When do you take your thyroid medication? - Thyroid UK
When do you take your thyroid medication?
I started last year - and have always taken it at bed-time.
Only exception is when I have a blood test due - for which I try to go at 08:00 and take my thyroxine straight after.
One of the first improvements I noticed from thyroxine was improved sleep and feeling more refreshed in the morning.
Have been taking my Thyroxin at nights for a month now and am still have busy dreams but feel a lot saner during the day!
Ditto to this.
I have just started to take my Thyroxine at night but at a reduced strength (Doctor's orders) and have had vivid dreams and restless nights. Night sweats seem to be abating though, but will comment again in another month.
I've got hashimoto's, diagnosed about 11 years ago. I have had night sweats every night for about 2 years. Exhausted most days, but TSH apparently just over 'normal'. I'll be interested to see if the time of day make a difference to your night sweats DianeG - looking forward to one night of unbroken sleep if I can ever sort this out...
I tried taking it at night but did not find a difference and also it interfered with supper and a drink
I'm taking ERFA and doctor insisted on taking it first thing in the morning.
I'm taking ERFA and have got better results from taking it in four doses spread through the day.
A healthy person produces T4 that is converted into T3 and presumably at a steady rate rather than all at once. So I reckon if we are taking T3, it needs to be a regulated dose, hence taking four doses instead of one.
I cannot take my present dosage all at once without feeling hyper. And although I take the last dose before I go to bed, it doesn't keep me awake, and as a bonus, I don't feel half as bad first thing in the morning.
I take my T3 (10mcg) at 8am,12.30pm and 5.30pm and my LevoT (T4-50mcg) at bedtime. Before I was put on the T3/T4 combo, I used to take my 100mcg T4 at bedtime instead of first thing in the morning after reading helvella's recommendation and that made me feel better.
Hi, just wondering how your combined prescription of t4/t3 came about - was it something you asked your doctor for? Mine have only offered Levothyroxine (T4) and there has been no mention of t3 or combination. I dont feel right on just T4 and have been taking it at least 6 months so just wondered what your experience has been as I would like to approach my doctor regarding t3. What id the t3 med called?
Kind regards
Amanda
I used this site to research my condition as much as possible so that when I went to see my endo (an appointment that I had to wait almost 8 months for!) I probably knew as much as he did, and I managed to convince him that T4 alone wasn't making me feel any better in myself (plus the fact that my TSH was regularly coming back at over a reading of 4.5) and pursuaded him to let me give the T3/T4 combo a try. I am due to go back for the follow up appointment at the end of this month and hope that he will continue to let me carry on with this regime. The T3 I take is the Goldshield Liothyronine and, although I started on the plan detailed above, I have now learned to play with the timing and dosage to find the optimum treatment for me and I can honestly say that I am getting very close to feeling 'normal' as I remember it! I am even beginning to lose the weight, which is fantastic because it has such a knock-on effect for other complications which were beginning to set in like the asthma which has eased considerably. Initially I had to ask my GP to refer me to the endo, which I did by convincing her that the T4 was not doing the job and I just wanted to be given the chance to try the T3/T4, which she was honest enough to admit she'd never heard of...
I agree Amanda. I have only been offered Levothyroxine (as I have been told by my GP there is nothing else), despite all my problems. It's all a bit confusing.
ValSue, there IS something else. Armour Thyroid is a natural thyroid replacement prescription and it contains T4 and T3. I had to fight like you wouldn't believe to get a Dr. to prescribe it to me in the States (I'm American). I was on it and it changed my life. When I moved to the UK, the Dr.'s wanted to put me on Levothyroxine only and I had to fight all over again to finally get a Dr. to prescribe me the Armour Thyroid again. Finally he has and I'm getting back to normal. It was worth the fight. Do some research, check out some forums. I feel so passionately about this because it changed my life. If you would like more information from me, feel free to contact me on here or at debitopia@gmail.com 
Hi like ValSue i too have only ever been offered t4 and have taken it for 3 years, i suffer from chronic fatigue (this only came on after the diagnosis ) my doctor misread the symptoms and my levels reached 89 (should be between 3 and 5) does this med help with chronic fatigue ??
I tried to do this and failed! How do you persuade a doctor that levo is not the only solution? My doc also has an underactive thyroid and levo 'works just fine for him' so apparently it must also work just fine for me!
same here Wbowles my new lady doctor is Hypothyroid like myself and she takes Levo also and it works for her too. when are they ever going to realize that what works for one does not always work for another. It's almost like going to a garage and asking for a part for your Mercedes and they turn around and say only we only have that part for a Ford whatever, and you say oh ok that will do instead. Wish so much that we could at least be given something to help us ie T3 or NDT. I will never give up trying.
i hope the offer is still on to contact you, as i am in a similar situation with trying to get NDT, sky... i'll give it a go thanks
Hello MonkeyLicious,
Where do you get your Armour from?
Thanks & regards
Katelou
Amanda, I had the same experience and T3 changed my life! I have had to fight and insist to get Armour Thyroid (as opposed to Synthroid) and one of the reasons I did was because I felt so much better on Armour. I was taking just Levothyroxine and I just didn't feel "right". Not only is Armour natural (dessicated pig thyroid), but it contains T3. Your own thyroid makes T3 and while some doctors say you "don't need it", I say that if my body made it, we should probably try to replace it now that my thyroid is gone and has no other way of producing it. I felt horrible on Levothyroxine (synthetic T4). Maybe you could try the Armour Thyroid or at least ask for a supplemental T3. If they say no and you really feel it might work for you, insist that they prescribe it or find a different Dr. It IS your body after all and YOU are the one that has to live in it on a daily basis.
