One protocol is to discontinue levothyroxine, then prescribe liothyronine while the T4 levels are falling, and finally stop the liothyronine two weeks before the radioactive iodine treatment.Liothyronine may also be used for myxedema coma because of its quicker onset of action when compared to levothyroxine. Use for the treatment of obesity is not recommended. Depression
Adding liothyronine to tricyclic antidepressants appears useful, especially in women. An algorithm developed from the STAR*D trial recommends liothyronine as an option when people have failed two antidepressant medications. Pregnancy
Per the U.S. FDA, liothyronine is categorized as Pregnancy Category A. Thyroid hormone is minimally transferred to the fetus or placenta, however as of October 2014, studies have not shown any adverse effects to the fetus. Hypothyroid mothers should continue to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy throughout pregnancy to avoid adverse events. Nursing
Breastmilk contains a low amount of thyroid hormone, so it is important to exercise caution when breastfeeding while taking liothyronine. Elderly
Older people should be started on lower doses of liothyronine. Plasma T3 concentrations in this population are decreased by 25% to 40%. TSH must be routinely monitored since there is a risk of coronary artery disease, hyperthyroidism and excessive bone loss from inadequate or abnormal thyroid replacement. Contraindications
Any person with a hypersensitivity to liothyronine sodium or any active ingredient of the formulation should not be on this medication. If there is uncorrected adrenal insufficiency or thyrotoxicosis, a different approach to therapy must be considered.
The doctor may order any or all of the following tests to ascertain if a person has IBM2:

Blood test for serum Creatine Kinase (CK or CPK);
Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) / Electomyography (EMG);
Muscle Biopsy;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computer Tomography (CT) Scan to determine true sparing of quadriceps;
Blood Test or Buccal swab for genetic testing;

Classification
Types of hereditary inclusion body myopathy:

IBM2 is the most common form, and is an autosomal recessive form, caused by mutations in the GNE gene; this form mainly affects leg muscles, but with an unusual distribution that spares the quadriceps. The incidence of this form is about 10 per million per year. There are two forms: a quadriceps sparing myopathy (autosomal recessive form of inclusion body myopathy) and Nonaka type distal myopathy (distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles). While occurring worldside it is most common in Jews of Persian origin. The GNE gene ecodes the rate-limiting, bifunctional enzyme of sialic acid biosynthesis, uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase. Disease occurs when both copies in the genome are non functional. The pathophysiology is still unclear. Cardiac involvement may occur. IBM3 is a sometimes autosomal dominant and sometimes autosomal recessive form caused by mutations in MYHC2A;  it is relatively mild muscle disorder.