I went to open my new box of Levothyroxine and on the outer label it says, “ take in the morning 30-60 minutes before food “ which it has always said, but now it also says along side this “ and drinks containing caffeine”
Never had this on the box before.
Is this something new?
I always take my levo with a glass of water first thing and then I have a cup of tea straight after.
should be water only for at least an hour
It’s not just the caffeine…..Milk in tea or coffee will also reduce absorption of levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
verywellhealth.com/best-tim...
markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...
markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you change to taking levothyroxine at bedtime/in night retest 6-8 weeks later
Also ...adjust timings as follows 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
Thank you SlowDragon.
I do take meds in the morning for OCD plus vitamins etc and again at night for depression & anxiety.
When I see the endocrinologist I will give him the info needed to access me ie meds,diet, etc.
No other medications or supplements within 2 hours minimum
Some should be four hours……including iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D tablets, PPI or HRT
Many members take levothyroxine in middle of the night
Assuming you typically get up for the loo in the night …..keep pills at bedside in weekly pill dispenser with glass water.
Or set alarm for say 6am ….take pills and go back to sleep
Thank you 😊
I get two different dosages prescribed.
One says: One to be taken on Alternating Morning Preferably 30-60 Minutes Before Breakfast, Caffeine-containing Drinks Or Other Medication.
The other is a blank!
These notes can (or could) be included by the prescriber, but I think most are automatically put in by the GP surgery computer systems.
When there is a general change in advice, it is likely to work its way into the computer systems. Eventually.
I'm personally not convinced of the caffeine warning. It might affect absorption but for many medicines it enhances the rate of absorption - hence its use in many analgesic products. But most discussion about levothyroxine is about coffee rather than any caffeine-containing beverage.
But the milk in the tea - which most people take - can affect absorption.
What does it say on the actual Patient Information Leaflet? These fragments put on labels are pretty awful because they only take one tiny bit but might discourage you from reading the PIL in full - which will have more comprehensive information.
Thank you helvella,
I take a look at the PIL.
I had a look on the PIL and it says nothing about not having caffeine.
well yes caffeine shouldn’t be taken with Levo but the drug companies have only just woken up to it . Also you should always stick with the same brand .i believe this is now written on the leaflet enclosed inside .
Thank you for your reply motherelle
sounds like a typo? I have mine with a sip of herbal tea 20/30 mins before a proper cuppa!
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