I totally agree, my body couldn't tolerate the synthetic thyroid meds. It took me a year but in the end my endo wrote out the prescription. Im afraid you have to be assertive. Its not for everyone but ive now been on Armour for 10 yrs.
The trouble with some drs is they think we are all text book cases, and just like our DNA we are all unique. I had to see two endo's as one was a patronising old fart. I actually told him this too, i hate bullies in any way shape or form, and im afraid some of the white coat brigade are darn right disrespectful. Good luckx
Hi, Amanda,
I am on 75mcg levo plus 10mcg T3 (liothyronine, the synthetic version of the natural hormone triodothyronine) This was recommended by Dr Toft to my endo in 2005, with good results.
You can buy Dr Toft's book "Understanding Thyroid Disorders" by Dr Anthony Toft at chemists/Amazon in which he deals with adding T3/subtracting T4. Page 46 in my edition.
I used to take it a night but then found I couldn't sleep at all, and then was sleepy all day.
My sleep pattern is pants as I "suffer" with hot flushes, hot and cold sweats, hypo fainty spells, palpitations... but I answered the poll that I take thyroxine immediately on waking because that's when I've been told to take it. My answer should have been that I take it when I remember, but that wasn't an option in the poll and some days I forget altogether.
Hi, interesting you say you forget so do I. I Have even forgotten to pick up prescription as so busy that chemist closed by time I get home,, I'm on 175 levothyroxine anyway my point I'm trying to make is, I've gone (longest). 5 days without taking it, had a blood test came back normal and carry on with dosage, how long wld it be before showing yr levels are not right? I do remember most of the time. x
I was the same until I was given Lisinopril as I found out I had an Arrhythmia. I dont seem to get the flushes or palpitations now
I have taken my T3 100% at bedtime (as I turn off my light to sleep) and have done so for 2 months. I get a full night's sleep after years of middle-of-the-night insomnia.
Before, when I multidosed,T3, I had horrible side effects including weakness, palpitations, horrible drenching sweats and many other miserable side effects.
I take mine with water in the morning and about half to an hour later, have a hot drink and some breakfast.
This seems to work for me at the moment!!!
When I took them & had my breakfast right afer, I found I had palpitations & panic attacks. I got this tip from this site.
Levo made me keep awake till I started taking it as I got into bed. Now I actually get some sleep.
Because I take supplements in the morning - I have decided to take my Thyroxine in the early hours of the morning when I get up to go to the loo. That should then avoid any conflict with eating or contents of mins & vits - hopefully the absorption will then be better as I don't think that it has been 100% recently
I was taking it at 8 in the morning but because i love my breakfast so much and dont want to wait for it I now take it when i wake to go to the toilet,usually between 2 and 3 am.Works fine for me.
I was not given any advice in best timIngs to take the meds. I'm currently on 50mg thyroxine. Get v hot at nights and poor sleep. I take my dose first thng in the morning - is it better taking it at night or would that make you more hyper?
Thanks for your help
I take T3-only and I take it through the night as I wake up every 4 hours... without it I can't get back to sleep! Then I take another 2 doses though the morning.
At first I took it during the day, but I didn't feel well until I started taking it during the night instead.
Interestingly, I checked today what the circadian rythm is for T3 and it starts to rise at 10pm, reaching a peak at 4am, then declining again to reach its lowest levels at 3pm. I think I've ended up naturally taking it to match the circadian rythm, just through trial and error!
Zoë
I take my NDT and t3 first thing but in another week will be splitting the t3 into two doses, a.m. and p.m.. I've tried taking my NDT at different times and it makes no difference to me.
Hi to all of you out their! I started taking Armour thyroid two years ago it is actually called 'Cinetic' and starts at 75mgs. Of course being in Italy I have to buy it myself because the health system won't pass it. Tried to find out from the Lab some news about 'Cinetic' they were totally un-helpful..when you talk about grains... I don't understand?Started on one tablet each morning and one in the afternoon about 16.00 hours....now take two in the morning and still one in the afternoon....not at all sure about what I am about , trying to eliminate all the symptoms, feel much better..but do wish I could have more details about how to take it and up it when necessary....will send my latest blood test results...think the TSH is very low...my Doctor was telling me this and when I spoke about 'Armour' he changed his tune and did not want to know. He's a great Doctor and we get on well...so for the moment I am not saying any more to him...will try to get the translation in Italien for the THS ect....but by his face I think he has already been warned not to 'support' anyone taking Armour...will get back on the attack but not today ..too tired, to hot.boiling heat and in spite of 'Armour' some mental fog!Thyroidpest.
Dear Thyroid Pest, Not being a medical person, but I've read a little about Armour but I'm not sure about the italian type .. If you haven't already done so you might have a look at stopthethyroidmadness.com she has a section on different types of Armour and when they have found best to take etc.. Might help you a bit.. All the best perks
Dear thyroidpest reading through old mails I came to yours . You say you live in Italy. Well so do I with a doc here believing in only Eutirox . Can you get in touch with me as I didn't know there was an 'armour' substitute here..thanks
I take mine half an hour before I eat my breakfast as I have read this advice in a couple of places.
