How far away thyroid hormones (metavive and T3) from food?

[Ocean2]

How far away thyroid hormones (metavive and T3) from food should generally be taken away?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ocean2

Personally, I would err on the side of caution to avoid any possibility of absorption being affected and follow the same advice as for Levo, ie take on a empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food.

[Hidden]

Metavive isn't strictly a thyroid hormone but a food supplement, which doesn't need to be prescribed and has far fewer legal regulations. However, it is made from thyroid extract.

One problem is that you can't know how much thyroid hormone (if any) is actually present and, being unregulated, it's likely to vary from batch to batch. But they do seem to be a reputable firm. The person I spoke to insisted on informing the doctor if taking their product.

I have in fact ordered some, though waiting to take it until after an Endo appointment (phone consultation only, but hopefully better than nothing).

After a couple of years, I don't seem to be able to get any further by adjusting Levo only, so maybe even a tiny bit of T3 might improve things.

Concerning time before or after food, Most foods are likely OK with only a one or two hour gap , but tea, coffee, iron, calcium (tablets or high calcium foods such as cheese), vitamin D and maybe other metal containing supplements (zinc for example? Not sure there), apparently need FOUR hours each side. I take my Levo last thing at night in order to be able to have a morning cuppa.

One thing that is good to take WITH thyroid tablets is vitamin C that helps absorption.

[Ocean2 in reply to Hidden]

Oh I didnt know about vitamin C increasing the absorption of thyroid meds. I know it is the case with iron.

[Hidden in reply to Ocean2]

Yes, iron too. Apparently vitamin C helps in resisting infections as well - a good idea in these days!

[Guineapiggy]

I have been using Metavive and get good results removing it from the capsule and absorbing it sublingually. This will help avoid problems of it being affected by food. I hold in my mouth for as long as possible and it doesn't taste too bad.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Guineapiggy]

Why do you think that you effectively absorb it sublingually rather than say, from what you swallow with saliva?

[Guineapiggy]

It is passing straight into the bloodstream and not being inactivated by food and drink or having to survive stomach acid. I used to take Erfa NDT and instructions for that was that it could be taken sublingually, so I thought I would do the same with Metavive and it seems to work. I know that NDT is more processed and probably more suitable to use under the tongue than the Metavive but it works for me.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

tawki.info/Sublingual.html

[Guineapiggy]

If you are not sure you can trial it one way and get tested and then try the other way and see if there is a difference.