Help with when to take Iron, Vitamins and anti-depressants.

[nikki2975]

My Iron levels are rather low at the moment so I've been prescribed Ferrous Sulphate 200mg which I have to take 3 times a day. Can I take them all at the same time as fitting in 3 will be hard with my work and college schedule? I also need to fit it around taking Vitamin D, B12, B complex and 2 20,000mg of Fluoxetine. I know some can stop absorption of others, can anyone help me with this please? Thank you

[helvella Administrator]

The advice on at least one of the Patient Information Leaflets for levothyroxine in the UK says that you should leave a 4-5 hour gap between iron supplements such as Ferrous Sulphate and levothyroxine. Many here will fully endorse that (though the usual suggestion here has been 4 hours).

Levothyroxine can be affected by so many medicines, supplements, foods and drinks (other than water) that the only safe advice is to take it away from everything else - by two hours for most things.

Consider bed-time for taking levothyroxine.

[nikki2975 in reply to helvella]

I don't have to take anything for my thyroid at the moment and haven't had too for a long time. It's help with the antidepressants and vitamins please. Thanks for replying

[Glynisrose]

Depression is a SYMPTOM of hypothyroid not a seperate thing and taking Fluoxetine is as good as wiping out your thyroxine? There is little point in taking bioth.

[nikki2975 in reply to Glynisrose]

I had my depression 8 years before I got my hyperthyroidism. I'm still a little symptomatic but my TSH level is improving on it's own. Not had to take any meds for over a year and could be discharged from the hospital in a few months depending on my next blood test in April. I've obmy been taking the fluoxetine for 2-3 months now and not noticed any changes in reference to my thyroid only my mood and energy has improved.

[Glynisrose in reply to nikki2975]

You should not be judged by your TSH level unless it is higher than normal it is WRONG.

[nikki2975 in reply to Glynisrose]

My T3 and T4 are in range. It's just my TSH thats the problem as it's been suppressed for years but it's finally moving into range on it's own. It's based on all 3 but just put the TSH as that's the one that's the problem at the moment.