I take mine at night when I go to bed, I sleep well and I find it stops me snacking at night which has helped me lose a few pounds
i used to take my T4 & T3 after my breakfast but i now take it half to one hour before my breakfast with all my other meds (HRT & a tummy med)i found it better for me.
Because of lactose intolerance I use soya which interferes with the absorption of thyroxine, so I take at night. Don't know if it interferes with sleep or flushes, My sleep patterns vary though of late it's been really good and I flush all the time anyway, night and day.
I take them at night as I like my breakfast when I wake and I chew them , not had any bad effects taking them like this ...............
I take my Armour thyroid straight away on waking. I let it disolve under my tongue and don't eat anything for an hour
I take my levothyroxine immediately on waking before drinking/eating anything.
I take my Levothyroxine at 7 am every day. If I had to take it at night I would forget it.
Hi all, I've just joined this site for some extra help, i've just started taking my thyroxin before bed to see if it makes any difference in how I feel, I used to have it in the morning but was taking them then eating my cereal which I've now read u need to leave half an hour before food, so lets see if it makes a difference!!
I Take 2x 100 mg as soon as go down stairs in the morning as I can not take them later in the day due to my thyroid gland not functioning at all ( Since Birth 1959 )
Hello, I'm new to the site and hypothyroidism. Am on day five of Levothyroxine and have been taking it as soon as I wake up then leaving an hour before breakfast.
Having read all the other comments on here however I'm going to start taking it earlier as I always wake up briefly several times during the night so in future will take it any time after 3.00 am. That way I can have breakfast immediately rather than clockwatching - 60 minutes can seem a very long time!
You might find like I did that it could suit you to try taking it at night as some of the research say's it's better absorbed during the night.. And yes 60 mins is a LONG time when your breckie is waiting he he !!!!
I also do this and have found it a lot better, I then take my other meds( blood pressure etc) when I get later in the morning, I have also managed to lose 1/2 stone since Xmas by trying to have a low fat diet. I still get some aches and pains during the day but I try to only take pain killers when its really bad.I still get the odd night where I spend ages trying to get to sleep but others I sleep soundly. Hopefully this will improve with time.
I take 120mcg T3 4 x per day. 8am, 12.30pm, 5pm and lights out. When I feel I need a little extra after gardening or much exertion, I tend to take an extra 5-10mcg (depending how low my temps have dropped).
I take mine,first thing in the morning ,probably 15 mins,after i get up and on an empty stomach,started on levothyroxine,end of january150mg.daily.
I am just starting to take them last thing at night to see if this makes a difference as i was having them in the morning but i was having my brekkie at the same time which was wrong to do so fingers crossed this is better for me!
Raider75
I changed over to taking thyroxine last thing at night about six weeks ago and slowly started to feel much more active in the mornings. I had blood tests 2 weeks ago taken at 9:30 a.m.and had TSH of 1.21 and T4 of 17.
Logically, taking the thyroxine at midnight would be a good thing to do if you wanted hormone levels to peak during the morning. I told my Doctor and she didn't make any comment despite having stated that the tablets should be taken in the morning.
I feel mutch better and may even be losing some weight now that I have the energy to take a brisk walk late mornings.
I take Armour thyroid; 2 grains first thing (an hour before food) and 1 grain usually an hour before dinner in the evening, if not at least an hour after. Because it is only part of my daily dose I do not find it affects my sleep. I may actually try and split it out to 3 doses and see if that helps my afternoon lull.
I take thyroxine in four split doses - on waking, afternoon, evening, bed time. If I take it all at once I feel overdosed (gives me sinus migraines) then hours later feel underdosed (cold, groggy). I can't take T3 as I feel it too strongly!
hey there! i understand that this is an older post, but curious if you still split these T4 doses...
I take 100mg, placed on bedside table the night before, at 6.20am when my alarm goes off. This way, it doesn't matter how sleepy I am, I can still manage it. Then, about 40 mins later I sit down to breakfast and take meds for other issues.
Can't vote, 1 year since being found intolerant to levothyroxine and I'm still waiting to be prescribed a replacement
Just read this and as it was last year, have you been given a replacement yet?
evening
I've started taking mines in the evening after reading a post on about.com written about a fortnight ago, saying research shows Free T3/T4 levels go higher if it's taken this way.
i have been on thyroxine for twenty three years, i was diagognosed with hypothyroidism, hashimotos, goiter and then at thirty i got thyroid cancer so had a complete thyroidectomy, ive never had a problem with taking other medications , vitamins or eating and drinking even taking the thyroxine at the same time and have never been advised differantly. i do however tend to take my tablets of an evening as i have a tendency to forget them.
im on 300 at the moment and after reading the comment have decided to take them before bed on a night my ths was 25 ..then 5 ..then back up to 11 i didnt know they couldnt be taken with food and take them with or after brekky ?
Did changing the time you took your tablets work for you? And what is your current doseage?
the doctor said to take 325 now ? but il try the evening thing first ?
have always taken it in the morning before breakfast BNF guidelines say this is preferable. now wondering if my symptoms would subside if i take at night (200mcg)
Helvella/Rod recently linked a paper that suggests that the body elevates TSH to very significantly increaseT4 and T3 (especially T3) levels overnight.
Which leads to the thought that having enough hormone available overnight may play a play a significant part in rest and recuperation.
I've switched from taking my hormone in the morning to taking the 150mcg T4 and 20mcg T3 at night - the T4 and 10mcg of the T3 about an hour before eating in the evening, and the remaining 10mcg of T3 before bed.
