Does MSM interfere with levothyroxine?

[Jocelin]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if taking pure MSM powder interferes with levothyroxine when taken at the same time?

Thanks!

Jocelin

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

You shouldn't take anything at the same time as Levo. Leave at least 2 hours.

[fiftyone in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have been taking MSM powder in water with lemon juice with my levo for past 10 years. Can you, or someone else, tell me what effect it is likely to have, rather than just say 'don't do it'. I also take one or two other tablets at the same time. Totally and utterly impractical having such a rigid drawn out timetable for taking tablets. I don't want to be popping tablets at different and often very inconvenient times during the day.

[Jocelin in reply to fiftyone]

Thanks, fiftyone, for sharing your experience and thoughts. Good to hear! Please see my reply to SeasideSusy. Is it your experience that MSM does not affect your wellbeing on levo?

I want to use it to try alleviate/improve my joints (OA) and my thinned and dry fuzzy hair. May I ask you why you use MSM and what results you experienced? Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fiftyone]

It's well known that many substances/supplements/medications interfere with the absorption of Levo. Google "what can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine?".

I haven't read every article on this and haven't seen MSM in particular. However, becasue we want our hormone replacement to work as well as possible, it's best to avoid anything that can interfere with it so the best advice, always given here, is to take Levo on it's own, with a glass of water, and no other supplements or medication for at least two hours, and we know that some need four hours.

Taking certain supplements at the same time as each other can also be a problem, for example, iron affects the absorption of everything else so it's recommended that iron be taken two hours away from other supplements.

[Jocelin in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie. I asked this especially because I have read that MSM is a very bio/body-identical matter, and it would even improve uptake of nutrients. Maybe it would also improve absorption of levo. Therefore I was wondering if someone has scientific information on this, or experience with this.

[fiftyone in reply to Jocelin]

I've used MSM powder to relieve osteo arthritis pain in my fingers. It has worked for many years, taking away the soreness and discomfort. More recently, my fingers have started to feel pain again, but I am convinced the MSM powder is helpful and I continue to use it. I think it would be worse without it. I have no idea if it affects my levo. I do know that my levo test results constantly annoy doctors, because my TSH is hugely suppressed and my T4 is usually way over the range. However, my T3 is normal and I feel very well. I have no idea whether the MSM affects my tests results and would very much like to know from an expert.

[JCMK in reply to fiftyone]

What is MSM?

[fiftyone in reply to JCMK]

it's a naturally occurring source of sulphur, one of the major building blocks of glycosaminoglycans. (so says the description on the bottle)

[JCMK in reply to fiftyone]

Thank you. I suffer with pains in my hands, I might have a look at this.

[fiftyone in reply to JCMK]

I have one sister whom it has helped and another whom it hasn't. Worth a try.

[Jocelin in reply to fiftyone]

Thanks, fiftyone. It's very comforting to read your positive experience with MSM for your joints. I hope it will work for me too, especially because I prefer such simple, natural supplements like pure MSM. I have found good improvement of my carpal tunnel syndrome with magnesium bisglycinate powder and of my constipation with potato starch powder. MSM would be a 3rd 'simple medicine' ;-).

My TSH is suppressed also for decades. I'm on levo and liotyronine. My new endocrinologist isn't the most nice guy, but at least he understands the suppressed TSH. Endo's I had earlier always were freaky obsessed with the TSH and therefore I searched and found one that has a bit more human experience ;-).

My FT4 and T3 are at midrange. The new endo does not want to further increase my meds (he did so in December and finds it sufficient now). I still have some hypo symptoms and that's why I search for relieve via supplements like MSM.

Who knows sooner or later there will be more info on MSM and levo.

Wonderful to be able to learn and share with you and others here, thanks!

[Hoopybunny in reply to fiftyone]

Apologies for such a late question but I just found you. How much MSM do you take?

[fiftyone in reply to Hoopybunny]

About half a teaspoon daily

[Hoopybunny in reply to fiftyone]

Thank you so much!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jocelin]

My reply to fiftyone covers this I think.

[Aurealis]

By now your Levo dose is probably adjusted to the MSM at the same time. You sound as if you think you’re undertreated though, as many thyroid patients do.