Best time to take supplements

[Queenie26]

If I take folic acid, vitamin b12, vitamin d and iron supplements. When is the best time to take them. Are they better with food. Any advice would be gresy appreciated. Thank you x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Queenie26 B vitamins are best taken in the morning, no later than lunchtime, because then can be stimulating and you don't want them to be disturbing your sleep by taking them in the evening.

Is your B12 sublingual? If so you can take it without food if you wish as it is absorbed through the tiny blood vessels under the tongue so bypasses the stomach.

Folic acid is B9 so should also be taken no later than lunchtime. Check the packet, it should probably be taken with food.

It's recommended to take a B Complex when taking B12 to balance all the B vitamins. Your B Complex should be taken with food.

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D3 is fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day. If it is a softgel it already contains some (there will probably be oil in the softgels) so just some good dietary fat will be enough, eg a full fat yogurt or a cracker and butter, rather than a meal. Some people find that D3 keeps them awake so you'll have to see if it affects you if take it in the evening. If so, take at lunchtime, or even breakfast if it contains some fat.

Take D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

As you are taking D3, are you also taking it's important cofactors, particularly K2-MK7 (taken with dietary fat/fattiest meal of the day as it is a fat soluble vitamins).

Also magnesium, which is calming so best taken in the evening as you don't want it sending you to sleep during the day. Take magnesium four hours away from thyroid meds.

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Iron must be taken four hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption. It is supposed to be better taken without food but if it upsets your stomach then take it with food.

Take each iron tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation.

[Queenie26 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your detailed reply I really appreciate it & find the information really useful. I have started taking my thyroxine at night so I can safely take supplements during the day. I purchased vitamin d3 with vitamin k2 mk7. Vitamin b12 & folic acid are tablets so will take with breakfast. Need to get vit c to take with iron. Not tried taking iron yet. Want to start slowly. Don't normally take magnesium tablets as I have Epsom salts baths twice a week which is supposed to be the best way to absorb magnesium. Also have magnesium spray for apply to legs. May consider purchasing magnesium tablets to see if that aids sleep better. Thanks again xx

[BadHare in reply to Queenie26]

You're best sticking to the baths & spray for magnesium as it's best absorbed orally at bedtime, & this would interfere with your TH absorption. Make sure you use at least 500g of epsom salts in your bath, & soak for at least 20 minutes.

[Queenie26 in reply to BadHare]

Thank you. I buy medical grade Epsom salts and soak for 20 mins. I really enjoy a bath. X

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Queenie26]

Queenie26 You are probably fine with your current magnesium routine, magnesium tablets will interfere with the timing of your Levo.

[BadHare]

All supplements are best more than 4 hours after you thyroid meds.

I take B's at lunchtime, & iron mid-afternoon inbetween meals with a piece of fruit ot two, as vitamin C helps absorption. I usually have D3 with nuts & seeds, & full fat kefir in the evening.

[Crzygirl]

I wish my b12 gave me energy & magnesium "calmed" me. Unfortunately, I don't notice a difference :/

[Queenie26 in reply to Crzygirl]

I've only just started taking it so don't know how long it wil take to notice the difference. Will keep you posted. Xx