So far so very good. It's only been a few days, but it was taking me all morning to get going before. I seem to be waking up now....
Thanks Rod
ian
Hi, To all of you taking your Levothyroxine at night. Are you still taking it on an empty stomach? Thanks MC
Yes, for best absorption you need to leave a couple of hours after eating. You might find it helpful to read this blog which has many comments. thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...
I find I am more likely to remember to take it if I take it just before I got to sleep at night. Plus I get reminded by my hubby to take it every night as otherwise I would forget. I was once told that it is best to take it in the morning and to store it in the fridge.
I take mine on waking and it seems to have made a big difference.
i am currently taking 75mcg of levothyroxine in the morning before breakfast but dont think i actually leave it the whole hour before eating, after reading these comments i am going to try taking at night, cant feel any worse than i feel now so here goes!....
For 4 years I took my thyroxine in the morning and after reading on healthunlocked about taking at different times I decided to try a nighttime dose. I then had to get up 4 or 5 times a night to pee, so went back to taking the meds when I got up. I now run to the loo 4 or 5 times up til 3pm ish. Really don.t know why this is but would love to stop running....
Frequent night time urination happens for me (and many others) when I have insufficient thyroid hormone. So if you aren't on the appropriate dose of medication, this could be worth looking into. It's not too clear from what you say here whether going back to taking thyroid med in the morning has improved, worsened or not affected your night peeing
Hi taking my meds in the morning has definately helped my nighttime peeing. Sometimes I only get up once and sometimes not at all.
Hi joanna, i also get up a few times in the night to use the loo, but did anyway when i was taking them in the morning so nothing changed in that department!! Did you feel any better tho taking the meds at night? the pro's are definately outweighing the cons for me!
Hi Stevie I can't say that I did feel any better, because I was up so much during the night I was very tired during the day, so no pros for me.
Jo xx
I wasn't advised how to take my Levo but started taking it in the morning usually about 30mins before eating (took other meds as well) and I used to be sleepy in the morning, more active late afternoon and wide awake at night with frequent visits to the loo, plus occasional bouts of insomnia.
Started taking my Levo last thing at night - immediately felt better because I sleep more at night (insomnia cut by about 90%) only waking up once at about 2.00am, more active in the morning but best part is I don't feel tired until evening and I'm then ready for bed.
I think it's down to how individual people process the levo and their body's response time - we're all different and you have to find what works best for you.
I take mine at 9pm, along with all my other medications - Sertraline, Pramipexol and pain killers
I take my T4 and my first 5mcg of T3 first thing, before I get out of bed. I then take another 5mcg of T3 again, 3 more times during the day.
Sx
I take 75mg of Levo about 6am when I get up with a large glass of water. I then don't have anything to eat or drink for about 1 hour, by which point I'm starving!!! When I was first diagnosed 9 months go I did loads of research into the whole hypo-thyroid thing as I knew nobody with it. I've found if I eat or drink anything within that hour I get headaches. I have been taking Premarin (HRT) for 15 years & I take that at 6pm as after trying various times for that it works best for me. I also found out that HRT can affect the take up of Levo as well but have not had that confirmed so if anyone can let me know that would be good.
I still get night sweats occasionally which are not HRT related but they come & go. Switched to decaff coffee & also stopped consumption of soya products before noon (have to have these as I'm lactose intolerant as well).
How's that for a long first post
I only found out about HRT inhibiting the uptake of Levothyroxine recently and, as I've stated in several other posts today, tried stopping the HRT for a while and taking Levo at bed time. The transformation has been remarkable to say the least. I realised I was getting night sweats and hot flushes again so spoke to a Boots pharmacist who confirmed that HRT does inhibit the uptake of Levo, said I should resume taking the HRT but recommended that I take is 8 to 12 hours apart from Levo.
I've also been put on a lactose free diet and have discovered that Arla do a good range of lacto free milk products including 'full fat' milk, cream and cheese. The cheese is rather rubbery and tasteless but the milk is fine.
I started taking my Levothyroxine at bed time rather than in the morning a couple of weeks ago and came out of a very dark depression within a couple of days. All my family, friends and customers have commented on the amazing difference in how I look, talk and move. Some of them have even said, 'Welcome back!'
Hello, i am a little confused about the T3 replacement. i had my thyroid removed three months ago (due to Grave's) and have been on 125mg of T4 (taken in the morning). i have not been feeling well at all (low energy/ brain fog etc etc) and my doctor has prescribed me T3 (1 x 20m tablet per day) to take on top of my T4. He said to take it in the morning then changed his mind to say i should take it at lunchtime. Does work straight away? Does it only stay in your system for a few hours after you take it? Is that why people are taking it throughout the day? Any help much appreciated!!
Hi Han_ru, and Welcome!
This is not the best place to post your question, which is probably why no-one has answered you yet.
Everyone has their own preferred time to take their medication, so you might get several different opinions. Some people prefer to split the T3 dose into two or more doses during the day. For example, you could consider taking 10mcg in the morning and 10mcg in the afternoon.
If you click this link thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...
and post your question again there, it will be seen by many more people
Thank you RedApple - I'm new to using this kind of thing! x
I usually take mine after ive brushed my teeth now, that way its easier not to forget it, but does anyone else find (this is going to sound really wierd) that if you happen to forget for a day or even two that its much harder to remember it at all?? I have gone for a week or more before without it and felt really awful but simply "forgot" to take it and the more i forgot ..well.the more i forgot!!
