ORANGE ?

[Petf]

Can you take levothyroxine on an empty stomach - but with freshly squeezed orange juice ?

[Lalatoot]

That depends on you and your hypothyroidism. I have 2 hypo friends who take their levo with their breakfast and who also forget to take it everyday.They are fine and have no problems. They might be on a slightly higher dose than they would be if they took it on an empty stomach but that does not bother them as they have no problems.

However to get the most out of your levo it should be taken on an empty stomach with only water. This is so that the levo can be efficiently absorbed and at its most effective.

So yes you can take levo with orange juice but it will not be as effective as if you took it with water.

[Petf in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks Lalatoot , what about Coca Cola?

[Lalatoot in reply to Petf]

Whatever floats your boat!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Petf]

Petf

Coca Cola not advised, it contains caffeine (and tons of sugar - 39g per 12oz can!), just take it with water.

NHS advice:

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Take levothyroxine once a day in the morning, ideally at least 30 minutes before having breakfast or a drink containing caffeine, like tea or coffee.

Food and caffeinated drinks can both stop your body taking in levothyroxine properly so it doesn't work as well.

[jimh111]

Orange juice and cola are both a bit acidic and I wouldn't expect them to impair levothyroxine absorption. I've taken my levo for years with OJ without thinking about it. I take the view that as long as you avoid large meals, coffee and bran you should be OK. If you find you are having poor absorption then you will have to be more careful but most people are OK.

[Petf in reply to jimh111]

Ok - great ! Thanks Jimh111

[Cooper27]

My housemate used to take her thyroxine with an orange each morning, then eat her breakfast an hour later. I don't think she saw any detriment from doing it.

[HashiFedUp]

To increase the effect and absorption of the medication, you should take Levo on a completely empty stomach eg as soon as you wake up, and I find its best not to eat or drink anything at all (apart from water) for 45 mins.

[posthinking01]

Hi there - personally I wouldn't drink orange juice at all that comes from a supermarket - it is mostly sugar and not what it says on the bottle - fresh etc. You need to nurture your stomach lining not give it something so acidic particularly in the morning. Eggs are a wonderful breakfast as they supply all the protein and and amino acids needed to protect the stomach lining. There are some wonderful juices on the market that are fresh juice and nothing else -Williams Pear juice by Granini - or Cawston's Pressed Apple and Ginger. I dilute them - makes water so much more interesting. Use within 5 days though.

[Eliotf]

It is advised you take it on an empty stomach. If you are going to deviate from that be consistent. The other problem you have is each food affects the amount of absorption. Some foods disrupt the Synthesis of the Levi. if your eating eggs every day.

The ideal way is to get up take your pill & wait an hour. If you are someone who gets up in the am to pee a few hours prior to climbing out of bed, take it then

[Petf]

Will do - thank you Elliot !