Newly diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Advice nee... - Thyroid UK

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Newly diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Advice needed.

Hi, I've got my blood results back from the doctors today and I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (Underactive thyroid). If I'm honest it's been a bit overwhelming with the thought of having to take a tablet for the rest of my life so just on here to gather some answers and advise moving forward.

1) When is the best time to take Levothyroxine? I know the leaflet says in the morning but I like to eat as soon as I get up. So how effective is it when taken at night?

2) I'm currently on Microgynon 30, does this have any effect with Levothyroxine? I take this at night so will I be able to take Levothyroxine at night too?

3) Can alcohol be consumed with Levothyroxine? The is no mention of this in the leaflet.

Anything else I've not considered let me know. Hope you can all help

Read more about...

Levothyroxine
Underactive thyroid

21 Replies

oldest • newest

puncturedbicycle

3 years ago

1) The important thing is that you take it the same way every day as foods and medications can interfere with how you use it. Unless you're eating and drinking exactly the same thing every time you take your meds, the best way of being consistent is to take it on an empty stomach. I set my alarm to take it early, a few hours before waking, so I don't have to postpone food/drink when I get up. If you prefer to take it at night you can, just 2-3hrs after food and any non-water drink and away from other meds.

2) Is that birth control? Again, if you take it well away from other meds it should be fine.

3) You can drink alcohol if you're on thyroxine.

Hope that helps.

2 likes

Nicolet89

in reply to puncturedbicycle

3 years ago

Thank you for your response.

Yeah Microgynon 30 is birth control, I thought it was ok to take with Levothyroxine as my Doctor gave me another prescription for them but just wanted to make sure. Would you suggest moving my pill to take in the morning and Levothyroxine at night as that would give enough time in between (and I can then still eat as soon as I get up lol).

helvellaAdministrator

3 years ago

Many, including me, take ours at bed-time. See here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

There is some evidence that absorption can be slightly better when it is taken at bed-time.

Over the years, many people have posted that they are less tolerant of alcohol since becoming hypothyroid. Difficult to find any decent evidence as no-one seems to research things like this! I certainly continue to drink, but most definitely in moderation.

3 likes

Nicolet89

in reply to helvella

3 years ago

Thank you for your reply!

That's a really helpful/interesting read. I think I will definitely give Levothyroxine a try tonight first! I always take squash mixed with water to bed (I get thirty at night... must be the snoring lol), is that OK to take with Levothyroxine / over night?

Glad to know you can drink on them, I only asked as it's my friends 30 birthday party this weekend and still wanted to join in the celebration.

helvellaAdministrator

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

In an ideal world, I'd say that it should be just water. But in this less-than-perfect world we actually live in, it probably makes little difference.

1 like

Hidden

3 years ago

It is an idea to take one in the morning, say the pill and then the levo in the evening. That way eating doesn't interfere. I take some in the morning and some at night. Its about whats best for you though, everyones different. Thyroid meds at first for me helped me sleep a bit better too. Doesn't work anymore haha!

1 like

Nicolet89

in reply to Hidden

3 years ago

Thank you Katie!

Well I've just taken my first ever dose now tonight so will take my birth control pill early in the morning (it's within 12 hours so it won't be a 'late pill' - of course I will still stay safe although a low libido was one of my symptoms so I'm sure it will still be sometime before that comes back).

1 like

Hidden

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

Pleasure. Yes the err get off me method is the best form of contraception haha. Low libido is bound to happen if you feel so poorly. Will get better for you once you get some energy back. Everything will hopefully 😊

2 likes

Nicolet89

in reply to Hidden

3 years ago

Looking forward to getting my energy back once the tablets kick in. It's been pathetic all the naps I take in a day.. Can't do that when I'm back at work (I'm a teacher).

1 like

Katepots

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

Get your GP to check your thyroid antibodies to check you are not Hashimoto thyroditis. Very important. I was put on Thyroxine for years without being tested and became sicker and sicker.

Levothyroxine is just T4 supplementation whereas a lot of us feel so much better with all the T's supplemented so we take Natural Dessicated Thyroid.

Also get your folate feretin B12 and Vit D checked as we need these optimal and we are often deficient in them. I suggest you read books by Mary Shomon and Dr Datis Khazzarian to understand your thyroid more as the GP won't tell you!!

1 like

Nicolet89

in reply to Katepots

3 years ago

Thanks for your reply.

When I have my next blood test I will bring this up with my doctor, thanks. That's really interesting, my vitamin D levels were low but the doctor didn't say much about it. Should I just take a supplement?

Katepots

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

Yes.

How low though? You should get them prescribed on the NHS. It's one thing they will prescribe, fight for it.

Will help with low mood, bone pain and muscle wastage.

1 like

Nicolet89

in reply to Katepots

3 years ago

I'm not sure how low, she didn't really focus on it so I'm guessing it was not very low.

Katepots

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

If a GP mentions the word low it will be lower than you think! Anythingshort of optimal needs supplementing.

Ask for a printout of your results and post on here.

Nicolet89

in reply to Katepots

3 years ago

Yeah I've just ask for a print out so will collect it later and post on here! Thanks, everyone's been so helpful. Made me feel a lot better. I just thought it was my iron, was a little shocked yesterday when I got told the results lol.

Katepots

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

Well you've found the right place to get sorted quickly.x

1 like

Rennixon

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B001AT... you take vit D you should take K2 with it, this makes the vitD go to your bones & not clog your arteries. I get vit d on NHS, but have to buy the K2, I get mine from Amazon -solar brand - link at the top 😊

2 likes

Nicolet89

in reply to Rennixon

3 years ago

Thank you, that's really helpful! I might wait till I see the doctor next after my next blood test (guess I have to get use to blood tests, thank god I'm not scared of needles).

1 like

Rennixon

in reply to Nicolet89

3 years ago

Hahaha certainly is !

1 like

Angel_of_the_North

3 years ago

4 hours away from the pill, calcium or iron, 1 hour before or 2 hours after, food. With water only. Time of day doesn't matter, but get into a routine. You could take a weeks' worth at once and it would still work (haven't tried).

1 like

Nicolet89

in reply to Angel_of_the_North

3 years ago

Thank you!

I took my first Levothyroxine last night and my pill this morning. I'm going to keep to this routine and see how it goes 😊 I normally eat dinner at 6.30 and go to bed at around 10 so I think the timing works for me as I eat as soon as I wake up (grumpy otherwise haha). When I need to start taking vitamins I will take them in the afternoon so everything is away from each other.