Thyroid meds and coffee - why not to be taken together?

[Charlyemmalouise]

Hello everyone

Sorry for another post from me but my gosh, this is a very helpful forum and I have been very confused about thyroid things for a long time!!

I know that allllll the advice out there says to take meds away from coffee. From what I can infer, it’s because the absorption is lessened due to stimulation of the GO tract due to the coffee…. As far as I can work out, there is no chemical process/interaction that makes it less effective, just less absorbed. I know that less absorbed = less effective but I think you will understand the distinction I’m making.

If I took 50mcg of t3 just after coffee, and 100mcg was absorbed, would that 10mcg be less effective cos of the coffee?

Since I started meds I would take them several hours from coffee. But now I’m not sure if this is necessary. I take my meds sublingually which for me, has seemed to work very well. I know some people say this doesn’t work, but for me it has seemed to, in terms of absorption.

Thanks!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Lalatoot]

There is no MUST or HAVE TO about the advice. It is purely advisory.If you are happy taking your meds the way you do ,and are well, then continue.

The advice about taking thyroid hormones on an empty stomach away from food or drink or other meds is so that folks get max absorption and effectiveness. If you don't then it may just mean that you need to take a slightly higher dose to compensate.

[tattybogle]

If I took 50mcg of t3 just after coffee, and 100mcg was absorbed, would that 10mcg be less effective cos of the coffee?

assuming there's a typo in there somewhere ? (obviously if you only take 50 you can't absorb 100)

If you took 50 but only absorbed 10 due to to coffee interaction, then that 10 would be just as effective as 10 that you took in perfect conditions.

( i very much doubt coffee /food etc would make you loose 40 out of 50 if you see what i mean.,,, this is a total guess, but it's probably more like the other way round ie. 'swallow 50 with coffee , absorb 40'

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

'sublingually' , suggests absorbed through tissues in mouth , but in fact what you are doing is dissolving them in the saliva in your mouth ,then swallowing that saliva with the T3 /T4 in .. so it's still getting absorbed via your ....... i forgot ?small intestine and ?another bit .. somewhere 'after' your stomach anyway.

[shaws Administrator]

You state that you took coffee a short time after taking T3 and you don't seem to have any worries.

As T3 is the 'active throid hormone' needed in all of our T3 receptor cells, the brain and heart have the most - why would we take something that could affect its uptake.

25mcg of T3 (liothyronine) is not equivalent to 25mcg T4 (levothyroxine).

25mcg of T3 is equivalent to 100mcg of levothyroxine.

You can take whatever you wish even if it affects your thyroid hormone replacements. Our heart and brain have the most T3 receptor cells in order for them to function optimally - every single hypo patient can not improve if they don't have sufficient T3 in their bodies,

[Jewiemax15]

I think it's the caffeine that's an issue rather than the coffee itself. My T4 has a warning printed on the pharmacists label stating not to be taken with caffeine

[DippyDame]

Coffee isn't essential to life but replacement thyroid hormones are likely to be so!Take the hormone at a time that suits your daily routine and enables you to feel well e.g. early morning, bedtime.The coffee can be enjoyed at another time.

But, as with the intake of food, the choice of when you partake is yours.

We can suggest timing based on our own experiences but you are free to ignore that if you find a protocol that works well for you.

... and doesn't " waste" too much hormone so that you need a bigger dose to achieve the same result!

As far as I can work out, there is no chemical process/interaction that makes it less effective, just less absorbed. I know that less absorbed = less effective but I think you will understand the distinction I’m making.

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make here

The hormone per se is effective, that is why we take it

How it is used/taken determines how effective it is inside the body.

If the hormone isn't absorbed it cannot be used by the body therefore it cannot fulfil it's function therefore it is not effective.

Maximum absorption is important.

If I took 50mcg of t3 just after coffee, and 100mcg was absorbed, would that 10mcg be less effective cos of the coffee?

Typo? 10mcg absorbed?

Your point?

You are tying your thoughts into unnecessary knots!

T3 molecules are too "big" to be absorbed sublingually so you are still going to swallow most of the hormone after the tablet has dissolved in your mouth.

Thyroid tablets were developed to dissolve in stomach acid, in an empty stomach.

IF your thyroid medication were to be absorbed under your tongue then it bypasses the gut so it doesn't really matter when you eat or drink after you take your thyroid medication.....but it's not that straightforward!

Bottom line...if you have considered all the possible problems and remain convinced your method works for you, and you feel well, be thankful and maintain the status quo!!

Thyroid journeys can be difficult enough without adding unnecessary obstacles

Good luck

Stay well