PM vs AM

[Hypotennisnut7]

I recently read an article about the benefits of taking meds for hypothyroid (Levothyroxine and Liothyronine) at night vs morning - certainly beats setting two alarms to have meds before coffee and breakfast!

Has anyone tried this? Results?

I've always had sleep issues and it seems more noticeable since I've made the change but I'm willing to give it more time to see if I can get over the sleep issue that seems to be exacerbated. I use sleep aids already, so figuring this out should eventually happen.

Comments, please -

[humanbean]

I take Levo and T3. I tried taking them both in the evening but they disturbed my sleep horrendously, so I now take them as soon as I wake in the morning.

I know there are many people have said that they have exactly the opposite experience. Some people do best by splitting Levo and/or T3 and taking them throughout the day.

There are no hard and fast rules that everyone must follow. We each have to experiment to see what works best for us.

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to humanbean]

I appreciate the reply - will be experimenting as things progress -

Aloha!

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to humanbean]

Apparently that's the way it is with hypothyroidism -

Thanks so much for the reply!

[Poppy_Ann]

Hi there, I take thyroxine in the morning along with all the rest of my meds a total of 9 tablets but i have never been told to take any of them seperate (I admit that I have never read the leaflets that come with them) i have tried but with them using a type size of 1.5mm I have to dig out my electronic microscope (its a cheap usb thing from China) so most of the time i just have to ignore them, no one has mentioned anything about taking them in the evening, if they cut down the amount of sleep i get any more than i get now i will have to extend my nights a few hours to be able to get any, on a good night i can manage up to 4 hours broken into small bits over the night but on a bad night it will just be a few 10 to 15 minute blocks once i go over an hour without managing any i just sit up in bed and pick up my kindle, you will have to post again if your sleep pattern returns to normal.

Regards Poppy Ann

[Lalatoot in reply to Poppy_Ann]

Poppy Ann levothyroxine is a fussy tablet. For max effect it is best taken on an empty stomach at least 2 hours away from other medications or vitamins.There are folks who take levothyroxine any old how and are well but if you want to try to improve any symptoms it is something to try.

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to Poppy_Ann]

I wouldn't recognize a 'normal sleep pattern' - except for five nights in 2014, I've never slept through the night unless it was when I was a baby!

I'm giving this a try after I ran across the information stating that it's beneficial - I may try a few adjustments along the way, but after about a week so far, it is definitely more convenient this way.

Thanks for your reply to my post!

[jimh111]

I don't think it makes any difference what time you take levothyroxine. I take my liothyronine at breakfast tome and bedtime. I find the bedtime dose crucial, if my dose is too high I find it difficult to get to sleep, if it is too low my sleep is shallow and I keep waking up.Coffee certainly impairs the absorption of levothyroxine but there's been no research with liothyronine which is much more easily absorbed. You could try taking your liothyronine as soon as you wake up assuming it will be quarter an hour or more before you have coffee.

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to jimh111]

That's something I've considered trying too - the Liothyronine in the morning - I'm sure I could putz around for 30 minutes after waking up rather than setting an earlier alarm . . .

Thanks for the suggestion -

[McPammy]

Hi. I take liquid levothyroxine T4 and liothyronine T3 medications. For a few years I was taking both during the day. I’d split my levo and lio doses. But since January this year I’ve tried taking my levo going to bed ( long story why I switched from during the daytime). To my surprise taking levo going to bed has made no difference. It’s much more convenient. I still continue to take my liothyronine T3 on waking and second dose 8hrs later. I can feel T3 giving me an energy boost during the day so I wouldn’t consider switching from daytime to going to bed.

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to McPammy]

I appreciate your information - based on a couple of comments to my post I'm going to try taking the Liothyronine in the AM -

Aloha!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I split my levothyroxine. Taking half waking and half at bedtime

I take T3 as three x 5mcg doses…..waking, mid afternoon and bedtime

Like many members on T3 I find small dose T3 at bedtime improves sleep

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Some of the posters have indicated a sleep disruption with the T3 dose in the PM, which is what the literature in my prescription alluded to. I'm going to try the AM dosing on the T3 and see how it works -

Mahalo for your reply!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hypotennisnut7]

like many members I find last dose T3 at bedtime gives wonderful deep sleep

Similarly in morning I take first dose 6.30am and go back to sleep until around 8am

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to SlowDragon]

We're all different - nice that you've found what works for you!

I'm still experimenting and hopeful -

Aloha!

[041051]

I was advised by an endocrinology consultant years ago to try taking my thyroid medication at night because I was having to increase the amount I took regularly. Since I started doing this, I have only had to increase it once (last year) and I haven't suffered any negative effects.

[Hypotennisnut7]

I only take 5 mcg of Liothyronine and the label says "Take one tablet daily on an empty stomach" the Levothyroxine says "Take one tablet daily before breakfast" that dose is 125 mcg - I find the night dosage more convenient so far but not sure I'm getting the sleep I need (I'm 75). I'm very active: drive my 6 speed Porsche, play tennis 5-6 times a week sometimes twice a day, live independently, fly inter-island frequently (I live in Hawaii) and have a very full life and want it to continue (with quality) for as long as possible -

Maybe I'm just coming to the actual impact of hypothyroidism late to the party . . . but I had NO IDEA it could have such effects on my whole life - - - so I'm trying to do the best I can with what I have left.

I appreciate your reply!

[Wren_9 in reply to Hypotennisnut7]

I'm in the US where thyroid treatment tends to be very cookie-cutter. I started taking Liothyronine a year or so after starting Levothryoxine. I was very sensitive to the Liothyronine so never took it after mid-afternoon. After a year or so it really didn't seem to be helping anymore so went through the routine of tweaking doses including stopping it for a while (taking only the T4). In November I accidentally took both T4 and T3 at night before bed and freaked out thinking I would not be able to sleep. Best mistake... I slept GREAT. I have continued taking both meds before bed and have continued experiencing improved sleep. I have since added 5 mcg of Liothyronine in the morning at least 30 mins before breakfast. My numbers are better and my sleep continues to be grand. I think you shouldn't be afraid to try it at bedtime... you never know! Best to you.

[Hypotennisnut7 in reply to Wren_9]

Thanks for the reply - I'm in the US too and I agree that treatment is pretty "cookie cutter" as you stated. I've most recently seen a naturopath doctor and I felt more listened to than a 'regular' MD, but at age 75 I know I much more invisible than ever, overall.

Today I started the Liothyronine in the AM and I felt 'out of sorts' playing tennis this morning. I have a tournament this weekend so hoping it passes - - -

Anyway, I will do my best to sort this out and see what my body likes best -

Aloha!