Levothyroxine 50 mcg & Sertraline (Zoloft)

[Pumpkin04]

Hi, I have managed to get a private prescription for LDN and Levothyroxine. I have received the Levothyroxine this morning however upon reading the patient information leaflet it mentions that there could be a contra indication with sertraline? I have rung the clinic and am waiting for them to get back to me but wondered if anyone else can advise? Thanks

[MaisieGray]

Are you sure it says that it is contraindicated, which has a specific meaning; and not that it says something like "the following may affect the way levothyroxine works"? That is not the same as being contraindicated, and means that if you need to take both meds, you take them separately, with 2 or 4 hrs separating them as appropriate. Being contraindicated means something should not be taken, rather than may be taken in an advised way.

[Pumpkin04 in reply to MaisieGray]

Ah right sorry I thought it meant the same thing. Yes it does say that Sertraline may affect how the thyroxine works. What would you suggest? I usually take my sertraline, LDN and all vits in the morning

[MaisieGray in reply to Pumpkin04]

When I started to accumulate different meds 10 or 11 yrs ago, I took them all in the morning away from my T4 and T3 which I take at night. Then I started a particular beta blocker that has an antithyroid effect, which I should take four times throughout the day, so it became even more useful to have my thyroid meds kept to night time dosing, but even that was difficult so I now take it in two lots of two tablets, and well away from my T4/T3. So it's possible to separate tablets by switching things around, especially to nighttime dosing, but if you don't want to do that, and need to take your SSRI in the morning, I would suggest you ensure several hours separation to be safe. However, a 2009 study by de Carvalho et al, concluded that in fact, neither sertraline nor fluoxetine caused any clinically significant changes in those patients tested with hypothyroidism, nor changes in autoimmunity.

[Pumpkin04 in reply to MaisieGray]

Thank you - I'll take all my thyroid stuff in the morning with my vits and BP meds then the sertraline in the evening.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Pumpkin04]

I'll take all my thyroid stuff in the morning with my vits and BP meds

You need to take your Levo 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements to avoid problems with absorption. Some need 4 hours, in particular iron, Vit D, magnesium, calcium. Also remember to take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with water only and water only to drink on hour each side.