Can I split my dose of Levo?

[Tussa]

Hi,

I’m on 75 mcg levo + 10 mcg liothyronine. I feel fine after around 14 but before that I have terrible anxiety and faster heart rate. I think it’s the levo. I have always been very sensitive to high doses. If I’m at top of the range I feel this jittery anxious feeling, but all day long.

It’s not the t3 since I take 5 mcg just before bed and I sleep well with nice and slow heart rate.

To my question: can I split the levo and take one half in the morning with my 5 mcg t3 and the other half with my 5 mcg t3 just before bed?

Or is it better to take the second dose t4+t3 around 5-6 an hour before dinner?

Thank you in advance!

[Lalatoot]

You can split it anyway that suits. I have never taken my levo all in one dose as I couldn't tolerate it in one go.

[Tussa in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you! Nice to hear it works! I’m just a little worried about the empty stomach thing. Is it enough with just 2 hours after eating ? Also when eating a meal with a lot of calcium?

[Lalatoot in reply to Tussa]

I take half first thing and half at bedtime. Same rules re eating as you say. I don't worry about the lot of calcium as it is not happening with every meal. Now and again I reckon if one of the doses is slightly compromised it is only half of your daily dose and it won't mess things up greatly.

[Lavender-Blue in reply to Lalatoot]

Hello Lalatoot,

Can you say what were your symptoms taking levothyroxine all in one go please, and what is different in splitting it?

Also, what are your timings?

Thank you. 😊

[McPammy]

Hi,I can’t tolerate taking my Levothyroxine in one dose. Taking Levo throughout the day is fine. I’m on 75mcg a day. I’m also on liquid Levothyroxine. I take 37mcg at noon then I take my second 37mcg at 5pm. I’m also on T3 Liothyronine. I take 5mcg as I get up about 7.30 then I take my second 5mcg at 3pm.

I don’t seem to have any issues surrounding food intake snd absorbing. I get my bloods done every three months and they are virtually always optimal, so I know I’m definitely on the right doses. Plus I feel great and full of energy and sleep well.

Eating well and getting those vitamins optimal has also helped my journey.

[Poniesrfun]

A normal, healthy happy thyroid squirts out 75 or 100 mcg of T4 every morning a half hour before breakfast. It then does nothing else until the next morning. Sounds pretty silly? That's what once a day dosing of levothyroxine sounds like. Makes totally no sense.

[marinria]

Hi, I split my Levo in 4 and take 1 hour before each meal plus at bedtime. It works great for me!

[username9]

I take T4+T3 w/food 4-5x/day.

[Tussa]

Thank you all for responding! I felt so much better these couple of days when splitting the dose. What a relief!

Like you said #poniesrfun : it’s just not normal for us humans to pump out so much t4 just once a day.

[Blot]

Maybe you know already but if l have my T3 with a caffeinated drink like tea or coffee l feel terrible for hours.The other thing about being jittery that you mentioned is that sometimes the thyroid starts to work a bit and you have too much medication. So with exercise and warm weather I reduce my T3 and this works. Instead of 10mcgms l have 5mcgms. Can't comment on the T4 as l can't take the synthetic levothyroxine. Some ingredient in makes me very ill.

Hope this helps you try and managed things on your own

All the best

Blot

[Tussa in reply to Blot]

I have the same problem. I have to drink decaf otherwise I feel really anxious a couple of hours afterwards. It wasn’t like that before my thyroid was removed. Life is so much more complicated now

Thank you for the advice about medication, exercise and summer! Good to know!

All the best to you too 🌸