Thyroxine

[Jadedflower1944]

Out of curiosity I read the insert in my packet of thyroxine. It states take with water before breakfast. Now I'm confused as have always taken mine hours after and before food

[helvella Administrator]

The wording and advice used on Patient Information Leaflets can be very old and might miss more recent understanding.

The issue with levothyroxine is that many foods, drinks (other than water), supplements and other medicines can affect the absorption of the levothyroxine. Although theory suggests you could compensate by taking a higher dose, most people have enough variation in their diets that they could well end up have uneven dosing.

I take mine at bed-time - with water.

[louloub]

I was told by my doctor and various pharmacists to take my tablet first thing in the morning and wait at least half an hour before eating. However, from reading around the subject it seems that taking the tablet in a consistent manner is key.

[radd in reply to louloub]

loulou,

I take mine first thing in the morning with a glass of water.

Levothyroxine has a long half life so theoretically you could take a large amount in one go as long as the weekly amount remained the same but a regular amount taken the same time each day ensures a balanced intake of hormone and a good habit of regular administration. .

[Jadedflower1944 in reply to radd]

Do you wait a while before having breakfast ?

[radd in reply to Jadedflower1944]

About an hour and a half as have a little read and then shower, etc. ... we eat breakfast about 8am.

[Jadedflower1944 in reply to radd]

You must be a morning person. I'm def not.

[radd in reply to Jadedflower1944]

Haha. Yeh .. often watch the sun come up.

[jimh111]

It doesn't matter if it works for you and you have stable fT4 levels. I take mine at bedtime with my liothyronine. I take the other half of my liothyronine 2 min 30 secs before breakfast, occasionally 2 min 25 sec if the porridge starts to boil over in the microwave.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Taking at bedtime, on empty stomach gives very much better result for me.

On very eminent Endos advice I changed to taking late evening from taking first thing in morning.

Was astonished at the improvement.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Trial and error as to what suits you best.

[Jadedflower1944 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have just recently changed from taking in the morning to bedtime. It's certainly a lot easier

[Cariad-y-Mor in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon - sorry to butt in but noticed you say you were astonished at the improvement when you started taking levothyroxine at night. Can I ask what improvement you experienced and how long it took to feel a difference ? Thank you.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Cariad-y-Mor]

Have a look at the poll conducted here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Cariad-y-Mor in reply to helvella]

Thank you helvella........the poll has some interesting comments.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helvella]

Perhaps time to repeat this poll.

Especially in the light of recent research and also now some Endo's are changing their advice regarding when to take.

Also NICE are currently rewriting treatment guidelines - so would be a good thing to pass on to them

[helvella Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

May I suggest you say that to Thyroid UK? Admins are not allowed to set polls.

In my view, that was probably the most useful poll ever conducted.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helvella]

Yep will do

I will get in touch with Louise

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Well it just seemed to work better.

As I understand it from the research, food (or in this case the Levo) travels slower through the gut at nighttime, so more is able to be absorbed. The researchers think that, if it suits you, you get more uptake of the medication.

I think I also read somewhere that higher T4 in body at bedtime may lower cortisol or help with adrenal imbalance.

Obviously everyone is different.

I really need a higher dose than I can tolerate, so I guess I am perhaps getting more out of the same dose.

In my case I moved the medication dose time back a couple of hours each night. Eg 5am, then 3am, 1am, then 11pm.

I think in the mornings I tended to give in too quickly and have a cup of tea - I have found I really do need to not have anything but water, for at least an hour after.

But I am very sensitive to Levo, any changes, and any new medication.

[Cariad-y-Mor in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SLowDragon. I am taking it at night before I go to sleep now. I think I am hoping it may give me more energy and stop me feeling lethargic and lifts my low mood.