Taking Levo

[Evyb]

A while ago a read it was best to take our Medication at night and have been doing so. Any thoughts on when best to take ?x

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I take mine as I go to bed.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just make sure that you follow the normal advice for taking Levo, i.e. on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, and water only for an hour either side, as absorption will be affected. If taking at night and your main meal is in the evening, it may be better to leave 3 hours before taking Levo. Take any other medication and supplements 2 hours away from Levo, some need 4 hours.

I take mine in the early hours of the morning when I regularly need the bathroom, so about 3-6am normally, that keeps it well away from everything.

[Cozmokaz in reply to SeasideSusie]

I do the same as you

[Doublevision in reply to Cozmokaz]

Me too

[Santricoclou in reply to SeasideSusie]

So do I

[K80BCR in reply to SeasideSusie]

So do I. Between 3:30-5:30am. I just keep them by my bed and take them when I go to the loo. Works better for me. As away from night meds & able to have morning coffee.

[janm3309 in reply to SeasideSusie]

same here, 3am call to the loo fits in well, then i can have tea on waking!

[greygoose]

Whenever it suits you.

[Evyb]

Thanks for your input. Seeing the GP Wednesday following blood tests. Can't go on feeling so wretched much longer, just existing. Interesting reading the article in The Express re the survey done in New England about the usefulness of Levothyroxine. If I read it correctly the results were poor. Any thoughts appreciated. Evyb

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

When was dose last increased?

Add results and ranges if you have them

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies if not been done

See from previous posts you have had issues with vertigo, this is often linked to low B12 ....extremely common problem when hypothyroid

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo. Avoiding all soya)

[MaisieGray]

The best time to take it the time that suits you best. 😊

[littlecandle]

If I take levo at night, I cannot sleep, so I take it in the morning. And I break all the rules by having coffee within 5 minutes of taking it. I always have done. I was never told not to do this and I am not changing now.

[GardenerSue]

You should take your Levothyroxine on rising in the morning at least 30 minutes before breakfast or any other medication. This appears to be the latest advise.

[bantam12 in reply to GardenerSue]

Levo can be taken morning or night, it what suits the individual patient that counts, for me taking it at night increases my T3 level.

[GardenerSue in reply to bantam12]

Interesting. I’ve just put a post out regarding my current frustrations etc. I was advised by a consultant endocrinologist to take my medication on rising ( I had taken it at night for 16 years! ) because it ought to be keeping me awake. Having done this two years ago, I have been experiencing issues maintaining a satisfactory functioning T4. I wonder if I should experiment with taking it at night again?

[bantam12 in reply to GardenerSue]

Most Consultant endocrinologists know diddly squat about any of it, if taking it in the morning isn't working for you then revert to what does work, you must do what's right for you 🙂

[Maggiemay12 in reply to bantam12]

Why does taking it at night increase the T3 levels

[bantam12 in reply to Maggiemay12]

Better absorption I guess, might not be the same for everyone but works for me.

[janm3309]

I used to but my GP said the Levo would be giving optimum benefit whilst asleep, early morning is best.

[Chelt16]

Yep I'm a middle of the night person too. I have it all set up so I can find tab in the dark! Otherwise I can't take other medication in morning or evening.

[Evyb]

Thanks Slow Dragon.

I will see how I get on on Wednesday when I see medic as the results will be back by then and will report back and thanks everyone for your support. Evy.

[Clarrisa]

Does anybody split their dose & take half in the morning & the rest in the evening?

[GHughes2]

I've always taken mine at night 2-3 hours after eating. I read several recent articles on better absorption at night.

[yesendi]

I take mine right at midnight-12:00 AM on the dot, crazy right? but it works for me the best. I have absorption issues and my diet is high in fiber/calcium and some iron and all three are known to diminish Levo absorption and should be consumed at least 4 hrs before/after taking Levo. Taking it at midnight gives me 6 hrs on each end so food won't interfere with it...so far so good.

[Evyb in reply to yesendi]

Don't know where my reply to you went !

Just said saw the Quack about my exhaustion etc. He said my Thyroid level was almost normal at 25,, normal evidently is 24 and would suspend my prescription,. I told him he was taking my life line away he replied that he would reduce the dose in that case, I replied don't do it, so he didn't ! Should I get a Private opinion ?

Slow Dragon, any thoughts ? Evy