I am on three grains of Nature throid daily spread throughout the day if I started taking my meds at night would I be taking the whole three? and then nothing during the day?
I take my levo first thing in the morning, and then take my other meds an hour or so later.
I'm on 100mcg Levothyroxine and have been taking it in the morning for the last few years. Had no idea there were any alternatives. Does anyone else suffer from indigestion after taking it? Maybe, I will try taking it at night. Since being put on steroids for my recently diagnosed Thryoid Eye Disease, I have had terrible hot flashes, cold flashes and hot flushes at night. My sleep has been chronically disrupted but I dont know what is causing these new symptoms, whether it is the steroids or the fact that I am menopause age and perhaps it is a cooincidence that these new symptoms have happened all at once!
This poll isn't as useful as it could be because it doesn't specify levothyroxine - which is what I suppose it's referring to?
The thing is, you wouldn't take T3 at night usually.
I take my levo at night and T3 in the morning. I didn't vote in the poll but would if it stated it meant T4 exclusively.
I believe I read somewhere that thyroxine should be taken half an hour before eating on an empty stomach.
This is the general advice thrown out by most medics and on some PILs, but lots of people are finding benefit from taking it at bedtime instead.
There was a study done on this recently, with the following conclusion:
Conclusion:
Ingestion of levothyroxine at bedtime resulted in better absorption than ingestion 30 minutes before breakfast.
More info here:
I take my Levothroxine first thing in the morning half an hour before my breakfast, the trouble is no matter how much water I drink before and after taking them 50per cent of the tablets get stuck in my throat!!! than I wonder if they might damage my throat or if the meds will work properly.
Hi Trish why don't you let the levo melt under your tongue. They are tasteless.
Jo xx
After reading comments here I have started take my tablet just before going to bed and feel a lot better and it doesn't stick in my throat, thank you for taking your time to answer x
How strange! I wonder how can pills get stuck in throat. Do you have a normal throat? no goiter? You can still do sublingual.
at the moment i am on 100 micros of thyroxine but mine dont have a name it just says on the box levothyroxine but i used to take mine first thing in the morning then i switched to mid morning but now i might change it to night time and see hopw i go
when on just T4 I took it in the morning as per doctor instructions. But reading that T4 is best taken at night, I then after a few years started taking it at night and I felt a difference in that I did not have any anxious feelings during the day as i did when taking it in the morning. Now I am on T3 so that is spread during the day.
I read lots about when to take it and also my pharmacist told me how to. Take it first thing in the morning and do not eat for an hour after taking it.
I just started yesterday on levo, am newly diagnosed so only on 50mcg for now due to be reviewed in 6 weeks time...have decided to try taking it at bedtime (2 hours+ after any food).
Reason why I take calcium and iron supplements during the day and often eat porridge made with soya milk for breakfast (I don't like it made with normal milk, it's not an intolerance thing) and was reading that it is best to avoid if possible foods containing soya in the 4 hours near your levothyroxine. I never have soya in my dinner or maybe if I do it will be once every 3 months LOL
Also calcium supplements need to be taken 4 hours away from the levo and iron supplements 2 hours away from the calcium (gosh!), I have to take these supplements for the rest of my life as I had a gastric bypass operation 5 years ago and without them I would end up severely deficient as I don't absorb these things from food hardly at all.
Yes, so my day is 'kinda' busy with levo/calcium supplements x 2 to be taken separately/iron tablets x2 to be taken separately, just all that takes a minimum of 9 hours for me to ingest as: calcium, leave 2 hours then iron, leave one hour, then another iron, leave 2 hours, another calcium, leave 4 hours and levothyroxine= 9 hours!!! allow some delay here and there as I do get busy at work or 'forget' at times and yes, often it ends up being 12 or 16 hours LOL LOL
So to me it seems better for my 'person' to go for the bedtime routine for better absorption overall in the long term. Of course at the end it will all down to the 'comfort test' ie: will my body like it in the evening? I shall find out of course, I am new to this 'game' 
Whilst there is the "in gut" aspect of soya, there is also a raft of systemic effects that impact regardless of when you consume them relative to thyroid hormone. However, this is a very difficult area as the research is not clear. There are, in my view, likely to be positives as well as negatives.
Rod
Thanks Rod
Overall my intake of soya is just 250ml of soya milk 4 to 5 times a week
Rod - I am allergic to dairy products so soya is a good substitute, it is also totally clean of saturated fats. I thought I was doing the best for my health.
Unfortunately, soya is also a thyroid destroyer.
Saturated fats are also not the baddies they are made out to be - it's TRANS fats which are the baddies, which you find in a lot of processed food.
Is your allergy to the lactose or something else?
Many people who are lactose intolerant can drink unpasteurised milk, which terrifies some people I admit but Hook and Son supply Selfridges and so far no-one has died! They are meticulous about cleanliness and hygiene. Their milk contains lactase which is destroyed by pasteurisation. Lactase helps the body to digest lactose. and that's why so many people are lactose intolerant - the lactase has been destroyed in most commercial milk (not to mention the big no-no, homogenisation which breaks down the chemical composition of the milk!)
Irrelevant, I know, to what time you take your Levo. Sorry about that...
Thanks marram, for the suggestion but I did try a special additive which was available some time ago and was advertised to render the milk lactose free. This made no difference to how milk affected me, so I had to throw it away. I think it can't be lactose which causes the problems.
