Hi guys,
Me again 🙄 since going gf and starting Levothyroxine I’m finding it seriously hard to know what to eat for breakfast... if anyone can share with me what they eat I’d be grateful, I take my levo in the morning so can’t have anything with high calcium and also don’t like to eat a lot of processed gf products but am running out of ideas what to have 😩 to the point I’ve started missing breakfast 😩😩
Can you not take your levothyroxine at bedtime?
I could but I’m a notorious evening snacker and can’t be trusted to adhere to the time gap 🤣 x
Bran and coffee substantially reduce levothyroxine absorption (as do some drugs and supplements such as calcium tablets). Large meals reduce absorption but I don't think snacks will matter much if you leave a little while. I've taken my levothyroxine two minutes before my morning porridge with milk + orange juice and never noticed any effect. I also take it just before breakfast on holidays which will include eggs and bacon if available.
As long as you are not having a large meal any small effects on absorption will be compensated for when your dose is titrated. The problem with food is it reduces acidity and so reduces levothyroxine absorption, so it's a matter of degree. A few people may notice a difference but most patients are OK provided you are consistent, e.g. having much the same light breakfast each day.
Does the same guidance apply to liothyronine, or is that a bit more relaxed wrt caffeine, meals, calcium-rich foods? What about supplements?
There is no research into how food affects liothyronine absorption. Liothyronine is much better absorbed but I would assume it can be affected in much the same way. The honest answer is nobody knows but I would also take liothyronine away from food and supplements.
Levothyroxine tablets require stomach acidity to break down the tablets, the same principle probably applies to the liothyronine tablets.
Here is a link about the drug for members to read
bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/liothy...
Sadly the BNF document does not say anything about how to take liothyronine, with or without food etc. The same applies to the Patient Information Leaflets that come with the tablets.
One point to note this statement is wrong: -
20–25 micrograms of liothyronine sodium is equivalent to approximately 100 micrograms of levothyroxine sodium.
20 micrograms of liothyronine is equivalent to about 60 micrograms of levothyroxine. See ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... .
Endocrinologists confuse the relative potency of T3 and T4 in the blood with taking the hormone as tablets. When looking at potency of tablets you have to factor in the different absorption rates and half-lives of L-T3 and L-T4.
I've pointed this out to the BNF but they have not even acknowledge my communication.
They wouldn't unless you were medically qualified.
And even then they probably wouldn't as it would mean admitting a mistake
I think when members suggest taking thyroid meds away from certain vitamins - food etc - it is an attempt to help people who are struggling with optomising their thyroid levels. When all is well then I guess your approach is fine. Most people arrive here with very poor results ... so any little tip may help them.
Thank you 
Its the first Ive heard of this problem. I eat a good breakfast and take my thyroxine at this time of day. Should I take it at bedtime if stomach acidity is important. I already take my bisoprolol pravastatin and telmisartan before going to sleep.
Hi, I think you may have intended this question for jimh111 , who made the comment about stomach acidity. I have no medical training. You can always check drug interactions online, see examples below. But probably best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
drugs.com/drug-interactions...
drugs.com/drug-interactions...
drugs.com/drug-interactions...
pharmacytimes.com/publicati...
Could you take your Levo upon rising, then delay breakfast by 30-60 minutes? If you are optimally treated -- feeling well and good lab results -- then perhaps you've arrived at a dose that takes into account whatever degree your absorption is affected by taking it with breakfast.
If you are not having problems with absorption stick to your current routine. If you are poorly absorbing your thyroid medication then you may need to change your routine.
Porridge - made with oats and water with sugar sprinkled on. make a couple of days at a time and microwave platefuls.
Eggs - good for B12
Fruit compote
Ah, that’s a good idea... I had put porridge in the no pile as I always have it with milk! I’ll give that a go in the morning, thankyou xx
In Scotland we put a pinch (or more) of salt in with the water so it can almost be a savoury dish! I like mine with honey or or sugar. Used to live on it when I was so hypo I was all but stuck in bed.
