When can you eat after taking levothyroxine ?

[To66tse75]

Hello and good afternoon,

I am very new on this forum however, I have read through quite interesting discussions and learning a lot about different topics.

There is one that I have not yet come across henced the above question. I will be most grateful if anyone can advise.

Merci

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

To66tse75

Hi and welcome to the forum.

When can you eat after taking levothyroxine ?

Quick answer - one hour later. Calcium rich foods it's said to leave 4 hours.

Levo should be taken on it's own, on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food and with water only and water only for one hour either side. Certain drinks affect it's absorption, eg fizzy drinks, caffeine containing drinks like tea and coffee, milk should apparently be 4 hours away.

[To66tse75 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi !

Thank you for such a quick response.

Grateful indeed.

Have a blissful day

[Tginger]

Hi

My UK GPs (I've been to several) never mentioned anything about food/drinks in relation to taking levo. However, when I was to a private endocrinologist in Europe, she said:

1. Levo should be taken 30-60 minutes before breakfast.

2. Caffeinated drinks allowed 60 minutes after taking levo.

3. Milk products allowed 4 hours after taking levo.

She said it ok to have porridge or cereal (no milk of course) for breakfast, but I remember reading that the best thing to have for breakfast when taking levo is eggs.

[Judithdalston in reply to Tginger]

Strangely having two prescriptions from Gp currently for 100 mcg levothyroxin, and 25 mcg...the 100 one says 'one to be taken in morning', the 25 'one to be taken each morning at least 30 mins before breakfast, caffeine containing drinks or other medication'. Although been on levothyroxin upto 150 mcg for twelve years it was only earlier this year had the 25 mcg added and noticed these 'new' instructions. Asked the Gp pharmacist why both didn't have these instructions - she said it was due to whether a drop down box was 'ticked'...so I wonder whether new patients on starter dose of 25 mcg (?50 mcg too) always got this advice, or was it solely due to one doctor being on the ball? Easy enough instruction to tell any levothyroxin users surely, even if could be a bit more cautious and suggested 60 mins. before eating/drinking, but I didn't know for 12 years, and probably suffered the consequences.

[Tginger in reply to Judithdalston]

Oh no! That's a shame your doctor didn't tell you before. They must be giving these instructions to every patient as if we don't follow the rules levo won't be absorbed enough and therefore won't do its job.

[Hidden in reply to Judithdalston]

I wouldn't be too concerned about it as when my Endo asked me what time I take my thyroxine and I told him between 6.30-7.00am,he asked why I take it so early ?

He then told me that it only takes 20-25 mts for Levo to be absorbed.

However,I appreciate that is not the usual information given here so have never questioned it and tend to leave a little more time before eating breakfast.

I only eat porridge for breakfast though,as recommended by the British Heart Foundation.

[Judithdalston in reply to Hidden]

At least he is telling his patients...I took mine for 12 years with breakfast, other meds, coffee etc...and learnt unless you can guarantee you are getting same dose on exactly the same food / drink daily you can be in trouble as for eg calcium binds round the hormone replacement, but will vary daily if you change your eating habits eg on hols, or weekends. So think T4/T3 best well away from everything else to try to moderate any variability!

[Hidden in reply to Judithdalston]

Yes......I am on T4/T3 too,but only 10mcgs T3 which is why I leave a bigger break before eating....need to get maximum benefit from a small dose.

He did though also recommend Vitamin D along with a slice of buttered toast as it is fat soluble.....good advice for me as I now have much stronger nails.

I also followed advice here by taking it along with K2.

I must admit my Endo was recommended to me as one of the best in my area.

I hope things have improved for you with better knowledge.It makes me mad that we waste so much time under medicated .When first diagnosed in 2002 I was left

on 50 mcgs levo for 10 years before seeing my Endo .

[jimh111]

I've taken my levo about 5 minutes before cerials or porridge with milk. Your blood test results will show if you are having absorption problems. Coffee can have a big effect on levothyroxine absorption. Perhaps the best solution is to take it at bedtime as not many people eat or have coffee then.

[To66tse75]

Thanks so much everyone I appreciate your support.

T