Is it correct taking Levothyroxine at night leave a two hour gap.

[Peanut31]

I’m thinking of taking my Levothyroxine at night rather than in the morning.

The reason is I’m still waking up feeling really tired and my temperature is not improving much, my other symptoms are getting better. I’m currently on 100mcg of Levothyroxine.

For a few days when I needed a trip to the toilet in the early hours of the morning I took my Levothyroxine instead of my normal 6am.

I noticed those days in the morning I didn’t feel as worn out and I was more refreshed and my temperature was higher.

I’ve been reading several thyroid books that state it is more beneficial to take at night.

Obviously, I don’t want to jeopardise getting another increase (due July) but, is it you take it 2 hours after eating and then make sure you don’t eat 2 hours after taking it?.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Huzat]

Take it at night just before you plan to go to sleep.

[Peanut31 in reply to Huzat]

The problem is I have a hot chocolate before I go to bed and sometimes an apple.

I was looking for the time scale between eating.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[helvella Administrator in reply to Peanut31]

Try having the hot chocolate a little earlier? I suggest two hours would be good, how about trying that for a while, then reducing to one hour and seeing if it makes any difference to you?

[Peanut31 in reply to helvella]

Thanks

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[shaws Administrator in reply to Peanut31]

Stomach has to be empty, so if you've had a meal before that usually takes about 2 to 3 hours to digest. If it is something light about 1 to 2 hours (I believe).

Remember to miss this dose if having a test next a.m. and take afterwards an night dose as usual.

[Peanut31 in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[helvella Administrator]

I take mine at bed-time - always have so no basis for comparison.

Remember that the effect of taking a tablet takes time. Maximum FT4 typically around two hours after taking it. Maximum FT3 typically around 48 hours after. Obviously you have to first take, then absorb, then convert for the FT3 level to rise.

At the same time, I have many times seen an almost immediate impact (within 15 minutes) of taking levothyroxine in someone.

Looks like there are, for want of a better description, several waves of effects from levothyroxine. One impact I noticed was that I almost immediately started to sleep better which helped with how I felt during the day. Before levothyroxine I would often fall asleep but then wake an hour or so later - and be unable to get back to sleep. And on the very rare occasion I didn't take my tablet, I'd sometimes realise as I lay awake.

[Huzat]

Improvements suggested in taking thyroid at night were for dosing at bedtime. Perhaps you could trial it for at least two weeks forgoing coco and apple.

[jimh111]

I wouldn't worry about having hot chocolate and an apple, just take your levothyroxine at bedtime. The chocolate and apple might have a very small effect on absorption but it will be consistent from week to week and your levothyroxine dose can be titrated accordingly. A few percent difference in absorption really doesn't matter. The only time to worry is if you are on a high dose of levothyroxine (e.g 250 mcg) and your fT4 is still a little low. Some of the studies on levothyroxine absorption use a single massive dose which doesn't reflect what is happening to real patients on moderate doses that are much easier to absorb.

[Peanut31 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks jimh111

Greatly appreciated

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Nanaedake in reply to Peanut31]

SlowDragon recently posted new NHS advice that levothyroxine should be taken 4 hours apart from calcium rich food. It seems a bit excessive but maybe it's necessary? To observe this gap is difficult for most people I should think. I've always taken my levo in the morning up until now and left an hour until eating. I'm experimenting with taking at night but as I eat late, I have to wake in the night to take it. I hope you find a time that suits.