Eating after Levo/t3

[Girlslovescifi]

just wondering if anyone finds they need to wait longer than an hour before eating and having caffeine? I wait an hour but sometimes I feel I’m not getting the full dose. I do have reflux. Took my drugs at 5am and at 10am, my heart rate was 60 and I was feeling very cold. My most recent test shows my t4 was just over normal, so I’ve been advised to cut it back very slightly from 112.5mcg per day to alternating from 100mcg one day and 112.5mcg the next. That was 2.5 weeks ago. Thanks

[BadHare]

Perhaps you have low stomach acid?

Try a squirt of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with your meds’ water, & before your meals to see if that improves your absorption & reduces reflux.

[Girlslovescifi in reply to BadHare]

Thank you!

[Lily905]

I've always been all ok taking my full dose of T3 first thing in the morning with two cups of coffee. I don't eat breakfast. I know T3 & coffee at the same time doesn't work for most people. With my NDT I need to take it three hours before & after food or it doesn't work at all.

[Girlslovescifi in reply to Lily905]

3 hours! That’s interesting. I’m switching to decaf tea in the morning and will try and wait 2 hours before eating and see how I get on. Thanks.

[NanaV54]

What is your TSH? I'm wondering because, sometimes FT4 is high because it's not being used to convert into T3. Your Dr would need to check your FT3 levels. I would check that, before reducing your dose, only because of the adjustment period disrupting your hormones. Also, are you on bioidentical T4? (Synthroid, levo?) If you are taking generic, and have reflux, you might have a problem with absorption due to fillers/binders. Several companies make bioidentical T4 formulations, but they each use a different combination of fillers. Finally, do you take any supplements or health drink that includes biotin? That would artificially raise your FT4 and lower your TSH on labs only. Biotin causes lab interference.

[Girlslovescifi in reply to NanaV54]

My tsh is suppressed. Free T3 was fine. I take Mercury Pharma Levo- that’s the best you can get on the NHS. I always stop supplements a week before a blood test.

[NanaV54 in reply to Girlslovescifi]

Does the UK allow Tirosint. I just keep thinking of your reflux. It can often cause an issue with absorption. As far as biotin, I never realized until recently that many protein drinks and snacks have added biotin. I wouldn't have even thought to check there. I would bet, if you can get your D up, you may find that you feel better.

[Girlslovescifi in reply to NanaV54]

I take a good bone supplement with D3. My D is usually good.

[Girlslovescifi in reply to NanaV54]

I can usually keep reflux under control without omeprazole etc

[Ruby1 in reply to Girlslovescifi]

I do wonder whether things that stop reflux may affect absorption and I might be inclined to keep those as far away as possible from my thyroxine.

I notice my levo packaging now says to take it an hour before breakfast but for many years I just take it around the same time, sometimes before and sometimes after. I've never noticed it making a difference to me. The only time I felt I had an absorption issue was when I was taking glucosamine which was oily .

[Girlslovescifi in reply to Ruby1]

I rarely take omeprazole and if I do, I take it 4 hours away from thyroid medication. Same with antacids.

[Quiqui]

hello there, try to take your dose in the middle of the night when you go to the bathroom or else. That gives the body plenty of time for the dose to work. Also , your palpitations are because your dose is too high. Any change in dose has to be for at least a month before you see an effect. Just listen to your body and if with your current change still feel heart palpitations , talk to your doctor again. All will be well !

[Girlslovescifi in reply to Quiqui]

I don’t have palpitations.

[Enuffisenuf]

Might be worth trying taking just before bed, if you think that you need a gap before eating.