WHAT TIME IS BEST for taking my Levothyroxine, please?

[LuciaAsturias]

Hi all,  I was diagnosed on Monday as having Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AITD) with Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SH). 

Although I am not celebrating being ill, I'm thrilled to bits to finally have a DIAGNOSIS! 😂

For 6 MONTHS I've pushed my GP and 8 specialists for an FTF, suffering and being sent from pillar to post, ignored, belittled and made to question my own sanity by my GPs, NHS specialists, a private gastro and a private rheumatologist... 😢😠

Regardless, I decided to insist and push my GP for a private endo appointment. So, to get the desired FTF done on the same night of my 1st appointment and diagnosed 2 weeks later, is simply JOYFUL! 🎉

I have just collected my 1st meds, filled out my FP92A to get free prescriptions, and read the meds leaflet before taking my 1st levothyroxine 50mcg daily dose. 🎁

However, dont know when to take my LT as Endo didn't tell me and my GP continues to be hopeless. WHAT TIME IS BEST FOR TAKING MY MEDS? I read somewhere that it is best to take your thyroxine just before going to bed. Is that so? ⌚ SHOULD I EAT BEFORE, AFTER OR IS IT BEST TO TAKE LT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH? 

All advice welcome 😊

And happy Easter to you all! 🐣🐇🍀🌻🌼🌈

Lu

[Treepie]

On an empty stomach ,so in middle of night if you wake up or an hour before breakfast,or last thing at night.Find what suits you practically and how you feel. Take 2-4 hours away from othermeds and vitamins

[Treepie in reply to Treepie]

Vit C can be taken with levo ,some research suggests it helps absorption.

[LuciaAsturias in reply to Treepie]

Thank you!  👍

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, LuciaAsturias.

Research has shown that taking Levothyroxine at bedtime may result in lower TSH.  For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken 1 hour before food and drink, or 2 hours after, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from iron, calcium and vitD supplments and oestrogen.

It will take 7-10 days to absorb Levothyroxine before it starts working and up to 6 weeks to feel the full impact of the 50mcg dose.  Symptoms will improve gradually but it may take several months before you are optimly dosed and feel well.

You should have a follow up thyroid test to check levels in 6-8 weeks.  Arrange an early morning blood draw when TSH is highest, and fast (water only) because TSH drops after eating and drinking.  Take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[LuciaAsturias in reply to Clutter]

Thank you!  🌺

[helvella Administrator]

You might find the poll conducted on this very forum of interest:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[LuciaAsturias in reply to helvella]

Thank you! 🐣 

[Jmay88]

Don't you want to try Natural Dessicated Thyroid hormone instead? The synthetic they have placed you in is a T4 only med and does not provide the needed T3 hormone.  I was on a synthetic for a long time with good results for a time, but then became very unwell on it. Many are unwell from the start. Sorry, I don't mean to scare you, I just see that you are just starting on this medication, and many have been through this process already. Please go to stopthethyroidmadness.com to understand your options 😊 and other things that will help this condition. Best! 

[eeng in reply to Jmay88]

But then many thousands of people find Levothyroxine suits them well. They just don't tend to post on this forum. I think if people can get well on Levothyroxine only then they should stay put. It's so much less hassle with free (in the UK) meds, not just the Levothyroxine, for the rest of your life, free blood tests etc etc. 

Even on this forum many people are helped to get a level of Levothyroxine that makes them well (rather than one that makes their doctor happy).

For me self medication would be a last resort. However I won't rule it out, and I do acknowledge that for people who are ill despite taking plenty of Levothyroxine (or sometimes because of it) T3 and NDT are a good and valid solution. Being well shouldn't be seen as an optional extra.

[LuciaAsturias in reply to eeng]

Thank you! 🐦

[LuciaAsturias in reply to Jmay88]

Thank you! 🐰

[silverfox7]

If you are in the UK then it is difficult to find a medic who will support you on NDT. However many do very well in Levo so don't post on here so I would try the Levo first but don't expect instant success. Everything in the thyroid world takes time, it takes 6 weeks to get the benefit of each dose increase and you can't speed that up, if you try you may well make things worse. After 6 weeks you should be retested and a decision made as to whether you need to up your dose and so on till you are on the correct dose for you. (NDT takes just as long) post your results and the ranges after each test and you will get more help and I'm sure encouragement. The ranges are important as they differ from lab to lab. Some of your symptoms will feel a little better though some may not at first. Depending how out of range your results have been and for how long influences the time it takes to correct  plus we all tend to be different and our bodies work differently as well so give it time. It might be a good thing to start a diary not only of the dose of meds but how you are feeling and hopefully you will see the improvement as you go along. Don't try to overdo the exercise but give your body time to improve. Patience is a virtue! 

[LuciaAsturias in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you! 🍀