Best timing to take Levothyroxine?

[MrsQ20]

Hi all,I’ve read a number of articles here and elsewhere about taking Levo at night. I do this, as when I wake up I find it hard to wait an hour for my morning cuppa. I just wanted to check how much gap there should be between my last meal/drink and taking tablets? I’m still having symptoms and dr not keen to hear this/change medication and am due a review in November so trying to ensure I’m doing everything to be as optimal as possible.

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

MrsQ20

I just wanted to check how much gap there should be between my last meal/drink and taking tablets?

If your evening meal is your main meal of the day then 3 hours to be on the safe side, if it's a lighter meal then 2 hours.

Water only for 1 hour either side of taking Levo.

No other medication or supplements within 2 hours either side of taking Levo although Vit D, iron, calcium and magnesium (magnesium usually taken in the evening) there should be a 4 hour gap.

[MrsQ20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you that’s really helpful

[SlowDragon Administrator]

3 months ago your dose levothyroxine was increased to 75mcg

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Obviously time to retest FULL thyroid and vitamin levels if not been done yet

[MrsQ20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon,

I persuaded my Dr (who reluctantly agreed) to a 75/100 alternate dose from end of August because of how I was feeling -TSH 3.93 at end of July (headaches, very emotional days, lots of body aches and some days having to stay in bed to recover energy and clear head) but she said then “we can’t keep doing blood tests” hence the reason I’m trying to optimise everything including supplements and being gluten free. I always follow the advice about early morning testing. Last full test was 16th June. I have 50mcg tablets from Accord and 25mcg tablets from Pharma.

[Jazzw in reply to MrsQ20]

“We can’t keep doing blood tests”?? What a b*tch! Sorry, may be a little strong, but that sort of thing really gets me going. A TSH of 3.93 in a patient already diagnosed with hypothyroidism and on thyroid hormone replacement is not “normal”. It shows that you’re under-medicated.

I don’t suppose there’s another doctor in the practice you could see, is there? This one seems hellbent on keeping you feeling ill.

[MrsQ20 in reply to Jazzw]

I know! I will get tests done in November and see who I can see. If they refuse full range my plan is to test privately and go back to them again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to MrsQ20]

Personally I gave up “begging “ for tests over 8 years ago. Even if GP requests full tests, lab often refuses

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 are £26 from NHS private test via monitor my health

Obviously need to test vitamins annually.

[shaws Administrator in reply to MrsQ20]

Remember to allow a gap of 24 hours between dose of levo and the test. Blood should be drawn at the earliest and also it is a fasting test (you can drink water). This helps keep the TSH at its highest.

[MrsQ20 in reply to shaws]

Thanks- as I usually take at night I leave the night dose when testing in morning and take it late after the draw.

[shaws Administrator in reply to MrsQ20]

That's good.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase or brand change in levothyroxine

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results