how long after small meal can I take Thyroid meds - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,917 members166,037 posts

how long after small meal can I take Thyroid meds

PixieElv profile image
8 Replies

Hello All

I am aware that 2h are recommended between food and caffeine and thyroid meds.But surely there is a difference in digestion between a 5 course Sunday lunch and a slice of toast, ie it will take longer to digest the full lunch than it would to digest a slice of toast?

Can I assume the time between ‘toast’ and thyroid meds is shorter?

What do you All think?

Thank you!

Written by
PixieElv profile image
PixieElv
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
8 Replies
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

There is, of course, a difference in digestion.

But probably a smaller difference than you might expect in gastric emptying.

PixieElv profile image
PixieElv in reply tohelvella

So just checking I got you right, you think it takes longer for a piece of toast then I may think?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toPixieElv

Yes.

I'm sure it will be less time than for a Sunday lunch. But remember that things like enzymes are secreted in greater quantity if we eat more. And a fair part of stomach digestion requires time - regardless the quantity. It is very difficult to make any realistic estimates or even guesses.

But, as with everything, we are all different and some seem to empty their stomachs much faster than others.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54

Take your meds first moment you wake and then eat an hour later. Job done. Nothing to worry about for the rest of the day. If you take T3, don't worry about it. It's a different absorption process apparently and much less fussy.

PixieElv profile image
PixieElv in reply toFancyPants54

Hello

I take NDT 3x a day, so not so easy 😊

Best wishes

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply toPixieElv

I used to take NDT 4 times a day when I tried it. I never bothered about the meal thing. It was impossible. I stopped using NDT because my doctor became unavailable not because I didn't get on with it. I was a novice then. But I'd not be trying to dodge food and drink for it if I did it now. There are people who get on fine with Levo never knowing to space it from food. It might be an optimal thing to try, but life also has to be taken into account. Don't beat yourself up about it.

PixieElv profile image
PixieElv in reply toFancyPants54

Hiya

I am sorry to hear you had to come of NDT. I love it. It’s great.

Are the ‘food/drink close to NDT don’t matter’ your own experiences or do you have some scientific back up for that?

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply toPixieElv

I wanted a supply that was available more easily than running the risks of ordering from abroad and that wasn't possible for me with NDT so I use T3 now and have a private prescription for it so I can get it from within the UK. I feel more secure that way.

My own experience gave me no difference in performance of any thyroid med taken with food or well spaced out from it. Dr Peatfield who I originally saw for NDT told me to not worry about when I took it and there are plenty of people in other groups and discussions around the web that don't advocate for the strict adherence to timing rules. It's too hard in many situations to do it. By accident of the fact I take my first dose of T3 with Levo before I get up means I leave an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water. After that I don't stress about it.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

How long until I can re-introduce thyroid meds?

Hello everyone. After a long 27 months of my health getting worse and becoming deathly ill after...

How long can you take meds?

hello everybody. I’ve been taking 40 mg of carbimazol and 100mg of levotheroxin as my bock and...

How long after last meal can I take synthroid?

I been taking my synthroid everyday at 6 am and do wait an hour before having breakfast, but I try...
Ralph1985 profile image

Do I take thyroid meds before blood test

Hi All just a quick question. I have got thyroid blood tests in the morning at 9am I'm going early...
AngelaC66 profile image

Chris Steele says take thyroid meds after breakfast :(

It was a very quick comment made on This Morning today (was advice on when to take all sorts of...
BeansMummy profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.