Hi
Have you tried rice milk? I have it in my porridge and it lacks that Soya taste. Makes a decent cappucino too when I go to a cafe ( I take a flask of milk and they make it for me).
High Jonesey, I apologise for taking so long to reply, but only just noticed your kind suggestion, I have some rice milk in the fridge which I intend to use very soon, but as you probably know it takes a while to get used to the new taste, but it becomes "normal" after a while and difficult to get used to. I shall pluck up my courage and try it!
Many thanks.
I been taking my thyroxine on a night just before bed on an empty stomach since September and I feel much fresher on a morning and sleep better through the night.. And on the up side my levels have dramatically improved. Also on a morning I can take any other medication I am on straight away and have a coffee which I couldn't do before because I would feel sick for the rest of the day. Seems to work for me taking thenm before bedtime!
I have been taking levothyroxinne for about 5 years and thought it had to be 30mins before food in the morning. I constantly feel tired and have trouble concentrating, so fed up with it! Now going to try at night and see what happens.Fingers crossed it works!
I have been diagnosed about 2 years ago and had a brilliant doctor, on 125mcg of levothyroxine a day and take this first thing in the morning and wait about 30min before breakfast. I generally feel great at this dose but must be honest that it depends what I have for my breakfast, fortified cereals make me ill it makes the fatigue and coldness reappear. Be aware of cereal that has iron, calcium and folic acid added to it, these interfere with your thyroxine uptake! I can definately notice the difference
Having always taken my thyroxine any old time in the morning, not taking in to account my food intake - for the last 9 days I take 150mg levothyroxine a couple of hours before I eat or drink anything, I have noticed a couple of things.. I feel and look extremely tired in the morning (having said that I am at the moment very underactive - TSH 9.98) so that could be the reason anyway) and I have started to lose weight again having been 'stuck' for the last 8 weeks or so!
I think I shall stick to the morning meds until my next blood test in 3 weeks time before I have a go at changing it to bedtime - which sounds tempting if it means that I will have more energy in the morning.. which is when I prefer to go to the gym and walk.
We'll see!
I used to take mine in the morning until I found out that eating reduces the absorbtion. I now take mine before bed, but, honestly have not seen any improvement in my symptoms.
I take mine just before I go to bed, I find it helps me get a better nights sleep and also was told that you are suppose to take it on an empty stomach, it has helped me remember to take it too
Four times a day for me. I'm on T3, I take the first dose at 2.30am, then 6.30-7am, 11am and 4pm.
always took it first thing in the morning, & switched to bedtime a week ago, there has been a gradual daily improvement & today my head feels better than it has for months
had under active thyroid for 12 years cant loss any weight feel bloated and tired everyday im on 175mg take mine in the morning before work but still shattered think after reading the comments might start at night now
Hi Joyce
I don't know if you have been asked to post your latest blood tests on the forum.
If not, get a print-out of your latest results (complete with ranges) from the GP and someone will comment upon them. Sometimes a fresh eye (not GP's) can suggest something.
Try at night and you may feel a benefit. I am on Natural Dessicated Thyroid Hormone now as I was nearly more ill on thyroxine than I was before diagnosis.
If you have your meds in the morning, don' take them till after you have your blood test.
I was told to take it any time at all but I found taking it at night kept me awake so now I take it at 4 or 5am if I wake up then. The gp has not heard or Armour but I think levothyroxine is not working for me and the T3 conversion just isnt happening. I feel I need some T3 and have read that T1 and T2 need replacing too. If our bodies were making it then it should be replaced. I have heard that one of them helps with sleep and the other with something else that I now can't remember - maybe helps with memory!
Im new to this site, I had a Total Thyroidectomy Sep 2011- for multi-nodular goittre ( Family history, mum had the same in the May 2011- previous to this always bloods had been fine- red herring me thinks! Im on 125mcg levothyroxine daily, take it in the morning with my coffee- just read that coffee affects the absorbtion- when should I take it? at night with water or morning with water as soon as I get up?? Can anyone suggest tips for weight loss- Im really struggling- someone told me not to eat carbs as when you are on thyroxine you cant metabolize it as well? Many thanks
You are correct, coffee can affect the absorbition as can some other foods.
Some people take it first thing in the morning with 1 glass of water and take their breakfast 1/2 to 1 hour later.
There has also been research on taking your meds at night with water and many people have felt better on this. If taken maybe on going to bed, you must not have eaten for about 1 1/2 hours as your stomach contents could also interfere with the uptake.
You can always try either to see what suits.
Re weight gain. Many complain of this. This is a link to the archive of Dr Lowe who died earlier this year on weight gain. On his other pages (which you can click on to retrieve info which you may find helpful) there are also replies to questions re weight.
web.archive.org/web/2010122...
I don't know if the article on Diet will be helpful.
So glad these comments came up - I am 39 ... 3 kids including the hubby ... I was diagnosed with hashimoto's about 6 years ago. I take my levothyroxine regliously every morning as soon as I wake with water. About five minutes later a cup of tea and then about an hour then before food. I did not realise that drinking or eating straight away reduces the effectiveness of these tablets. 
As I am a bit of an insomniac, whereby getting about 5 hours sleep every night and knackered everyday going to work, even trying to do a bit of housework in the evenings is trying!!! So for me I am willing to try taking these 150mcg at night, because I would love to try and find my libido 
again and have a lot more energy!!!
