The time change

[Pixipot]

Just read when googling that it's best to take levothyroxine at night, I've always taken 50mg in the the morning as well...anyone take their thyroid meds at night...before bedtime?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long have you been left on just 50mcg levothyroxine

That’s only a starter dose

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

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

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

[041051 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was told by the Consultant to take mine at night about 10 years ago. I had been taking 150 mg Thyroxine but my G.P. didn't want to increase it until I had seen the Consultant. She increased to 175 for 6 months and then I went back to 150mg. Last year I started having symptoms of needing it increased again, so my G.P put me back up to 175mg.,

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 041051]

041051

Suggest you write your own post

You can fine tune dose ….150mcg and 175mcg alternate days

Or 2 x 175mcg and 5 x 150mcg per week….. etc etc

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts, you are also taking T3?

On T3 - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last dose 8-12 hours before test

[Lalatoot]

I do both. I take half my levo in the morning and half at night . Always have done. It isn't better to take it at night. It is an individual thing and what suits your body and lifestyle.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Some people find that taking their Levo at night is better for them. Some find it makes no difference. Some take it all in one dose and a few have found that splitting it is better for them. I take mine in the early hours of the morning, usually around 4-5am, when I regularly need the bathroom, that keeps it away from other medication, supplements and food/drink. Experiment and find what suits you best.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I take mine when I get up for the loo at night, just because its convenient then and won't interfere with my morning coffee. It gives my body time to absorb it away from other medications, food and supplements.

[helvella Administrator]

It is often suggested that bed-time dosing results in slightly better absorption. It also seems slightly closer to the pattern healthy people have.

I have always taken my levothyroxine at bed-time.

For that reason, I cannot compare with taking in the morning.

Before diagnosis, my sleep was badly disturbed. Typically, I would fall asleep fairly easily. Then wake up after something like half an hour to two hours. Once woken I'd be unable to get back to sleep - often till dawn, or at all.

Once I started on levothyroxine, my sleep slowly improved. By the time I was taking an adequate dose, bad nights were unusual - just an occasional night where I might wake up for a while. Now, after years, I sleep very easily and deeply and rarely wake at all. If I do, I get back to sleep quickly.

We have some who prefer it; we have others who prefer other times. See our poll:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Some papers which discuss taking levothyroxine at different times - such as bed-time.

Levothyroxine Replacement and Ramadan Fasting

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/237...

Effect of L-Thyroxine Administration Before Breakfast vs at Bedtime on Hypothyroidism: A Meta-Analysis

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/320...

Morning vs. Bedtime Levothyroxine Administration: What Is the Ideal Choice for Children?

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/303...

A Crossover Study Evaluating Effect of Timing of Levothyroxine on Thyroid Hormone Status in Patients of Hypothyroidism

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/313...

Effect of Timing of Levothyroxine Administration on the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Three-Period Crossover Randomized Study

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/300...

Alternative Schedules of Levothyroxine Administration

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/256...

Thyroid Diseases and Ramadan

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/228...

Pharmacotherapy: Hypothyroidism-Should Levothyroxine Be Taken at Bedtime?

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/213...

Effects of Evening vs Morning Levothyroxine Intake: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/211...

Timing of Levothyroxine Administration Affects Serum Thyrotropin Concentration

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/195...

Effects of Evening vs Morning Thyroxine Ingestion on Serum Thyroid Hormone Profiles in Hypothyroid Patients

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/172...

[shaws Administrator]

I do not split my dose, I just don't take the a.m. dose until after my blood test. I've had no problems. I only take one daily dose.