Sister ill informed

It never ceases to amaze me how ill informed hypo patients are. My sister recently had her thyroid removed and was not informed not to take her calcium supplement at the same time as her 150 mcg of levothyroxine. so she was taking them both at same time every morning and obviously still wiped out!! unreal!!

[shaws Administrator]

It's not your sister's fault. It's the fault of whoever treated her and removed her thyroid gland.

Unless her gland was cancerous, did the medical profession advise her of any options or what the consequences of being without a thyroid gland would be?

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

oh I know its not my sisters fault thats what I was saying. she had a growth and had one half removed and then the other half. But nobody told her not to take the calcium with it and she still suffered for quite a while

[Clutter]

No-Sparkle, One hospital prescribed T3 and the second Levothyroxine. Neither advised avoiding taking them with food, meds or supplements.

[Isaacnewt]

Quite agree. My thyroid was removed many years ago when I was a teenager. They told me nothing at all except to take levo. At least nowadays we have the internet and a better appreciation of GP fallibility.

[MariLiz]

I've been on Levo for over fifteen years, no one ever gave me information on how to take it. The leaflet just said one hour before food, nothing about other medications. It's only on here that you learn what you should be doing.

[shaws Administrator in reply to MariLiz]

I think they should hand out a leaflet at the doctors or hospitals particularly if has been written by Thyroiduk.org so at least it will contain sensible and correct advice.

[Glynisrose]

Sorry, why a calcium supplement? Bones are made of many minerals one of which is calcium. It does not mean that taking calcium will help.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Glynisrose]

I think it's common if someone has a TT.

physiciansweekly.com/thyroi...

[Hidden in reply to Glynisrose]

I will have to ask her but she was definitely prescribed a calcium suppplement called Calci which is important to take daily. I dont take it myself but ive not had thyroidectomy

[Pepekins]

I had TT 14 years ago and was told just to take my pills anytime with or without food. Also I used to split the dose 3x50mcg throughout the day as nobody told me any different, all with meals!!! Thanks to this forum I now know better. I was never given calcium however since reading up on things, not sure I should although I did lose a lot of bone in my hips over the years. Apparently Vit D is crucial.

[Hidden]

I had been taking thyroid supplements at the same time as my thyroid tablets and didn't realise they affect the way thyroxine is absorbed in the body. You're right, there needs to be more advice on this kind of thing.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry meant iron supplements*