When to take meds

[queridalady]

Hi everyone,

I would be interested in your thoughts on how to space out meds? I used to take my thyroxine first thing but for the last year I have had to take low dose omeprazole (PPI) which has to be first thing so I decided to move thyroxine to night-time along with my contraceptive pill. Then there are the iron tablets which I take around lunchtime and if course all the other stuff when I can fit it in. Probiotics etc. I can't ditch the PPI unfortunately, I have had all the diagnostic testing and my valve is weak. I only need to take a low dose though which is a better option than major surgery.

Could I be doing anything better?

Thanks xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still on 75mcg Levothyroxine plus 20mcg T3?

If so do you take T3 as single dose or split it?

Levothyroxine must be taken on its own, not with contraceptive pill

As you have been on omeprazole for a very long time low B12 and magnesium are common

What supplements do you currently take?

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

Presumably you have Hashimoto's? Diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Are you on dairy free diet. Can see you had post nasal drip, which is common with dairy intolerance

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[queridalady in reply to SlowDragon]

HI Slow dragon, I think I need to update my profile! T3 was taken off me three years ago due to cost. I take 125mg of Levo. I had low B12 long before being on PPI and I supplement with a spray and it is at a good level. Also had magnesium tested at the end of last year and it was fine. I had all antibody tests done during the first year of being diagnosed underactive and they were always negative. I also supplement with spray Vit D. other supplements I take on and off like zinc but nothing regular. So if I cant take levo in the morning or in the evening its going to be hard to avoid taking it before or after food I don't eat dairy converted to almond milk a long time ago and never looked back.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to queridalady]

Did symptoms get worse after T3 was stopped?

If you are dairy intolerant you likely need the T3

Might be worth revisiting getting T3 prescribed on NHS

Acid reflux is common with hypothyroidism and food intolerances. Did it Improve when on T3?

Can you not take The Pill in morning?

[queridalady in reply to SlowDragon]

Symptoms got better after stopping T3 as they would only give me a small amount of it so I never felt well whilst taking it. I think I felt more stable on T4 and less up and down. I don't convert well so am always in the bottom, half of the range for T3 and T4. I'm not going to progress T3 again as its an absolute no way you are having it in my region sadly. My acid reflex started a good while after finishing T3. I suppose I could take the pill in the morning but the PPI will affect that to. But the THyroxine is more important. I will perhaps have to take the pill during the day some time. Thanks for your help x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to queridalady]

Many CCG areas are having to reconsider prescribing NHS T3

Roughly where in the UK are you?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Especially helpful in argument for getting T3 is if you have the common DIO2 gene variation

Perhaps worth considering getting tested

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Would strongly suspect acid reflux is due to low FT3 and still being inadequately treated and therefore still hypothyroid

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

[queridalady in reply to SlowDragon]

Huge thanks for all your help. I have a weak LES. I had manometry and 24hr PH testing last year. Could FT3 cause this? The Endo I had would have taken me off T3 anyway if cost hadn’t been the issue as my TSH was suppressed which he wasn’t happy with. We all know that T3 causes this but he wouldn’t listen. 😔. I’m in Yorkshire xx