Taking levo: Hi all,Does it matter if I take my... - Thyroid UK

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Taking levo

bajmon profile image
13 Replies

Hi all,Does it matter if I take my Levo in the middle of the night and hi back to sleep?

I was wondering if falling back to sleep after taking it at night will malfunction it's absorption? I was wondering if there are any processes in the body while we sleep which may result in poorer levo absorption.

Any thoughts on that?

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bajmon profile image
bajmon
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13 Replies
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

It is widely accepted that those who take levothyroxine at bed-time are likely to achieve at least a very slightly better absorption by so doing.

I can't think of any reason that wouldn't also apply to "in the middle of the night"!

But do make sure you have a glass of water with it.

bajmon profile image
bajmon in reply tohelvella

Thank you. I was wondering that the other day. Do you actually have to drink a glass water with it? I usually have few sips

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply tobajmon

There has been much discussion over things like water with Teva (which contains mannitol) being part of the reason some find it intolerable. That is, when taken with a reasonable glass of water are more likely to be tolerated.

Some substances such as croscarmellose positively "explode" when they get damp. This can result in the tablets getting stuck in the throat or lower. (No UK make contains as much of that as the USA Levoxyl. And I'd have to check if any UK make contain any of it. This is to explain where some of the advice comes from.)

And you do need the levothyroxine to pass through the stomach in order to be absorbed.

I think more than a few sips is likely desirable but I don't think you have to go mad!

There is far too little research on some of these absolutely basic issues.

bajmon profile image
bajmon in reply tohelvella

Thank you, I appreciate this

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

bajmon

Lots of members take their Levo at bedtime as they find that's best for them. I take mine in the early hours of the morning when I need a visit to the bathroom then I go back to sleep, have done so for years, doesn't affect absorption.

Eliotf profile image
Eliotf in reply toSeasideSusie

I understand that it is a matter of what is in your stomach being empty (2 hours before & 1 hour after). as long as you can sleep afterwards. I generally will take mine about 6am when I get up to go potty and then go back to sleep sometimes for 2-3 hours

bajmon profile image
bajmon in reply toEliotf

Yes, that's how I do it. Wait to say 3-4 and go back to sleep.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I believe a number of members who are prescribed thyroid hormones take their dose in the middle of the night.

Another person who took his dose of T3 in the middle of the night was a researcher/scientist/doctor.

He took his dose then so that nothing interfered with its uptake. His name was Dr John Lowe - also an Adviser to Thyroiduk before his death due to an accident.

He was also an expert on T3 (liothyronine) and was an Adviser to Thyroiduk before hi.s death due to an accident.

drlowe.com/thyroidscience/c...

bajmon profile image
bajmon in reply toshaws

Thank you. Much appreciated. I'll look into his studies.

JenniferW profile image
JenniferW

I started taking mine in the middle of the night after I was recommended to do so by some other posters when I was having problems with adrenal fatigue. It helps me get back to sleep if I am going through phase of being awake in the night for an hour or two despite my thyroid levels being otherwise fine.

Beads profile image
Beads

I have a 4am alarm, take my levo along with however much water I fancy (bottle by the side of the bed), and straight back to sleep. Then the normal alarm goes off at 6am, I can coffee and breakfast as soon as I want.

I could in theory have a 5am alarm for the levo, but then I’d have a sleep chunk of only an hour which feels like too much disturbance, plus if I then woke up early I’d have to wait for coffee.

MrsQ20 profile image
MrsQ20

yes I take mine in middle of night or early hours. I have a little dish I put them in because if I’m a bit sleepy sometimes I couldn’t remember if I’d taken them! Yes helps with supplements at night and tea in the morning. Works great for me.

Shaz26 profile image
Shaz26

Hi. I always take mine at bedtime,2-3 hours after dinner on an empty stomach. Some say it interferes with sleep but I don’t have that issue, u can try.

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