Liothyronine & Colesevelam

[Redporti]

I’m taking Liothyronine at 9am, 1pm & 5pm. I also take levo at 11pm. I’ve been given Colesevelam & will take one tablet 3 times a day with meals. My question is how long before and after I take it can I take my thyroid meds? I understand it effects the absorption of the thyroid meds.

[jimh111]

I'm not sure anyone knows but given liothyronine is fairly rapidly absorbed I would try to take the colesevelam an hour or two after liothyronine.

How long are you likely to be on colesevelam?

[Redporti in reply to jimh111]

If it works indefinitely. I’ve just read take it 4 hours before Liothyronine but that will be impossible. Also I have just read that Liothyronine can cause diarrhoea, swollen legs & feet & weight loss. I started getting all of these 10 weeks ago along with anemia. I am on 30mcg of Liothyronine split into 3 doses. I’ve been on Liothyronine for 7 months. My BP, pulse & temperature are good.

[jimh111 in reply to Redporti]

Unlikely the liothyronine is causing diarrhoea but try reducing to 20 mcg and see if it makes a difference.

Did the diarrhoea come on quickly? Have you been given a diagnosis or seen a gastroenterologist?

[Redporti in reply to jimh111]

I have small bowel syndrome & have been on Imodium for 20 years and mostly it has kept my bowel working well. Suddenly it’s not working & I’ve got diarrhoea again. This all happened at the same time I got swollen feet & weight loss. Gastroenterologist has tested for celiac, Crohn’s & IBD but all negative. CT scan showed no mass in my stomach or bowel. So I’m now trying to work out what could be causing all this & the only new thing I’ve taken this year is the Liothyronine.

[jimh111 in reply to Redporti]

Liothyronine has a short half life so a reduction in liothyronine for a few days or a week or two should confirm whether it is the cause. You may feel grotty for a week or two but will find out.

I assume the gastroenterologist excluded microscopic colitis. If you have bile acid malabsorption the colesevelam should be effective. I'm not a doctor but had similar problems a couple of years ago.

I think the trick is to take the liothyronine before the colesevelam as liothyronine is quickly absorbed. You could even try holding it under your tongue for a minute or two.