Levothyroxine and HRT

[Workingitout]

Hi, I am just starting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with Oestrogel and will add in Utrogestan tablets in a month. Do l need to take 4 hours away from Levo and supplements?

I take Levo usually early hours of the morning.

B12, Thorne Basic B, Vit C and CoQ10 at lunchtime.

Magnesium Citrate, Selenium and Vit D3K2 at bedtime.

Guessing the gel doesn't affect absorption of Levo as its transdermal, but wondered about the Progesterone tablet.

Would be grateful for advice as none from GP and leaflets for medication don't identify Levo as a non compatible medication.

Hoping that as well as protecting my heart, bones and brain, it might help increase energy levels.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yes, take the tablets at least 4 hours away from Levo.

HRT can affect absorption of thyroid meds, I don't know if gel will or not, so to be on the safe side I'd check your levels before starting and then maybe a couple of months after starting, see what/if any difference.

[Workingitout in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much SeasideSusie,

I had blood test to check TSH, FT4 and FT3, full blood count, B12, Folate and Ferritin levels last week before starting, and am due to have another check in 3 months. Will get results this week.

[greygoose]

B12, Thorne Basic B, Vit C and CoQ10 at lunchtime.

Not a good idea to take vit C and vit B12 at the same time. Vit C affects how the body uses vit B12. Best to take them at least two hours apart.

[Workingitout in reply to greygoose]

Oh, thank you greygoose; I didn't know that. I use the Better You mouth spray if that makes any difference? But will take 2 hours apart to be on the safe side. It's getting very complex trying to take everything a the right times apart from one another!

[greygoose in reply to Workingitout]

Yes, it is complicated, I know. But, I don't know if it being a mouth spray makes any difference. However, there is also B12 in the B complex, so best to separate them.

And, it's strange because B12 is the only nutrient that vit C has a negative effect on. Some people even take vit C with their levo - although I wouldn't go quite that far. But, you could perhaps take it with breakfast. Might give you an early-morning boost.

[Workingitout in reply to greygoose]

Thanks will try that - can l take it around the same time as the Oestrogel as I am putting that on in the morning just before breakfast? (I usually take Levo around 4 or 5 am).

[greygoose in reply to Workingitout]

As far as I know, that sounds fine.

[Workingitout in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your advice 😊

[greygoose in reply to Workingitout]

You're welcome.

[fiftyone in reply to Workingitout]

couldn't agree more. I take levo, iron oral spray, HRT including progesterone capsules, exactly like you and I just take everything in the morning before an hour before breakfast. No problem. There's no way on this earth I'm going to faff around with such a crazy time schedule....

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’ve found lots of great information re peri-menopause and menopause on Dr Louise Newson’s free Balance App. I’ve not needed to adjust my thyroid medication when taking HRT, but know other members have.

apps.apple.com/gb/app/balan...

[Workingitout in reply to Buddy195]

Thankyou, I will check that out - it was the video 'Body Identical HRT explained by Dr Louise Newson' that helped me to make an informed decision about starting HRT.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I like the way you can track physical and emotional symptoms on the Balance App. I find it useful to monitor my hormonal health.