Levo timing - have I been daft?

[mids_thyman]

Hi,

I've posted a few times in the last few weeks about my medication being too low.

This sounds really daft, but I've realised there have been aspects of my Hypothyroidism treatment which I've let slip. Nothing to do with doctors this time - this one's on me!

Notably, I remember when I was first diagnosed I was told to take my Levo first thing in the morning, well away from food & caffeine. I remember setting my alarm early to take a tablet an hour before any other drinks.

At that point I was told everything was well controlled. I didn't really like the morning routine, so over time, I started to let this slip. First, I abandoned the 'hour' rule. And eventually I changed the timing entirely to taking my Levo before bed so I could have a strong coffee to wake me up in the mornings.

So that's where I'm at now. I usually eat supper and drink decaf coffee with milk before bed. And then without any thought whatsoever just take 50mg of Levo before I get into bed. I'm diabetic so sometime need a bit of food before bed-time, so often I'll eat a biscuit after the Levo.

I appreciate this isn't how it should be done, and am going to chang back to mornings. But do you think this will have a significant effect on the effectiveness of my medication and my thyroid levels? If so, how much of a difference?

Thanks in advance.

[tattybogle]

it's a reasonable assumption that when taking it with a milky drink and a biscuit, you reduce how much of the 50mcg tablet you absorb , compared to taking it on an empty stomach ( meaning you have effectively given yourself a dose reduction) ..

but how much less you are getting is anyone's guess ......

[mids_thyman in reply to tattybogle]

Hi Tattybogle. Thanks, and I agree. I seem to be making life harder for myself!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

mids-thyman

I believe that decaffeinated coffee does contain some caffeine and there is calcium in milk. This could affect absorption of Levo.

[StitchFairy in reply to SeasideSusie]

Is there a research paper that actually proves it's the caffeine that interferes with absorption? I know calcium in milk is a problem, but have they proved it;s caffeine or is that just an assumption?

[arTistapple in reply to StitchFairy]

I remember being taught that there are 47 known toxins in coffee. Caffeine is only one issue. Fortunately I do not drink coffee so it’s one issue I don’t have to deal with. However that makes plenty of choice over which might be the culprit affecting absorption. I think the best advice is as SarahJane1471 and Dr. Toft suggests. As long as you do the same thing everyday, your absorption will be the same. However you might just need a slight increase in meds to achieve your previous level done according to the recommended habit.

[mids_thyman]

I was always told caffeine. I think that ultimately changing the timing is the thing to do!

What time does everyone take theirs, and how much time does everyone else leave around their Levo?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to mids_thyman]

I take my thyroid meds when I wake up for the bathroom in the early hours of the morning, typically around 4am, may be a bit earlier, may be later. That way it keeps it well away from any food, drink, supplements, other medication, etc.

[SarahJane1471]

I take mine first thing with water, nothing for an hour. I seem to remember Dr Toft saying that it doesn’t matter how you take it just take it the same way every day. If the absorption is less you would just need more Levo to get the right dose for you. The question is, how do you FEEL? If you feel well then carry on taking it the same way if that is convenient for you. If you feel worse then maybe go back to first thing in the morning. Or get bloods done and see if you can push for an increase

[Charlie-Farley]

Well at 50 ug you are likely still under medicated unless you weigh 5 stone or less. Getting routine fixed vitamins optimised everything makes a difference, but cannot substitute for lack if thyroid hormones- how are you getting on in that regard?

[mids_thyman]

An absolute disaster Charlie-Farley . I posted a different thread yesterday. My doctor pretty much told me I was in target, so no need for change or any discussion. Frustrating!

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...?

[tattybogle in reply to mids_thyman]

just a heads up about how the forum 'Alerts' work mids_thyman.. to alert  Charlie-Farley that you replied to her , you need to use the reply box directly underneath her comment .Then they get an 'Alert; that you replied.

(or.... make her name go blue, by typing @Charlie-Farley (no space after the @ )

When you get to the end of name , a drop down list of members appears , click in the name you want and it will go blue ... this also alerts that member you mentioned them .

[mids_thyman in reply to tattybogle]

Oops! Thanks Tattybogle!