Timings on thyroid medication : Hello, i was... - Thyroid UK

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Timings on thyroid medication

broccoli profile image
7 Replies

Hello, i was wondering if anyone can help..

I've been taking thyroid medication for a few years now,always three in the morning..but now due to the lack of shift work and the fact it's not practical..I would like to move the time to 7 in the morning..

Is it possible to do and how will the body react

Thank you in advance

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broccoli
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7 Replies
pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hello Broccoli

It shouldn't be a problem - if it is just Levothyroxine you take as this is a storage hormone :

Ideally it should be taken with a glass of water, on an empty stomach and ideally wait a further hour before you have breakfast.

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Just change. It stores in your blood so you don't us it right away.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I am assuming you are taking levothyroxine and it has a long half-life and it is simple to change to take your dose to when you get up with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating

A Full Thyroid Function Test is:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Blood drawn is always at the earliest possible, fasting and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take it afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as that seems to be all doctors take notice of. TSH is from the pituitary gland, not the thyroid gland and it rises if our thyroid gland is struggling.

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate also to be optimal.

If GP wont, you can get a private home blood test from one of the private labs. If you decide to do so, make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before. These are finger pin-prick blood draw and many members have done so.

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

A Full Thyroid Test consists of TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies (if you've not had antibodies tested before).

Doctor should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate - everything has to be optimal.

Always get a print-out of your results for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

We usually feel best when TSH is 1 or lower (the majority of doctors seem to think 'somewhere' is fine but it isn't.

TSH means 'thyroid stimulating hormone' and it rises when thyroid gland is struggling. It is from the pituitary gland as it tries to flag the thyroid gland into producing more hormones. We want good Free T3s and Free T4s but these are rarely tested.

p.s. I should also state I'm not medically qualified but have had a long 'journey' before I diagnosed myself as no doctor or any others I consulted had a clue.

broccoli profile image
broccoli

Wow thank you for all the detailed responses..I am taking nature throid tablets..

I have tried to change the times before,but I get alot of hair shedding, changing the times is almost like i haven't taken anything

I'm too cautious about continuing

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to broccoli

Important to only take on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Do you split your NDT in to two doses?

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Hair loss linked to low ferritin

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

It's best to take all of the dose once daily at the same time i.e. usually when we awake and taken with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. It is a better routine I believe and I'm not medically qualified but had to diagnose myself one day after GP told me I had nothing wrong.

This is the procedure when due for a new blood test for thyroid hormones - even if you have to make the appointment weeks ahead:-

The earliest possible blood draw, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

Ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be checked also.

A 'Full Thyroid Function Test' is not usually taken in the UK, and if not you can get it privately and it is a home finger pin-prick test. This consists of TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies and I'll give you the link.

thyroiduk.org/managing-your...

broccoli profile image
broccoli

Thank you all for the detailed responses..I think I will just have to bite the bullet and force my thyroid to the new time and see how long it takes to adjust ..and also the side effects if any

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