When should I take my Levothyroxine?

[clarita1983]

I am type 1 diabetic as well as hypothyroid. This makes taking my Levo a little tricky as I know I’m supposed to leave a big gap between eating/drinking and taking my tablets. My question is what is the ideal amount of time I should leave between eating before and after taking Levothyroxine?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

clarita1983

In order that absorption of Levo is not affected, it's advised to take Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal, with water only for one hour each side. Leave 2 hours before taking other medication/supplements (some need 4 hours).

To avoid my Levo being anywhere near anything else but water, I take mine during the early hours of the morning, often around 5am when I need a visit to the bathroom.

[clarita1983 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, yes I tend to do the same if I happen to wake up a while before our morning alarm. The trouble is that morning is one of times I find I sometimes wake up to low blood glucose so have to eat a couple of jelly babies. So then I’m stuck waiting an hour (though by the sounds of it I should be waiting 2 hours), taking the Levo, then another hour before I can eat again. In the meantime (3 hours total without eating) I could have dropped to low glucose levels again. It’s tricky 😬

[clarita1983 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Would you say that if I took my Levo at bedtime and left at least an hour after my last cup of tea that would be ok? There’d always be the same question of low blood glucose but I don’t find it happens as much as in the morning. Obviously I’d love to eliminate it altogether but type 1 diabetes doesn’t always play ball

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to clarita1983]

clarita1983

I don't think a couple of jelly babies would make much difference, whereas a proper meal would. But do try taking your Levo at bedtime, some members find they are much better taking it then than in the morning, it may suit you very well

[clarita1983 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much, yes I may give it a go. Thanks that’s reassuring that the jelly babies wouldn’t be a massive problem