is there a right time to take vitamin C supple... - Thyroid UK

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is there a right time to take vitamin C supplement and how much should you take

Ronnieandrocks profile image
8 Replies

Hi first I won’t to thank everyone that has written on here Iv learnt so much. I have had under active thyroid for 40 of my 63 years. I have been on Levothroxine for all that time. Different doses but for the last approx 7 years a dose of 125mg day I would like to point out that docs will only give out 2 months of any meds at a time. And every time I get different manufacturers I queried this with the Pharmacy I was told there is no difference whatsoever between manufacturing Iv asked more than one docs and pharmacies and got told the same thing I know it all depends on which is the cheapest at that particular time but that’s the UK for you

I was diagnosed with arterial fibrillation four years ago I am now under the clinic at the hospital and I’ve done quite a lot of my own research I can take magnesium and vitamin B complex but also there is good indications that vitamin C also helps so my question is is there a particular time to take vitamin C when thinking about the thyroid as well Thanks again

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Ronnierocks

There is apparently no problem taking Vit C with levothyroxine, it may increase absorption of Levo:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/246...

verywellhealth.com/how-to-t...

Vit C can keep the body from using B12 so keep Vit C 2 hours away from B Complex or a B12 supplement.

As for how much you can take, as Vit C is water soluble any excess should be excreted but if you're taking too much it will probably cause diarrhoea and you'd know about that so you'd cut back to a dose where it doesn't have this effect.

I queried this with the Pharmacy I was told there is no difference whatsoever between manufacturing Iv asked more than one docs and pharmacies and got told the same thing

There is no difference in the active ingredient - levothyroxine soldium - the difference comes with the excipients and it's these that can cause problems, eg lactose, acacia, mannitol (which is used instead of lactose in Teva brand and has caused adverse reactions for quite a few members here).

Ronnieandrocks profile image
Ronnieandrocks in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you.

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

Hi I take mine at breakfast with the other vitamins etc. I also take Hawthorn capsules, 2 per day one at breakfast and one after tea. These are good for the heart and kidneys and also lower the BP and Heart Rate. In Germany even the GP's prescribe them instead of the usual medications that sometimes cause problems for patients. The Hawthorn has been in use for well over one hundred years.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Which brand of levothyroxine do you prefer

Request GP add brand details on all future prescriptions

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.

Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Glenmark or Aristo (100mcg only) are lactose free and mannitol free. May be difficult to track down Glenmark, not been available very long

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets

beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Posts that mention Teva

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

New guidelines for GP if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...

If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

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

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

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)

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

Similarly if normally splitting your levothyroxine, take whole daily dose 24 hours before 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

REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex

Ronnieandrocks profile image
Ronnieandrocks in reply toSlowDragon

Wow thank you I will look in to the different brands as I only get the same one for 2 months I think it’s hard to tell how I feel on the different ones and after 40 years how I’m supposed to feel. I have recently changed doctors so am going to insist I actually get given my test results as this is something I’ve never been told “it’s in the right level” is all I get and the receptionist says oh no I don’t know the results. Better late than never but this worm has turned!!! Thanks again.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toRonnieandrocks

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results for last 2-5 years

Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Far far too often only TSH is tested which is completely inadequate

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

For good conversion of levothyroxine (Ft4) into active hormones (Ft3) in your cells you need GOOD vitamin levels

Being on just levothyroxine, frequently results in low vitamin levels…..then poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Low Ft3 can cause Afib …as can high Ft3 (if levothyroxine dose is too high)

Medics tend to ONLY think afib linked to high dose levothyroxine

Many many members have low vitamin levels and low Ft3 on just levothyroxine

Low vitamin levels are more common as we get older too

See what GP has tested

Request anything not tested is done ….unlikely to get them all

Frequently necessary to test privately to make progress

Examples of private test results

Medichecks

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

eiddew profile image
eiddew

Hi Ronnieandrocks

I would say the best time is the time when we are hungry.

The best form is in whole food form, like orange, strawberry and pineapple,

Here’s a very comprehensive database to look up nutrient contents of most food, fresh and processed. Look up the fresh fruits and veggies you love to eat, and compare their vit C content, perhaps other minerals and vitamins as well.

fdc.nal.usda.gov

Our body absorbs what it needs, the rest is peed out. If we superdose on vitamin C in artificial form, we either get a strong bowel movement, or very expensive pee.

take very good care

Ronnieandrocks profile image
Ronnieandrocks

Thank you I eat a lot of fruit already so maybe I need rethink.

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