Waking

[Diyena]

I changed my Levo time to nightime a week ago, I've had a few nights where I keep waking up since, before I used to sleep solidly for a good 8 hours! Is this coincidence or likely to be the change in time?

[shaws Administrator]

I would give change-over a little longer time to adjust and it may work out for you. Many prefer bedtime to a.m. dosing.

[Coastwalker]

I changed to night times at one point when I was not on enough Levo and my brain fog and fibromyalgia type pains fell away almost over night, I woke up and my head was so clear in thought, it was brilliant at the time I recall. I was told, by taking it at night it gave me more of an uptake of the Levo.

I have changed several times back and forth (mornings/evenings) I now take the Natural Dessicated Pigs Thyroid, but for me it is best taken early in the morning as it keeps me awake if taken at night. Maybe it is to do with the uptake at certain times and how far away from any dairy foods, (calcium,) iron pills, dairy and HRT medication we take thyroid medication.

I find It is all trial and error Diyena.

[puncturedbicycle]

That's annoying if you go from getting a good night's sleep to having it interrupted. I would second Coastwalker's point that it is a matter of trial and error. Is it possible that there's a simple fix, like could it be that drinking the extra water when you go to bed is waking you? And are you still taking it on an empty stomach?

[jacquelis2]

I find it very difficult to actually have an empty stomach at bedtime because if I feel hungry I can't sleep and like most people I eat and drink throughout the day. Does anyone know how long it takes for the stomach to empty and how do you know when you have reached this stage. I take levo. about 6am because for me it feels like shot of energy.

[SilverAvocado in reply to jacquelis2]

You need to wait 2 hours after food to take Levo. Too long for me I also take a snack before bed, Because hungriness can wake me up. I think this is due to adrenal problems.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jacquelis2]

It takes about two to two-and-half hours for stomach to empty. As we are hypo everything slows. If we eat protein it takes longer to digest too as we usually have low acid which means we cannot dissolve protein as we used to.

[MariLiz]

I tried to take mine at night for a while, but it didn't seem to suit me. I was more wakeful at night and wanted to be asleep in the afternoons. So I've gone back to the morning dosing.

[Diyena]

I don't usually eat after my dinner at 7ish, so that's a clear 3 hours at least before bed. I presume thats enough time?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Diyena]

Yes - plenty.

I have always taken my levothyroxine at bed time - and better sleep was one of the first improvements I really noticed.

My advice is to take it and put your head on your pillow almost straight away. That is, don't take it and then wander about getting ready for bed, brushing teeth, reading, etc.

(I am an utter hypocrite - in the early days I think it was important to do as above. Nowadays I still fall asleep whatever has actually happened including reading.)