Levothyroxine night time: Would there be any... - Thyroid UK

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Levothyroxine night time

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Would there be any problem taking my dose of Levothyroxine at night prior to bed? Thanks

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Katrina999666
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9 Replies
soppysokes profile image
soppysokes

as long as you stick to a regular timing and a 2 hour gap since food it not particularly important what time its taken. best to try and see if it suits you, many take it at night, or during night

Katrina999666 profile image
Katrina999666 in reply tosoppysokes

Thanks for replying

helvella profile image
helvella

It is often suggested that bed-time dosing results in slightly better absorption. It also seems slightly closer to the pattern healthy people have.

I have always taken my levothyroxine at bed-time.

For that reason, I cannot compare with taking in the morning.

Before diagnosis, my sleep was badly disturbed. Typically, I would fall asleep fairly easily. Then wake up after something like half an hour to two hours. Once woken I'd be unable to get back to sleep - often till dawn, or at all.

Once I started on levothyroxine, my sleep slowly improved. By the time I was taking an adequate dose, bad nights were unusual - just an occasional night where I might wake up for a while. Now, after years, I sleep very easily and deeply and rarely wake at all. If I do, I get back to sleep quickly.

We have some who prefer it; we have others who prefer other times. See our poll:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Some papers which discuss taking levothyroxine at different times - such as bed-time.

Levothyroxine Replacement and Ramadan Fasting

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/237...

Effect of L-Thyroxine Administration Before Breakfast vs at Bedtime on Hypothyroidism: A Meta-Analysis

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/320...

Morning vs. Bedtime Levothyroxine Administration: What Is the Ideal Choice for Children?

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/303...

A Crossover Study Evaluating Effect of Timing of Levothyroxine on Thyroid Hormone Status in Patients of Hypothyroidism

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/313...

Effect of Timing of Levothyroxine Administration on the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Three-Period Crossover Randomized Study

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/300...

Alternative Schedules of Levothyroxine Administration

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/256...

Thyroid Diseases and Ramadan

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/228...

Pharmacotherapy: Hypothyroidism-Should Levothyroxine Be Taken at Bedtime?

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/213...

Effects of Evening vs Morning Levothyroxine Intake: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/211...

Timing of Levothyroxine Administration Affects Serum Thyrotropin Concentration

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/195...

Effects of Evening vs Morning Thyroxine Ingestion on Serum Thyroid Hormone Profiles in Hypothyroid Patients

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/172...

Katrina999666 profile image
Katrina999666 in reply tohelvella

Thank you I will have a read at these links

fuchsia-pink profile image
fuchsia-pink

Don't forget to move to a morning dose the day before a blood test so that you leave 24 hours - and have the early blood draw that is recommended here

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise in reply tofuchsia-pink

I don’t, I just don’t take it the night before. Why mess up your routine!

fuchsia-pink profile image
fuchsia-pink in reply toEllie-Louise

Because you need to leave 24 hours or you will get a false result ... I'd rather "mess up my routine" very occasionally and get an accurate blood result, but we're all different!

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise in reply tofuchsia-pink

That’s why I forget the night befores. That way I have a clear 36 hours, it makes no difference to me.

If you suddenly change to a morning then you are messing up.

Katrina999666 profile image
Katrina999666

I will make a note of that thanks

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