Maybe if you get your latest blood test results complete with ranges and post here for members to comment. It maybe, if GP willing,an addition of some T3 might helpful.
as soon as I wake up between 7am & 8am. Taken with lots of water. Beakfast 1 hour after.
Morning just before breakfast. Now just read it shouldnt be taken within 30 mins of food.
7 a.m. with 1 large glass of water (or cooling boiled water)
How do I contribute to the poll? I take at bedtime.
Hi, I'm new to this forum and am finding it extremely interesting! I was diagnosed hypothyroid six years ago after the death of my husband and put on 75mcg of levothyroxine a day. Although my blood tests come back as 'normal' everytime, I am still feeling awful most of the time. I went to see my doctor last week and asked her if I might feel better on natural thyroid or T3 etc. She was very angry with me and said she didn't know what I was talking about and couldn't prescribe anything but T4. I asked her what hypothyroidism I had and she just snapped at me saying "they're all the same"! I'm thinking of changing my doctor. Meanwhile I'm interested in taking my meds at night time instead of the morning as instructed. How do I go about moving the dosage from the morning (7am) to an evening? Should it be done by gradually moving the dose to an evening or just done straight away? If I do it straight away wont I feel ill during the hours I will be without it (dont feel that good in the daytime anyway!)
Welcome hooper
I am so sorry your hypo was diagnosed after the death of your husband. It would be bad enough coping with that as well as finding out you were hypothroid.
If you copy and paste your comment into a new question, more people will reply and give you their viewpoint as I have never taken my meds at night. I am lucky to be well now but I had to go private eventually although the NHS Endo did let me add some T3 to my T4 and it made an enormous difference.
You will find out too, that GP's just do not know how to treat us - they keep us 'within normal range' despite still having symptoms instead of increasing our meds till we are well.
Many have found the benefit of taking their meds at night so you should give it a go. If not, if you have a current thyroid gland blood test get a copy from the surgery and post the results - you must put the ranges too (figures in brackets) as labs differ and it makes it easier to comment.
Hello Hooper, I joined today after feeling really tired (been like this for a week or so); thought it was bad time i look this up again and saw this forum. I read about taking med at night - have always taken mine in the morning. I alternate 100 and 125 mcg and have just taken 25 mcg tonight and will start my full dose tomorrow night. I will keep you posted as to whether I notice any change. I must admit that I increase my dose if I feel really unwell; unfortunately I don't have many spare 25mcg left.
Hello Matrix, thank you for contacting me. The information and support on this forum is phenomenal! I have gone along for 6 years feeling I had no control over my thyroid because no GP was listening to the myriad symptoms and unwellness I was experiencing on T4 only. To find others in the same situation, and who are doing something about it, is so inspiring and comforting. I want to change to meds at night but have to admit to being a little worried about doing so. Having been of 75mcg for so long and religiously taking it every morning I am concerned as to how my body is going to react to the change. I would be really grateful if you would keep me posted Matrix. Thank you so much!
Hi Hooper thought I let know how I'm getting on with new time of med. Today day 5 I was working and by 4 pm I was really tired - could have gone to bed! However I was fine over the weekend and slept well. Also I noticed at the w/e that I wasn't constipated. One of the thing I've noticed is that I feel better for some time, then get unwell as if my level fluctuates (in times of stress etc). I have drs appt next Monday and will be asking for an increase in my med.
Hope you are feeling a bit better. Will let you know how I feel by the end of the week. Kind regards
Great to hear from you Matrix. Think your right about the fluctuating nature of this, depends on our bodies needs.; how we assimilate meds and how much we require at different times and in different situations etc. Talking on the subject of constipation, (lovely! - hope your not eating your breakfast!) I tend to go 2/3 days fine and then have a day or two constipated (up and down all the time). I've been packed off to see a specialist at the local hospital on Friday by my frustrated GP. Hoping to get some information and help but not holding my breath! Aiming to switch to night medication after visit to specialist. Will keep you in touch. All the best..
Feeling really tired today to the point I thought it's a bad move changing times of med - couldn't concentrate from 3 pm onward at work but I'll persevere and hope for the best. I've increased my med myself -taking 125 mcg daily and will discuss with GP on Monday. Hope all goes well with the specialist on Friday. Take care.
Sorry to hear you have had a bad day Matrix. Have felt quite low myself just lately - winter doesn't help. It's early days yet I should think to determine whether the switch is a positive move or not. Talk with your GP on Monday and get some feedback. I'll be joining you re: switching to night meds after I've seen the specialist on Fri. Meanwhile, big hugs!....
Thank you Hooper. I must say that even I felt tired & unwell during the day today, I'm feeling quite well this evening; even managed to do some exercise and feeling alert and with it - hooray change might be working. Hope this feeling lasts! You too take care.
Thank you Shaws - I felt better all day today so I'm hoping it's working. A bit tired this evening - I've written down the ranges for the test results and will take me with me when I visit the GP on Monday.
Kind regards
Been to GP and has med increased now taking 125 mcg which I've been taking for over a week ago. Pleased to report that I'm feeling much better. Also I think I'm adjusting well to taking the med at night.
Bedtime. Otherwise I feel rubbish and sleepy during the day.
I take my liothyronine (t3) in the morning mainly as I take 120mg. Bit I am supposed to take 4 in morning (80mg) And 2 (40) in afternoon, but because I have manic tendencies I need to take it in the morning otherwise I am too bad in the afternoon and can't sleep. My doctor did say that as the T4 had such a long 1/2 life it wouldn't matter when you took it as it stays in the blood stream for a long time whereas the T3 has a lot shorter 1/2 life ( hours).
