Blood pressure medication.

[DoeStewart]

Hi everyone. Just a quick question. I was at hospital today as my blood pressure was extremely high, I haven't had any problems before with it but the high BP was found by a dentist who suggested I go to my GP. Long story short - hospital have put me on BP meds, 1 a day in the morning. I told the Dr that this is when I take my Levo and his answer was...... take them at the same time 🙄. My question is, would I be better then taking my Levo at night and BP meds in the morning otherwise I'll have to wait 4 hours after taking Levo before I can take the new medication. ?

[MightyMay]

I take my blood pressure medication approximately 30-60 minutes after taking my hypothyroid medication. I have been doing this for over 20 years. If you take Vitamin D, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin C and Magnesium, you should wait 4 hours after you take your hypothyroid medication before you take these.

[DoeStewart in reply to MightyMay]

Thank you for your reply. I had it in my head everything had to be 4 hours away from Levo and didn't realise I could take the BP meds that close. That will work out fine for me.

[radd in reply to DoeStewart]

DoeSteward,

I take BP meds same method as MightyMay, anytime after about half an hour post thyroid meds.

[DoeStewart in reply to radd]

Thank you for your reply, obviously works for you then.

[SmallBlueThing]

I take a calcium channel blocker (drug names ending in "pine") which causes an awful crash if taken at the same time, or too close, to levothyroxine, so I leave a gap of at least six hours. I've never wanted to test whether I can tolerate the four hours, so often stated for other meds and supplements. No adverse interaction is listed for the combination. I checked my other meds and whether timing was important for their action and decided to take all but one with my lukewarm mug of tea at about 6pm, daily. I take amiloride twice a day, so continue to take one dose at the same time as my levothyroxine, and have done for several years.

[DoeStewart in reply to SmallBlueThing]

That is the BP meds I have been given - it's Amlodopine. I think I will take my levo before bed and the BP meds in the morning, that way its a long way apart from each other. Thank you.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to DoeStewart]

The one I'm on now, which causes the crash, is felodipine. I feel as though I could sleep while standing. I was started on nifedipine while hospitalised with a hypertensive emergency, and could hardly stand, at first. Hospital doctors, GP and pharmacy were all out date with the NICE guidelines, expecting me to take the medicinal form meant for Raynaud's. I had a "frank discussion" about it with my GP and got put on the correct type, which is coated, but then moved on to amlodipine, which caused my lower legs to swell and ulcerate. By then I had a cardiologist, to whom I suggested lercanidipine or another, similarly named, calcium channel blocker, known to cause less oedema, but felodipine won the day, perhaps due to familiarity. Picking up the first pack from the hospital pharmacy I asked about nifedipne and was told hospital doctors are a law unto themselves.

[DoeStewart in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thank you for this information, I have very slim ankles( not boasting).so will be keeping a very close look out at swelling in the legs. Medications are a minefield aren't they. This drug was given to me in hospital so I am now back under the care of my GP - I don't think "care" is the correct term anymore? They are supposed to monitor me and I presume change the medication to higher dose or prescribe a different medication all together if this one doesn't have the effect needed.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to DoeStewart]

A friend in his 70s was put on amlodipine, and couldn't recall any blood pressure monitoring. There's a risk of fainting and falls in the elderly taking amlodipine, and he had a fall off his new kitchen step stool, so he took himself off to A&E as he'd hurt his ribs. His very slow heart rate was spotted, and he was kept in for weeks, eventually having a pacemaker fitted.

I bought a monitor soon after leaving hospital, and had regular GP appointments to give my results. This certainly wasn't ideal, as I tried all sorts of "cheats" to get my BP as low as possible, meanwhile complaining of the pointlessness of monitoring if results divorced from the reality of daily activity were recorded.

There's also the viewpoint that "essential" hypertension is just lazy doctoring -- that there's a cause to be found, if enough effort is devoted. But then "lifestyle choices" including weight and lack of exercise may be assumed to be the cause.

I had doxazosin added, starting at 2 mg. I was within my first year of taking levothyroxine and had asked to increase after a shorter number of weeks. Minor stress or exertion would set off palpitations and the levothyroxine got the blame. However, I'd been started at double the usual dose of doxazosin, and found all sorts of worrying information about that particular drug and its history. Nevertheless, I got to tolerate it after a few weeks and now take a higher dose. I take a much higher dose of levothyroxine, and have never had palpitations with a lower TSH than I had then.

[DoeStewart in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Well its definitely not lifestyle with me as I don't smoke, have never smoked. Drink very little alcohol, go the gym 4 days a week, walk 10,000 steps a day at least whilst walking my dog. I know your BP raises with age so possibly that is what's happened with me? Yes you do have to question the decosions made by some Drs - I think they need to go back to med school for a refresher course.

[arTistapple]

I have found taking my levo at night has, I think, improved my situation. I have no proof it’s improved the uptake. It just subtly feels better. It’s also improved my unnecessary evening ‘snacking’ routine, as nothing to eat for four hours before levo. I take my Amlodipine first thing in the morning. No problems. Take most of my vits (incl D) with my breakfast. Delay my K2 until lunchtime and take my Magnesium in the late afternoon. I think I have it covered - until something else/new instruction turns up!

[DoeStewart in reply to arTistapple]

I had read that there is thinking Levo is better absorbed at night - no clue but if it works for you then thats great. I have Amlodopine too so will do exactly as you do. They are the only medications I have so the rest of the day is vitamins. Thank you.

[Batty1]

Whatever you don’t take them together…. Heart doctors are notorious for telling people to take their meds all together… It makes you wonder if they want you sick from drug interactions.

[DoeStewart in reply to Batty1]

Exactly that, I went to argue with him and couldn't be bothered, I just thought No - that won't be happening either. He actually asked me if I knew how to take the Levo properly 🙈. I told him I had been taking them for 35 years so think I've got the hang of it now !!

[Tanglewooddream in reply to DoeStewart]

I take my Amlodipine at night, Levo in the morning, done this for 6years.

[DoeStewart in reply to Tanglewooddream]

That is very interesting. I did ask if there was a particular time for it to be taken and he just said morning?

[Stourie in reply to DoeStewart]

They say take your levo in the morning but people just take them when it suits them best. Jo xx

[DoeStewart in reply to Stourie]

Yes many take it at night as it suits them best. I have started this regime now, Levo at night, BP meds when I wake up. Thank you for replying.

[Batty1 in reply to DoeStewart]

This is a crazy group of doctors just like Endo’s.

[DoeStewart in reply to Batty1]

Couldn't agree more

[DylanA]

Absolutely yes. That’s exactly what I do.

[DoeStewart in reply to DylanA]

Thank you for reply. I have started taking Levo just as I get into bed and BP meds as I wake up - that sounds easiest way to do it. I suppose the other benefits as well are taking the vitamins, don't have to be spacing them away frim Levo.

[DylanA]

Yes. That’s exactly what I do.

[DoeStewart in reply to DylanA]

Thank you for replying. Seems the easiest way to go about it.