I've been on Throxine for years 150mcg(75yrs). I always took it on waking, had a coffee, BP meds & PPI &breakfast. On reading comments, I started to take it 4am(ish)... but have started with sleep difficulties...some nights only 2hrs...bright eyed & bushy tailed ALL night.. then so tired, depressed & sluggish all day!
Today I've decided to take it on waking, but leave coffee & breakfast, BP meds until an hour later..& PPI 4 hrs. after.
Do you think it was taking the Thyroxine during the night that has caused the insomnia/disturbed sleep...
Or... has my Throxine been boosted to 150mcg BECAUSE the effect was reduced because if my having breakfast etc immediately after the Thyroxine...in other words...I don't need the 150mcg?
Written by
PolyannaYorkshire
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Bran and coffee in particular can affect the absorption of levothryoxine. I would consider taking it at bedtime and then after a few weeks ask your doctor for a blood test to see if your levels have changed.
Possibly taking it at 4am might be disrupting your sleep, even if you are not having to wake yourself up the change in routine might reset your body clock. The need to take levothyroxine away from food can be exaggerated, as long as you are not having bran, coffee or a large meal perhaps an hour or two might be OK. It might have a small effect on absorption but this can be compensated by dose adjustment.
Thanks Jim. I tried at night but read you had to take it on an empty stomach...hem... I'm a 9pm guzzler so thought I'd try during the night..but phew... couldn't get to sleep & then awake most of night..so thought T.level too high.
You must have a better GP than me. He wouldn't do a test level if I asked... he'd just say, it's not 12 months since your last one. I've not been referred to Endo...yet my mother was hypothyroid, my son & one of my daughters!!
Have you considered Private Testing through Thyroid UK ? That way you can see WIGO - what is going on ! Low T3 can cause issues with blood pressure and stomach issues ...
Don't test until you have been 6-8 weeks on new regime
But yes if previously taking with food and now taking on empty stomach you may need small dose decrease
First step is to get full Thyroid and vitamin testing privately
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
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
Long term ppi use can significantly lower vitamin levels
Thank you so much...very helpful... I will certainly follow your advice. I'll go for the vit one too as I have been on PPI 30mcg for yonks.
It's hard to believe but I had 2 gastroscopies this year (had gallbladder removed 12 years ago) and the 2nd/final test showed less inflammation but said swimming in bile/acid....I have an excellent diet...I'm not living on fish & chips...and that was the only thing suggested by the gastroscopy technologist...and my GP..."Dont' eat such a fatty diet!!" and the PPI was doubled from 15 to 30!!
Thank you so much Slow Dragon... I'd never heard of the magnesium prob. in the article...I have to see the practice nurse next week so I'll draw it to her attention... I'm taking myself off the PPIs...but struggling with the excess bile prob. When I had my gall bladder removed he said he dropped a stone & wasn't able to find it so he's possibly damaged something 🙄!
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High blood pressure and pulse following TT
High TSH & High Free T4
TSH ridiculously high
High ferritin levels & off thyroxine
