is it ok to take thyroid meds an hr early

[danid1989]

i usually take 25mcg levothyroxine at 11.30 at night if i were to take it at 10 sum nights wud that be safe enough?

[PinkNinja]

It's fine. It has quite a long half-life so it's not a problem to take it an hour or so earlier from time to time. The main thing is to take it away from food. So a couple of hours after food and an hour before

Carolyn x

[danid1989 in reply to PinkNinja]

thankyou

wondering if you can answer another question for me? ive just been told my thyroid is underactive slightly. im on meds about three weeks. can the symptoms of underactive thyroid affect me before the bloods show anything is wrong? x

[henrythewasp in reply to danid1989]

I had the symptoms before it was confirmed with my bloods if that is what you are asking? My weight was up and down,feeling extremely tired,Swollen face,Aching Joints.Dizzy spells,Mood swings in a very big and alarming way....

[danid1989 in reply to henrythewasp]

i mean i have had bad dizziness since january and my bloods came back fine until may when it showed my levels were low. my weight has decreased aswell

[PinkNinja in reply to danid1989]

My blood tests can all be within range and I can feel terrible. Everyone has their own level of thyroid hormones at which they feel well, yet the reference ranges for the blood tests are very wide. It is very possible for your blood tests to be within range but not be right for you and in these circumstances you will feel hypothyroid.

Do you have your blood test results? It is a good idea to get your results each time with the reference ranges. It also helps you to know what levels are right for you.

Carolyn x

[danid1989 in reply to PinkNinja]

all the dr said was my t4 was 10.4 and it should be 12 and my tsh was rising think it use to be 1.2 or something. sorry if this is confusing i dont no much about this x

[PinkNinja in reply to danid1989]

It does sound like you might need an increase then. You really want your TSH to be below 1 (well, most people feel best then) and T4 at the top of the range. Hopefully you will start to feel better once your dose has been increased.

[danid1989 in reply to PinkNinja]

ive only started the medication 3 weeks ago so he doesnt wanr to check my bloods for three months as he said it can jump up and down for a while. hw long does it take usually to start feeling better? my dizziness has eased a little bt i still dont know if its related

[PinkNinja in reply to danid1989]

It can take a while but you should be feeling something by now if you are on a high enough dose. Even if he isn't going to test for 3 months, an increase of 25mcg after 6 weeks is not unreasonable if you are not feeling better. Then he can do the test at 3 months.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes it's fine to take your T4 at night - as long as you leave 2 hours after eating.

Yes, we can have clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism for a long time before being diagnosed. If the GP only goes by the TSH result which might be in range and not take account of the clinical symptoms. Some doctors also wouldn't think of doing a TSH blood test in the first place despite symptoms.