I do like porridge and there’s so many ways to make it taste different isn’t there! I’ll give it a go in the morning with some honey or maple syrup, thankyou x
Just another thought depending on how your day usually goes..have you thought about taking your daily dose at 4pm or thereabouts? If you stop eating etc 2pm and don't eat till 6pm then you are pretty good for absorption.
I have always split my levo dose because it suits my body better and 4pm - 5pm ish is one of my doses.
The amount of milk you're going to use for your porridge is hardy going to affect your levo one hour after taking it.
Oh really? I’ve been really paranoid about the whole thing tbh, and since I have milk in decaf coffee I worry’s it’ll be too much x
I doubt it it would be.
Thankyou! I’ll try it with the water anyway but at least I will feel better about using milk occasionally if I hate the water lol x
I have my oats with almond milk or oat milk and honey. Very yummy!
I make a muesli/ porridge with gf oats, chia seeds, whole linseeds, raisins and sunflower seeds adding cold water the night before or boiling water poured on about half an hour before eating (usually put the sunflower seeds and raisins in after the boiling water). It was recommended but a nutritionist and l find it is great for my gut health and regularity. It doesn’t need any sugar as the large raisins l use add the sweetness. I eat it an hour after taking Levo in the morning and have a drink of fresh lemon, turmeric and ginger just before to get my stomach acid going (a few slices of each with boiling water drunk with a straw to protect my teeth!).
Just make sure they’re GF oats. You probably already know that oats are easily contaminated so you need to buy ones that claim not to be.
Thanks Jazzw luckily I posted about going gf previously and someone did let me know which is lucky as i would definitely of eaten any oats thinking they were ok!! Xx
What can they be contaminated with?
Contaminated with wheat gluten because oats are generally processed in the same facilities as wheat.
Thank you.
And rogue wheat can grow in the oat field :o)
Did not know that. Thanks for sharing.
Get your head off what you 'should" eat for breakfast.
Egg and chips
Curry
Sausage and ratatouille
Eat a normal meal, forget it's breakfast
That’s what I do! 😊
Ha, ha, I remember my husband being shocked when I had some lovely soup for breakfast. I agree, I don’t see why breakfast should be restricted to certain things.
I mostly have an omelette - with mushrooms or blueberries, very quick and easy, plus half a pink grapefruit.
some of us have to be careful with grapefruit as it interferes with some drugs
Are you on a special diet? I usually have either bran flakes with fruit or a couple pieces of toast occasionally because I don't like bread. As long as it is an hour after you have taken your levothyroxine to give it chance to be absorbed.
I’m gluten and soya free, I haven’t really found many gf bread alternatives and they are so expensive I’ve been just avoiding them because most of them taste rubbish and end up wasted lol x
Ok ... I tried a gluten free diet and it did not reduce my very high antibodies so I just eat a healthy diet now. I don't each much sugar or fast foods and I am feeling ok at the moment. I do know a gluten free diet does work for some but it didn't for me. x
B Free brown seeded GF bread makes excellent toast
I make my own muesli using Certified GF oats ....add mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruit.
Plus fresh banana and cranberries on the morning. Add Kefir too sometimes as well as milk
Chopped Brazil nuts and walnuts. Raisins, figs etc
Seeds - Sunflower, linseed, pumpkin
Tip a bag of GF oats in large mixing bowl ....add your choice of extras. Stir. Store in a large tin. Makes about 25-30 servings
Fab idea and while I was reading that I also thought I could make flapjacks for on the go!! I know you said about that bread before but they didn’t have it in tescos when I went shopping, I’ll head out in search today I think xx
If you're in the UK, have you tried the Genius Multi-seeded GF bread? (pink label)
It seems to be the only one that can be eaten 'fresh' i.e. not toasted and can be used for sandwiches.
I agree with you about the rubbish GF breads that are available. I really think that the supermarket executives should be made to sit down and eat some of the products that are on the shelf! Especially the own brand ones like Sainsburys and Tesco. Those products would never see the light of day again. And that they cost and arm and a leg too is outrageous.