In my book, the wrong way of looking at things. From your doctor, that is! You must do what is best for you as an individual.
T3 has its immediate effects (based on the raised T3 in serum) and that is very important. But its impact actually continues for, maybe, around a week! (That is based on my reading of animal research - might be a bit different in humans but I suspect not by much.)
Once I might have agreed about T4. But the fact that bed-time dosing gets a little closer to "natural" T4 rhythms (not close enough, of course!) and has been quite a hit among many who have tried it suggest that it really does make a difference.
I unfortunately cannot synthesise T4 so have to take T3 which has worked for me since taking it. I did take T4 when I was growing up in 3 doses before I knew I couldn't convert it.
I have set a 'pill' alarm, an hour before I actuallywant to get up, and am a pro at taking my pills & water from the bedside table, whilst still half asleep...that way, when I do get up, I can drink my beloved coffee straight away
I know this won't suit many/most folks, but it works for me, and I got used to doing it pretty quickly.
Plus, knowing I can go back to sleep for another hour is bliss!
Every morning before breakfast so that I dont forget to take it
After reading about taking thyroxine at at night has been better for some i thought i would give it a go omg in 3 days ive gained 4lb in weight ,weight gain along with many other issues has been a big thing since having my thyroid removed a year ago so think ill go back to morning cause if i get any fatter ill pop lol
Many years ago when I was taking 300mcg of levo I had problems with my breast and saw a consultant at a hospital. When I told him my thyrocine dosage, he said he had studied endocrinology before changing to breast problems and that GPs tended to prescribe everything 3tds. He said it was ok to take it all at once as it would be absorbed only slowly and processed into a useable substance (presumably T3 I now understand) He also said that once COULD take it every three days or so, but he wouldn't recommend it. He also said I was taking "enough to keep an average horse healthy", but added that if I was well with that dose it was OK. That was in the nineteen seventies. To cut a long story short, well shortish! I was quite OK until a new GP took over the practice I was at and immediately reduced this dose to 175. I have not felt completely well since, but when I queried this I was told that "really" I was lucky to be getting that and that any more put me at risk of heart attack. I then moved to another county and when the GP saw I was taking 175 said I was taking too much and should reduce. I told her I had already reduced and didn't feel ok on it. She reduced it by increments of 25mcg to 125 and I felt worse and worse. She diagnosed me as fibromyalgic with cfs. Now I have another GP who has allowed me to take another 25mcg. but she hadn't been at the practice long then. I am afraid that she has been "got at" by the practice chiefs, because they said that unless I went for a bloodtest they would have to consider whether they could continue to prescribe my meds. I have been for a test and now await my appointment with fear and trembling. Incidentally, during this last round of reductions I was told that my cholesterol was much too high and put on Simvastin at her insistence. I took it for about a week and felt absolutely terrible so stopped taking it. I wrote and told them I refused to take it any more and it took them three months to stop prescribing it.
Sorry to go on at such length, but I feel I have been deprived on good health for too long and don't know how to get it right. I cannot shout at the doc as I think they might strike me off for "abusive behaviour".
Sorry also if this is not the right place to air my grievances and, by the way, I am taking what thyroxine I still have at night with some water, before I go to sleep and I feel a bit better doing it that way.
This is a link and cursor down to 2nd question
web.archive.org/web/2010122...
and thequestion dated November 20, 2002 in this link
If you could get a copy of your latest thyroid gland blood test results and post in a new question, complete with the ranges as labs differ, others will be able to comment too. If you haven't had a recent test get one and also ask for Vit B12, Vit D, iron, feritin and folate as these should be towards the top.
You have had appaling treatment and no wonder you are unwell. Unfortunately, it is now known that statin drugs cause additional problems too.
I was taking 25mg on waking but have not slept well for years and so due to this and possible hypo felt awful in the mornings and just didnt want to get out of bed. I started taking it when in bed just before sleep and almost immediately have had the best nights sleep and feel great in the morning and 'raring to go'! I dont know if this is 'scientifically working' or psychological but either way I sleep well and feel great on waking so it works best for me. I do then start to feel tired late afternoon but am hoping a recent increase in my dose will help see me through the day anyway.
Changed from morning to bedtime approx 8 weeks ago. Feel so much better on waking, no headache!!
Take it around 5.30 when the cats wake me up by walking on my bladder for their breakfast - I then go back to sleep for an hour!
I have taken my thyroid medicine in the morning, but I am thinking of making a change to before bed, especially if it will help me sleep better!
Ok i take my 50mcr Levo in the morning at 8 am and eat/drink an hour later.If i switch to taking it in the evening lets say 12.00 midnight then do i leave my dose the following morning at 8 and take at midnight or just take it as normal at 8am and then midnight?
I used to take all my Meds together in the morning but since joining this site about 4yrs ago I take my Activis Levo at night just before going to bed with a good drink of water. It is thought that you shouldn't take Thyroid meds within one hour either side of other meds. Night time works for me. When I started taking it at night time I was having problems with Mercury Pharma Levo which didn't suit me but have been fine for about two years now on Activist. You just have to make sure your phamasist isn't swapping it around you need continuity of which ever one suits you.
This poll has been superseded by a newer poll. It will remain on the forum but will now be closed to any new responses.
