Levothyroxine and Ranitidine

[mrspinkrat]

I am on 50mg of Levothyroxine daily since October. My levels are steady BUT I have an awful taste in my mouth almost constantly. It is a sour/bitter taste and I wondered if it could be some kind of acid reflux?? I've researched something called Silent Reflux (LPR) and my symptoms are very similar - bitter taste, excess mucous, cough......

I've had the dreadful taste for about 3 months. I went to my surgery and saw a Nurse practioner who consulted a GP whilst I was there and was told - 'it's nothing sinister'!! That's fine, but I've lived with this for weeks now..... it's horrible.

A good month later I saw my GP who prescribed Gaviscon.

Initially it calmed the taste down but I have to take it like clockwork. Now the taste is getting bad again and I am at my wits end and just need some respite from this dreadful taste, so wondered if it would be ok to use Ranitidine whilst taking Levo? I do have an appointment back with my GP at the end of Feb to check my thyroid levels and will talk it over again with her - but need some respite for the next couple of weeks. I'm in a very bland diet now too as foods make this taste/mucous thing worse - particularly dairy, tomatoes, pizza, tea etc

I want to start the ranitidine today but just wanted to check it will be 'safe' ?? Thank you x

[Clutter]

I have occasionally taken Ranitidine while on levo, it never occurred to me to check whether it was contraindicated. I didn't have any adverse reaction but it wasn't regular use.

If you want to be double sure check with a pharmacist.

I'm sorry you're still suffering this. I remember your original post.

[mrspinkrat in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your kind words Clutter.....

I'll try it for a few days and see if it helps!

[Hidden]

Hi, you have to be careful taking this long term as it reduces stomach acid and therefore can affect absorption of levo. I have to take cimetidine which is a similar drug for another health problem, it really has affected my absorption of both thyroid meds and vit B 12. My iron and folate has dropped too. I'm now injecting with Vit B12, I would be very careful taking this drug. I'm having a 12 hour gap between thyroid meds and cimetidine. You could well need an increase in dose of levo.

[shaws Administrator]

These are two previous posts re stomach acid. It is more usual for hypo patients to have low acid rather than high, although symptoms are very similar.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[ianessex]

What brand of levo are you on? We've had few posts recently mentioning sour taste in mouth, exactly how your describing. Ian...

[ld31]

Hi, I take 200 mg daily and your right it does leave a horrible taste in you're mouth, bit like zopiclone I find eating a banana and a glass of milk works for me try it and good luck. LD31.