As Redditch says forget it’s your breakfast and could be any meal. We are primed to eat certain things for breakfast which on the whole aren’t v healthy - processed cereals, toast etc. It also means you can get in a good proportion of your 5 a day.
I eat boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, warmed up veg left over, avocados are brilliant, halloumi dry fried in the pan. Today I’ll be having calves liver, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach! V good for low iron levels. I sometimes have a can of fish eg sardines or mackerel with scrambled egg and vegetables. Chopped up carrots, celery etc.
I wouldn’t worry about having dairy if it’s one hour after your levo. So that means yoghurt and fruit is good. You could always use plant based yoghurt if it worries you.
I can’t digest porridge v well even the gluten free type and I also find because it’s very carb heavy i can feel hungry soon after especially when it’s been doused in honey!
Best think I ever bought was a nutri bullet. Had it almost 8 years now. Breakfast yesterday was a pear, kale and a piece of ginger all whizzed up.
Today it’ll be coconut milk, a banana, milled flax seeds ( Lidl) and cinnamon.
There are hundreds of variations and keeps hunger away until lunch time.
I would not last until lunchtime if I had that and would end up munching a biscuit or cracker. I don't usually snack between meals but at weekends I do like a bit of a pig out. I am thinking at the moment bacon, eggs and a grilled tomato .... yum!
My usual breakfast consists either of an omelette with ham and cheese, with some vegetables on the side, or Greek yoghurt with home made granola (made with various nuts and seeds with virgin coconut oil) with berries, half a grapefruit, and two boiled eggs.
I only recently started taking my thyroid meds (used to be on NDT, now on levo only) an hour before breakfast, as it says 30 minutes in the PIL for all brands of NDT or T4 I've used. But, back when I only left half an hour between meds and breakfast, I cannot say I noticed any difference.
If you leave enough time between meds and food, there shouldn't be any problem.
I agree Rosie it’s tricky. I do think milk affects absorption even if I drink it later in the day but I could be crazy. Some great suggestions above though. For me I’m not worrying about gluten and am really trying to avoid dairy and caffeine. Guess I’ve just got to be more organised and spend more time preparing food instead of eating on the run.
I must admit I’ve really struggled, being newly diagnosed and underdosed I’m still suffering numerous symptoms so I want to help absorb the levo as much as possible. Im awful at food prep so I also need to get super organised, life is busy when I’m well tho so it’s also finding the time lol x
Rice crispies! Lots of vitamins 👍🏼
I recently had coco pops when I was in hotel ... I got some strange looks because they were meant for children lol
People can be so conservative can’t they😉
Hopefully the coco-pops brought out your inner child?
GHughes2, I’ve just started taking GF rice crispies to get some milk into my diet for the calcium, I already eat lots of green leafy veg but never any milk or yoghurt. Due to have a DXA scan next month - following the very annoying broken wrist.
I’m so hoping the results might show that all the vitamin D rich foods and daily capsule I eat will have compensated for my lack of dairy. 🤞
Microwave ovens - any nutrients in your food will be killed, so imagine what the micro - waves do to you?
I'm GF too and have the same issues as you. I have now slipped into a fairly regular routine of alternating between, a) an egg, two rashers of bacon and mushrooms with some juice, or b) scrambled egg on GF bread with grapefruit or c) for a quick one, a banana or pear and an Ella GF Baked Oat Bar. Also have the same issue fitting in iron and vitamin D...bit of a nightmare isn't it? I haven't been a good eater, no appetite, but with routine it's helping.
I usually have GF porridge with yummy oat milk, fruits and maple syrup on top 😋
Sometimes I skip breakfast ( if I get up late cos tired) and have a nutritious brunch. Usually spinach, lentils, sun dried toms, pickles, other veggies, olives, avocado and Vegan dressing 😋 I take my Igennus B bits, vitamin D, Ashwaghanda and probiotics !!
