Should I take my Levothyroxine at night and how... - Thyroid UK

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Should I take my Levothyroxine at night and how do I switch?

barleyblue profile image
8 Replies

Hi Everyone

I have been on Levothyroxine for 2 months and it seems to be affecting my sleeping.

I am waking very early and drifting in and out of very light sleep from about 4am onwards.

So I am wondering if I switch to taking my tablet tonight before bed is that ok even though I took a tablet at 4am this morning or do I need to miss a night/morning and take a tablet tomorrow night?

Hope that makes sense and thank you for any replies.

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8 Replies
jimh111 profile image
jimh111

You can switch from morning to evening doses of levothyroxine (and vice versa) without problem. Due to the long half-life of thyroxine it will make very little difference.

It looks like you are undermedicated. Are you still on 25 mcg?

barleyblue profile image
barleyblue in reply tojimh111

Hi jimh111

Thank you for your reply. I have been on 50mg for 2 weeks now. Not really seen any improvement although do feel slightly better for the odd hour then crash back down with tiredness but due to see an Endo in 7 weeks who is going to run other tests on other glands as well as review my thyroid so I’m feeling ok about that. Thank you.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you took this mornings Levothyroxine at 4am, just take next dose of Levothyroxine before bed

Are you improving your low vitamin D from Post about recent Medichecks results?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low vitamin D can affect low sleep

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

What brand is your Levothyroxine?

Has gluten free diet helped at all to improve bloating yet?

barleyblue profile image
barleyblue in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slowdragon

Thank you for your reply.

I am using a better you Vit D spray 3000iu spray (3 sprays) which my Endo suggested just one spray per day to get 1000iu per day. I take this at tea time with my iron tablet.

My 50mg Levothyroxine is made by actavis.

Bloating was worse to begin with on gluten free but seems to have calmed down a little bit in the last few days but still getting banging headaches.

I am thinking of going down the functional route in a couple of months if gluten free doesn’t make a big difference to my antibodies. I am really interested to see if l can control this illness by changing my diet. That would be perfect 😊

On a light note........Are you sure it's the medication that's waking you and not the birds? My neighbour and I ( both hypothyroid) have commented on the dawn chorus that starts approx.4.00am every morning at the moment.!! It's that time of year 😊

barleyblue profile image
barleyblue in reply to

Haha! Maybe 😊

Hi. I have slept badly for as long as I can remember. Three days ago I switched to taking my thyroxine at night before bed - don't eat or drink apart from water for 4 hours prior. I can only say I have had the best 3 nights of sleep I can remember!!! I will certainly stick with this routine and hope its the answer to my insommnia. Worth a try for those suffering with sleep problems.

barleyblue profile image
barleyblue in reply to

That’s good to hear! I must admit I woke early this morning but managed to go back to sleep again so fingers crossed it will work 😊

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