Can you help please : I’ve taken 125 of Levo... - Thyroid UK

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Can you help please

susanclark profile image
23 Replies

I’ve taken 125 of Levo religiously for 5 years, I have no thyroid ,and I forgot this morning, will it be ok to miss it as it’s so late ,and just carryon with next dose in the morning x Susan

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susanclark
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23 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

You can take it now, as long as it two hours since you've eaten and not had tea, coffee or milk. Or double dose tomorrow, it wont be a problem. It's not a quick acting thing, it takes about 7 days to be absorbed, so moving the time of a dose isn't a problem.

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you I’ve had milk and food but I will take it anyway just in case x

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply tosusanclark

milk interferes with levo absorption but it won't matter on this one occasion. If it happens that you forget again just double the dose the next day or I sometimes just add 50mcg over a couple of days to make up for the missed dose. It has a half life of 7 days so it's slow acting and timing is not so essential but good absorption is essential.

susanclark profile image
susanclark

Thank you your very reassuring x

LAHs profile image
LAHs

Yes, milk before thyroid meds is a no no. The reason is that you need an acidic stomach to absorb the medication and milk is just the opposite, it is taken to soothe an overly acidic stomach. Some people take apple cider vinegar to increase the acid in their stomach to aid absorption. Actually, I love milk and often have cocoa before bed, I am not sure whether it affects absorption 8 hours later, I haven't noticed any difference.

Summer64 profile image
Summer64

I was rushed into hospital in January early in the morning so didn't get my thyroid meds. I don't have a working thyroid and I mentioned it to the doctor and he said it wouldn't hurt to miss it for one day so I did and felt no difference.

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toSummer64

I’m so sorry to hear that thank you very much for taking the time to help x

Lily288 profile image
Lily288 in reply toSummer64

To Summer64

I love that you shared your experience in reply to a question. There's no better way than personal experience. 👋

susanclark profile image
susanclark

Thank you so reassuring x

Chriskisby profile image
Chriskisby

I am not sure taking a double dose is wise. If I took 250 of levo I am sure I would be having a pounding heart with palpitations! I sometimes have it with my usual 125 so if I know I have an easier day coming up I sometimes drop it to 100mg and that seemed to help.

I am currently back on my full dose as I was getting very constipated and feeling quite achy and tired and ready for bed at 9pm some nights! I had also gained a few pounds in weight too, but I feel better now.

I am sure one missed dose, or one taken a bit later would do no harm.

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toChriskisby

Thank you x

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toChriskisby

Chriskisby

I have read some people just take a week’s worth in one go 😳 - that is every week cos they find it less hassle and they feel fine. I don’t think it would suit me but I take NDT which has T3 with a shorter half life than T4 plus I react really fast to medications. Missing a dose one day is not ideal but it is not serious. Odd to take it for 5 years and suddenly forget one day. I have short phases of forgetting it but keep some in my work bag for later when I remember I have forgotten 🙄

Chriskisby profile image
Chriskisby in reply toTSH110

Wow! Gives me palpitations just thinking about it!!!

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toTSH110

I wish someone would invent a patch for us wouldn’t that be good x

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply tosusanclark

susanclark i think in the early days of discovering how to treat hypothyroidism sheep thyroids were transplanted under the skin and they worked but I presume the antibodies most of us have would destroy those eventually too ☹️

Nellups profile image
Nellups

I have no Thyriod and have missed a tablet before now, endo said to forget it and not to double dose won’t hurt missing the occasional one

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toNellups

Thank you so reassuring x

Catseyes235 profile image
Catseyes235

In 30+ years of taking thyroxine I've often forgotten my tablets . .usually due to rushing out in the morning or phone or some distraction. I usually divide my 150mcg in to 3 and add 50mcg to next 3 days. It just makes it gentler and avoids a quick hot flush! I use a 7 day pill keeper otherwise I'd be in a right muddle. not too fussed about taking after milk etc though usually have on an empty stomach first thing when I wake. Haha . . Just realised I forgot to take it this morning!,. Better late than never . .

JOLLYDOLLY profile image
JOLLYDOLLY

It happens occasionally but never double dose on medication, it is not good for you. If you have been taking it for that long religiously, missing one dose will not make a difference, you will have enough medication already in your system.

It is ironic really as I have taken it all my life, but it is not automatic for me to take it. I have to rely on a dosage box now and take it before my breakfast, otherwise I forget.

Take care and don't worry :)

susanclark profile image
susanclark in reply toJOLLYDOLLY

Thank you I was totally absorbed in another problem I have and that’s why I forgot them 🙄xxx

JOLLYDOLLY profile image
JOLLYDOLLY in reply tosusanclark

It is easily done, as I have got older, I question myself all time, especially if I get distracted, also the main reason I use a dosage box now.

When my little sister lived with us (she passed away in May), she also had a thyroid condition and her dose was different to mine, so I had to be extra careful.

:)

Susan1233711 profile image
Susan1233711

I wouldn’t worry about it. As your aloud to go on holiday for up too 7 days with out your Levo, I too am on 125 Levo :)

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toSusan1233711

I'd notice a single day without. The mere idea of having to go without for seven days is horrible. Yes - that sort of thing is said by doctors, and there are many here who seem incredibly unaffected by missing tablets. Others notice within a day.

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