Simple pancakes made with an egg whisked up with a fork and a banana mashed with a fork and fried in coconut oil are quick, simple and delicious. You can add date or maple syrup, fruit, yoghurt etc.
Sounds delicious
I find it really tricky not having cheese for breakfast. Used to be my staple! Figured not a good idea as really pretty high in calcium. Often have eggs, fried, scrambled. Avocado on GF toast. Have made the Doves Farm free from flour, 'Brown Bread Flour' yesterday. Pretty easy to bake and one packet has enough for two loafs. Intend to slice and freeze and then just pop in the toaster. Possibly better and cheaper than a bought GF bread. Another breakfast favourite is berry compote. Buy the cheapest frozen berries mix from Sainsburies and cook with a little bit of sugar and then keep in the fridge. With a bit of cream ( hoping that is not too much calcium) or any dairy free cream. Good luck!
GF pancakes (I use coconut milk) with fresh lemon juice and a little sugar/honey. Obviously you could have any topping, including savoury.
A full English (or Scottish) would set you up for the day, or an omelette. Or you could just carry on with the intermittent fasting. Sausages, bacon, steak and eggs, kedgeree - the possibilities are endless.
I have bacon and eggs most breakfasts - occasionally adding some avocado or having smoked salmon or an omelette instead. I am on the Autoimmune Protocol (so avoid all grains including oats) but have no issues with eggs so I find this is the easiest but also the best. I find it fills me up, helps keep the weight down and also helps me not miss having bread for breakfast. I never miss breakfast - it's the most important meal of the day!
What’s the autoimmune protocol? Can you send me a list of food allowed/to avoid for this? Any link you can suggest, please.
Many Thanks!
Here is a summary of the AIP diet: healthline.com/health/aip-d...
In essence avoid:
grains
(this includes rice, corn, oats, wheat, barley, etc.)
legumes (beans, soy, peanuts, hummus, etc.)
dairy products (including raw products)
processed foods
refined sugars
industrial seed oils (such as vegetable or canola oils)
eggs
nuts and seeds, including foods you might not think are in this category such as coffee, chocolate, and certain spices (for example, coriander and cumin)
nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, and more)
gum
alternative sweeteners
(incidentally with thyroid disease you def want to avoid aspartame and sucralose)
emulsifiers and food thickeners
Peaches, strawberries
I have tailored it to my own body - I don't appear to have issues with eggs or dairy (although I do try to go lactose free). I also do eat chocolate in moderation & have seen other lists that only exclude peanuts, walnuts, cashews and almonds but say others are fine (e.g. hazelnuts). In terms of food I do eat - I get my carbs from sweet potatoes, parsnips or cassava (so also use tapioca flour). Amazon sells a great sweet potato glass noodle for example (the sweet potato macaroni are not so good).
I have also been pinning a number of Hashimoto's friendly receipes on Pinterest if that helps (some need small modification to be appropriate):
pinterest.co.uk/pharmaguapa...
Hope that helps and feel free to get in touch if you want to know more or if I can help.
You just have to wait an hour. Sometimes I only wait half an hour, I don’t seem to have any absorption difficulties so it suits me.
I’m gluten free too, I started a reduced carb diet years ago so I’m used to it.
Scramble with :-
Smoked salmon
Sausages
Bacon
Plum tomatoes
Soups, homemade or otherwise
Salmon with green beans
Broccoli with bacon and pine nuts
Spanish omelette
Brussel sprout omelette.
Any left overs
I just don’t think of breakfast as any different to lunch or dinner. I don’t know how society has changed to a cereal nation. Convenience, speed I guess but most of it seems to contain sugar of some sort. That’s how the nation gets going.
I don’t usually have ‘breakfast’ till 2/3hrs after waking but I do start my day with decafe coffee and cream.
I like these :
dietdoctor.com/recipes/keto...
or bacon and eggs
or scrambled egg
or omelette with some kind of filling, perhaps cheese or mushrooms or ham
I usually make a shake with almond milk, kale, spinach and berries with a little protein powder and chia seeds.
