Holiday medicines

[Jukebox1]

I am going to Orlando on holiday, I take 50micrograms of Levothyroxine before breakfast each day and, because of 5 hour time difference I wonder if I should take it at night instead. I see on this forum that some people do take it at night. Perhaps I should ask pharmacist.

[shaws Administrator]

There is no need to change how you take your table as you are going on holiday. Just take your levo as usual when you wake up. Levo is long-lasting and you shouldn't be affected.

[Jukebox1 in reply to shaws]

Thanks for your advice, just diagnosed a month ago and not used to taking daily medication. Was rather stunned when diagnosed and just took the prescription, didn't ask the doctor any questions. Next appointment end of August hopefully grow to understand the condition better.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Jukebox1]

4 weeks is not very long at all. Usually you have a blood test after 6 weeks with an increase in medication and I assume you will get one on your return.

When you get a blood test, do not take your medication beforehand, take it after. Get the earliest appointment for your blood test as TSH is highest then. If you haven't already had a blood test for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate request one as we are usually deficient.

You take levo on an empty stomach with 1 glass of water. If you have eaten you must leave 2 hours each side of taking the levo.

Have a good enjoyable holiday.

[Jukebox1]

Thanks for your reply. I usually wait half an hour after taking tablet befor eating breakfast. Is that long enough? Any longer and I'll never get anywhere.

I was also diagnosed with high blood glucose at the same blood test and am trying to sort it with diet, exercise and weight loss. The test showed my level at 49 with 43 - 48 considered pre diabetic and the diabetic nurse suggested I try to reduce it before she referred me to the hospital dietician and diagnosed me as type 2 diabetic. I am hoping that my thyroid being underactive might have had something to do with this and I do see an improvement (along with my lifestyle changes).

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Jukebox1]

Half an hour is not long enough to avoid interaction - especially as many breakfasts contain things like iron (Special K), milk, and such like which are known to bind to levothyroxine.

Regarding holiday, it is possible you will feel very slightly under-dosed at the start.

If you want to change to bed-time dosing, I suggest doing so well away from holiday. You will confuse yourself in mind and body changing and going on holiday within a short time.

If you were going to somewhere antipodean like Australia for a long holiday, I suggest a day (or more) on a 12-hour dosing regime at start and end of holiday. (That means, of course, half your daily dose, but twice in a day.) Then switch to your normal dosing time by local time. For a short time, it is probably better to dose by home time.

Rod

[Jukebox1 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, how long do you suggest I should wait after taking tablet before eating breakfast.

[Clutter in reply to Jukebox1]

Jukebox, you need to allow one hour before food & drink or two hours after food and drink, two hours away from other medicines and supplements and 4 hours away from iron and calcium. Have a lovely holiday

[Jukebox1 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter, really confusing. I wonder why the doctor didn't explain better, or even the pharmacist.

[Clutter in reply to Jukebox1]

Jukebox, some GPs don't know. Always a good idea to read the PIL that comes with your medicines.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clutter]

What is quite interesting is that some of the PILs vary depending on dosage! E.g. 25mcg Mercury Pharma versus 50/100 mcg Mercury Pharma (think it is true for them - certainly is for some other medicines). As well as differing from one make to another.

So you might see good advice about food in one but not another.

Rod

[Clutter in reply to helvella]

Flippin 'eck, they don't make it easy for us, do they Rod!

[Jukebox1 in reply to Clutter]

I'm pretty sure I did read it Clutter, will look again though.

[Jukebox1 in reply to Jukebox1]

Just checked the insert and there is no indication of how long to leave, just says swallow with water before food. The only reference to timing, which is what I followed was for children under twelve which tells you to give the child the medicine at least half and hour before food. I was prescribed antibiotics for a water infection at the same time and it was only by reading on this site that I discovered I should leave at least two hours after taking Levothyroxine before taking antibiotics.