Taking levothyroxine ...

[jojojowilts43]

Does it matter if you take levothyroxine after having a coffee ?. Since starting on it back in Feb/march time I had no idea that it mattered. I've been taking it in morning about one hour or so after my morning coffee and carried on doing this the whole time.. then when I got some new 25mcg wockhardt to take alongside my activis 100mcg on the 25 box it said take at least 30mins before any caffeine drinks etc.. oopps?!!!.. wpuld this mean that my levo hadn't been doing what it's meant to or don't it matter too much??.

The 1 occasion where I took it soon as I woke up and before coffee ,I felt crap after taking it , and had some discomfort in my chest. I have had that before but put it down to reflux as I diagnosed with sliding hiatus hernia recently.. and had pricking sensation in my chest more towards centre/right breast area. It kinda scared me so I've gone back to taking it after coffee again. has anyone else on here had that problem with taking it on empty stomach

[HIFL]

There's a post addressing your question here: tiredthyroid.com/blog/2014/...

"Levothyroxine sodium is bioidentical to human T4, but only after stomach acid breaks off the sodium molecule that’s attached. Maximal absorption occurs on an empty stomach, when gastric acidity is highest. Breakfast and/or coffee consumed within the hour decreases absorption.[1]"

The one morning where you took it without coffee likely had the effect of a huge dose increase!

[jojojowilts43 in reply to HIFL]

Hi and Thanks. Well the thing is I don't want to feel bad after taking it on an empty stomach.. so what should I do??

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

You shouldn't feel ill after taking it on an empty stomach. I was taking it completely wrong for 5 years, add this to the fact I was under medicated all that time, it's little wander I didn't start to feel well until getting the correct advice from this forum. I take mine around 10pm now. My last meal of the day is 6pm (this helps with food digestion and weight loss), therefore my stomach is empty. x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

Hi in what way was you taking it wrong ?x

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

I was taking a ridiculous low 25mcg thyroxine for 5 years! getting more and more ill. I was taking it in the morning with food and drink and supplements. I hadn't a clue and the GP's were clueless too. It really does make a difference how you take it, I found this forum when I was desperately ill and unable to function last September..I am much improved now and know what to do to help myself. x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

Omg that's awful . Poor you .. surely 25mcg is just a starting dose ain't it.. how come your dose wasn't upped ?? That's awful that u were under medicated for years. Also when I said to doctor about different brands they had given me,he said it doesn't matter... but they don't do the 25mcg activis do they.. what are u meant to do. I don't even know if this levo helps me.

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

Worse still I wasn't given any thyroxine for over 15 years neither was I told I have Hashimotos. I had 2 x Radio active iodine in 14 months over 22 years ago and only my TSH was tested yearly. I was oblivious of my illness and subsequent illnesses. Not one GP associated my symptoms with neglected thyroid. I found this forum when at rock bottom, that started me researching for myself. Getting my gut issues sorted, stopping long term PPi's and long term anti biotics (which caused me more problems). My B12 was below range and I had over range calcium in my blood thanks to prescribed calcium/vit D and no knowledge of needing Vit K2-Mk7. When I pleaded for an increase in thyroxine( 50mcg instead of 25mcg) it made me feel worse for a couple of weeks but then I started to feel the difference. I upped it to 62.5mcg a couple of months ago because I started to feel ill again. My GP does not argue with me anymore because I won't let them.x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

Is it better taking meds at night then ???

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

It suits me better because I take my supplements during the mornings and with evening meal. Others say it suits them better too. It's easier than trying to fit it around vitamins or any others meds if you take them. x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to HIFL]

See I didn't think it matters so long as u actually take the levothyroxine ... shows how little I know still.

But yes, when I did try it on empty stomach afterwaking up I didn't like it.. so dunno what to do really..

Are there many different brands names of levothyroxine?? Could it be the one I'm taking isn't suitable. But surely all are the same aren't they ?????

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

They aren't the same, what brand are you taking ?

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

I'm taking 100mcg - activis ,and 25mcg - wockhardt

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

Try not mixing the brands. I know you can't get 25 mcg dose of Activis. Tesco chemist sell a good pill cutter for around £2.00. Your GP may even give you a 50 mcg of Activis which you can just cut in half. I quarter mine because I only need an extra 12.5mcg at the moment.x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info.. I do have some 50mcg as they wanted me upped to 150mcg but I found soon as I tried that extra 25mcg (going up from 125) I just didn't take to it. Felt crap and chest probs and not top brill. So I started breaking the 50mcg in half and tried 125mcg and felt ok sticking to that .. so I was taking the same brand at this point.( Activis)? But then all my 50 had gone and doc gave me 25 wockhardt...

Do some people have probs when they upp by 25mcg ???

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

You may have needed to increase it slower eg 12.5 at a time (this suits me). It's up to you but I would consider taking one brand and give it a few weeks, Thyroxine is a storage hormone so it will take time to get things working to speed. x

[Treepie in reply to jojojowilts43]

I am n the same mix ,was on Mercury only before.Not notice any difference.

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

Sorry just noticed the brands you are taking. It could be that you are taking two brands. Some people have been having issues with Wockhart. I take Activis 50mcg + 1/4 of 50 mcg (pill cutter) I would never mix my brands. I have had issues before because of different brands. Mercury Pharma does not suit me. x

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Hidden]

I am. Taking 100mcg activis plus 25mcg wockhardt. Weirdly when first diagnosed as being borderline under I as given 25mcg wockhardt to take and I was fine with taking it... I am ok too taking what I am now it seems so long as it's what I'm used to, which is "after" I've had my morning coffee.. to be fair I have only tried once to take it before any drink so that incident could of been a 1 off, but where I've had chest and stomach issues for cpl yrs now it kinda scared me. Up til I was recently told I have a hernia..

[Hidden in reply to jojojowilts43]

PS coffee as an effect on medication, for eg. the 'Extra ingredient in strong dose paracetamol etc. is caffeine. Caffeine speeds up the absorption of the pain relief. If you want to save money rather than paying the extra cost of Extra strength pills, just drink a coffee with the cheaper version. x

[mountaingoat83]

I think the main thing is to be consistent, so if you always have coffee and you are feeling well on your dose then I'd say carry on as you are. However if you decide to change your routine, you may find you need a slightly lower dose, so get a blood test 6-8 weeks after changing things. Hope that helps x