I just take my levothoroxine as soon as I get up. Feed animals shower do what I have to, get dressed, then have coffee and whatever for breakfast. As long as you wait at least half an hour to an hour after you take it, you should be good.
I usually have fruit like mango and blueberries with a dairy free coconut based yogurt and some nuts. If not gluten free branflakes with raisins and almond milk or gluten free roast and peanut butter. I find fruit along with nuts is easiest most days
Poached egg and bacon... I am on keto diet at the moment..
Hi Rosie!
I’ve been grain free for 2.5 years and I’m so thankful!!! I’m also milk free (except for goat milk) and have slowly lost 20kg. One year later, my husband and 14 year old daughter joined me. By the way, since I have Hashimoto, I also cut out all night shades to get my immune system to calm down. On Jan 9th, I finally finished taking out the last amalgams and I’ve been detoxing the mercury out of my body while doing that over the last 12 months.
So... breakfast:
I chop a lot of vegetables ahead of time and put them in a big glass container. Zucchini, onions, mushrooms, or other. I throw them into the pan with olive oil, fry gently, then break an egg over that or fry the egg separately or scramble or omelette and put the veggies inside with feta cheese and or ham or left over chicken pieces. Be creative!
You can bake 5 sweet potatoes ahead of time and eat them cold or warmed up as is or with butter, sour cream, some arugula salad.
We do eat rice, so rice waffles are easy. I make garlic butter ahead of time (mixed with a mixer with 150mg butter, 100ml olive oil, 3 cloves garlic, S & P). Spread on rice waffle and put a smoked salmon piece and lemon juice, dill if you’re feeling special. Or other topping, like hummus, (I make 1.5 kg at a time, and freeze it in 200mg jars) we always have it around. Can also top with hemp seeds,... avocados are also amazing, can add crunchy bacon or shrimps
But... veggies please lots of them. Check out the Korean and Greek kitchen.
Regarding thyroid, after 20 years of chemical thyroid meds (200mcg levothyroxin aka T4) and the many other illnesses that came along, because the root cause of my hypothyroidism wasn’t being addressed,
1. Cleaned my diet as above and the to only eat organic.
2. I switched to bioidentical thyroid hormone from swine 1.5 years ago. 4.5 grains = 200mcg
3. Got rid of mercury and other heavy metals which are devastating to the health. I did all this with natural therapies. No chelation!
4. I’ve been regularly detoxing my liver and kidneys.
5. at the same time I studied thyroid and natural treatments intensively. I took 20,000IUs of Vit D daily for 5 weeks and then saw that my thyroid was not just in the norm range of 20-100 (I was 25, which is actually a terrible deficite!!) I got my level up to an optimal 70 and not take 40,000 IUs once a week to keep that range. I can’t tell you what that’s done for my health!!
6. Got my selenium up to optimal range also.
7. Since starting the bio identical hormone, and making these other changes, I’ve been able to slowly reduce my thyroid hormone by 60%. That, after my previous doctor had put my thyroid „to sleep“ for 20 years!
All the above was done under doctor‚s supervision and we often did. blood tests. Since I have blood cancer that is done every month and I am able to monitor changes. I feel stronger at 55 than with 40. it’s worth it! Stay off the grains which are mostly gene manipulated so that our bodies don’t even recognize them any more. I sometimes eat organic oats with rice milk and then my own apple sauce on it, topped with blueberries. Also great for breakfast.
You must have food ready to wheat all the time. If not, it’s hard to stay non grain. The whole world, except for the Far East eats mostly grains in their diet. Most are poisonous because the glutens cause leaky gut in EVERYONE. Some feel it sooner, some later. Glad you made this choice. I wish you good eating. Hope to have helped. Anag
Breakfast advice for Levo takers
Bbc breakfast this morning 
What do you eat for breakfast? 
Tahini for breakfast 
T3 only tiered after breakfast lack of motivation 
