When to take Thyroid medicine?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
When to take Thyroid medicine?
5
Sun, 03-19-2006 - 7:03pm
Does it really make a difference when you take your
thyroid medicine? I am on Levothyroxine 100 mcg.
It says take 1 tablet every day on an empty stomach
1hr before or 2-3 hours after a meal. I was taking it in
the morning but sometimes I would forget,because I would want
to eat breakfast, so I would take it later, sometimes I would
remember right before bed. It would vary from day to day the time
I would take it. Does anyone know by doing that am I throwing my system
off, or no? Thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2004
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 8:22am

HI aonespy, welcome!


The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes...
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 10:12am

Hi:

My endocrinologists and GP say that it is important to take the medication on an empty stomach to maximize absorption. First thing in the morning, because you have been fasting, the stomach absorbs the first thing it comes in contact with quickly and efficiently, which is why it is recommended that you take it then. My doc says that eating food with fiber right away after taking the meds will interfere with absorbtion... as will certian vitamin nutrients such as calcium.

Also, it is best with all medication and vitamins that you set up a pattern that your body can regulate itself by. If you take the medication at the same time every day, you smooth out the process of regulation; your body comes to count on the hormone supply entering the system at that time of day and gets itself into balance better that way.

I think you will find that if you've been having symptoms, you might find an improvement if you start taking them first thing in the morning and waiting at least an hour before eating...

Good luck,
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 10:45am
I have been on the meds since 1998 and I have taken it in the mornings before I eat but I will have a cup of coffee. Is that it okay?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 12:18pm
I drink just water and wait half hour to 45 minutes before i eat but that is cause i have so much trouble with my levels.Are your levels ok? if they are then i would say yes
axsai

Axsai

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 2:17pm
I guess I will start my routine in the morning, I have been taking other
medicine sometimes with my thyroid, one a day weight smart would be
taken like 2-5 hours after the thyroid medicine, sometimes i would
take garlic pill, or kelp pill, Im thinking now i better just take the thyroid
and nothing else. I think if i remember right, I was losing weight that way, but since
I was doing it with other meds, It messed it up. I started this morning
with the thyroid first thing. So we will see how it goes. Thanks for
the information.