Time change

[Nathy1]

Hi all ,I just want to ask if I can take Levo before bed instead in the morning? I have to set my alarm for 5am it's annoying and a second one for 7 am for work.i need to have a breakfast and of course coffe before I leave 😀I am so tired in the morning bcs of this alarms.🫣Thank you

[Lalatoot]

Nathy you can take levo when it suits your routine. And you obviously know it's more effective on an empty stomach and separate from other meds or vitamins. Bedtime is good.Just switch by missing your morning dose and take it at night

[Nathy1 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you Lalatoot 😀 I think I will from tomorrow ,bcs I just want to be fresh in the morning, I am doing 12hrs shifts soooo this 2 alarms it is not good at all.🙃

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

When it’s time to do blood test

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

[Buttercupsareyellow]

Do you ever wake up in the night to pop to the loo? I put my meds in a weekly box (you can buy from the chemist) measured out by dose for each day. I usually wake up at some point between 3-5am for a bathroom run and just take that day’s dose then, go back to sleep and job done…..

[Nathy1 in reply to Buttercupsareyellow]

Nooooo i sleep like a baby, it is very rare i go for toilet 😆 soooo i will prefer to take levo at bed time so I can sleep till my alarm wake me up and I don't have so set alarm twice anymore..🤠

[Buttercupsareyellow in reply to Nathy1]

Makes sense. I’m a bit of an insomniac so awake quite a bit 🙄

[Quinc]

Hi Nathy1

Waking up really early seems an added burden.

I take half my dose in the morning (sometimes with tea I confess) and half just before sleeping.

Seems to work just fine if you can take your dose easily in two

…… also sometimes do what Buttercups suggests, great too as long as you remember that you have taken them when you wake up properly

[McPammy]

I normally take my liquid levo spilt doses x2 during the day. Recently had issues obtaining my levo liquid for 2 months and had to switch to tablet form. I couldn’t absorb them so I switched to taking a full dose going to bed instead. I thought I might get some reaction but it’s worked out ok. I finally got my Levo liquid last week and have continued taking a full dose going to bed. Things seem to be ok at the moment but it’s only been a week. If I could continue to a take full dose at bed time that would be great. Especially as I’m going on holiday soon it would help rather than faffing about with two doses during the day. So far so good

[Hashiboy]

Short answer is yes. I did for ages. It needs to be about 4 hours after food and tea or coffee just like your morning dose. There's a little research suggesting T4 is better absorbed at night so check how you feel as you might get a tiny bit more of an effect. Like Lalatoot says you can take it when it suits you as long as in an empty stomach. Hope you the change suits you and you get that extra bit of sleep.

[ladymaude52]

I have been taking levothyroxine for 35 years at night. When I go to bed which is around 10.30pm. Which leave enough hours not to interfere with anything else I might take. Iron shouldn't be taken within 4 hours of thyroxine. I would never remember in the morning.

[Partner20]

There has been research done which indicates that levo might be better absorbed and utilised when taken at night rather than in the morning. In other groups there is much anecdotal evidence that this timing works best for some with regard to symptom improvement. Personally I notice no difference whether taking levo morning or night, but simply choose to take it when most convenient for me. I currently take mine at bedtime, as I do intermittent fasting, and as my eating period ends at 7.00p.m. this easily gives me the required 4-hour gap before taking my levo.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I always take mine at bed-time - and always have.

(Exception when doing a bloodtest draw in the morning - but that is just a time shuffle for a day.)

[tattybogle]

if you change time of taking levo be prepared for few nights of slightly altered sleep pattern /dreams if you don't normally have them/ not dreaming if you normally do / feeling different in the day ...all sorts, ......not permanent .. just the brain going "eh ?... what just happened ?" for a little bit while it gets used to the new arrangement.

[YSpencer]

Yes you can. I have taken my Levo at bedtime for years as l too need coffee when l get up. Just go for it.

[BonnieG123]

I think as long as your routine is best suited to taking it at bedtime, it would be fine. Keep it same time everyday, with 8 ounces of water, on an empty stomach. Best wishes.

[Buttercupsareyellow in reply to BonnieG123]

I’m intrigued by the 8oz of water?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Buttercupsareyellow]

Some formulations of levothyroxine absolutely need water - such as Levoxyl. The tablets can stick in the throat. But they get wetted and start to "explode" due to the disintegrant used.

In general, it is advisable to take some water with tablets so that they disintegrate properly and get carried through to the jejunum.

8oz. isn't a strict amount - more an indication of a glassful rather than just a sip.

[Buttercupsareyellow in reply to helvella]

I must admit I’ve always taken a few mouthfuls rather than a glass otherwise I’d be up even more needing the loo 🤣

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Buttercupsareyellow]

I'm one of the luckier ones - more likely to need a drink in the night than the loo.

[BonnieG123]

that is what I have been told by more than one doctor. After taking the pill you need to wait an hour before eating. When I began this process, all did work better for me.

[BonnieG123]

This is from WebMD online:

How to use Synthroid 

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking levothyroxine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast. Take this medication with a full glass of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise.