Morning? or Bedtime?

[JLCC74]

Hello,

I recently came across Dr. Childs on YouTube, and watched his video about why taking your thyroid medication (hypo) may be better at night just before bed.

I've been taking mine for almost 30 yrs the moment I wake up in the morning, waiting an hour before eating, 2-4 hrs before any supplements, and at least 2 hrs before coffee, all as instructed by multiple doctors through the years. I've been fine...mostly.

But naturally, because I like to experiment in hopes of feeling better, I decided to switch to taking my NDT around 10 pm, as I'm climbing into bed (at least 2 hrs after eating anything).

This was 2 weeks ago, and so far I have to report that I DO feel better. I haven't needed a nap after lunch. I wake up and it's nice to be able to take any of my supplements with breaky, and most of all, I don't need to be so aware of the time I decide to start eating in the morning.

So I"m super curious....when do you take yours, and have you ever tried a switcheroo like myself?

Would love to hear about it!

[helvella]

There have been lots of posts over the years - some preferring it, some not. I have a blog page which might be of some interest.

helvella - Bed-time dosing of levothyroxine

Discussion about taking levothyroxine at bed-time.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[JLCC74 in reply to helvella]

Thank you! A wealth of resources!

[DippyDame]

I think it depends on the individual.

I need high dose T3-only to function and take a single dose at bedtime.

Unlike some I have no difficulty sleeping

As you say that protocol keeps the hormone well away from food, drinks, supplements

But, like all things thyroid, nothing is set in stone!

[greygoose]

I've tried both and find no difference. I take it in the morning, now because I rarely feel the need to eat straight after rising, but do like to nibble in the evening. So, it's more convenient for me.

[humanbean]

I have found that what I can tolerate has varied throughout the years I've been taking thyroid hormones. The differences have depended on how well optimised my nutrients are and how low I can get my cortisol. (My cortisol is usually over the range.)

Having read reports from quite a few people over the years that they sleep better taking thyroid hormones at bedtime, and being someone who has struggled with lifelong insomnia, it has been my ambition to take my hormones that way.

I am, for the umpteenth time, just starting to experiment with this. It worked last night. Hooray. But, seriously, it will take me a while to see if I can keep it up. I've often had to revert to morning dosing because I sometimes get tachycardia (very fast heart rate) during the night when I take hormones at night.

[Hidden]

Have a look at thyroidpatients.ca (Canada) website for information on dosing according to circadium rhythm. I've recently started T3 only and on endo's recommendation take it at night. It's fixed my sleep issues. You'd need to try it for yourself.

[Mlinde]

I've been taking my T4 at night (c. 9:30pm) for around 15 yrs and given that it's never worked that well anyway, I do it at night because I don't have to starve for 2 hrs after.

[chubi52]

Hi I went on to night dose about 2 years or so ago, best move for me, as I got up feeling refreshed and could do my job without flagging, no more worrying when I can eat breakfast or have a cuppa, I feel I start flagging again around 9 to 10 pm which is great as its nearly time for sleep.. It's hard to get a fine balance but I found it harder while my day was dragging with fatigue to function..

[JLCC74]

Thank you all for responding. Interesting. I'm apparently late the bedtime-dosing party. I think my sleep has improved since starting the nighttime pill. I've never been a great sleeper. I'll keep on keepin on. 👍

[Obsdian]

I need a snack before bed in order to sleep as well as possible so can't take it at night.

I take mine when I wake to go toilet between 3-4am. On the rare occasion I don't wake I have an alarm set for 5am.

I found Dr Childs videos a little overwhelming. Dr Bodle is more my speed.

Edited to add, forgot to say I take progesterone at bedtime so another reason I can't take it then.

[gabkad in reply to Obsdian]

I've never heard of progesterone interfering with thyroxine. I take both at bedtime or the thyroxine during the night or first thing in the morning, whichever. I'm not too particular. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning and really want to drink my coffee, I take two pills before going to bed the following evening. Given the long half life of thyroxine, I'm not bothered. For decades I took it first thing in the morning but these days I'm not as disciplined about it all.

[Obsdian in reply to gabkad]

I don't know if they do or not, just read not to take stuff with levothyroxine

[PJP1]

I started taking mine at night when pandemic caused me to work from home - needed a coffee asap in the mornings - now retired, I’ve continued, as it suits me, due to taking other prescription meds in the morning - I would be unhappy if I had to change back 😊

[CarolMSM]

so do you know if it’s ok to take it with a statin at night

[helvella in reply to CarolMSM]

The answer you will get is likely to question whether you should take a statin at all when you are hypothyroid. Definitely untreated or inadequately treated hypothyroidism is a contra-indication for taking statins. And quite a large number of members think that even adequately treated hypothyroidism is a contra-indication. Further, the specific choice of statin should be considered in anyone who is taking levothyroxine.

In general, it is best to avoid taking anything - supplements or medicines - at the same time as levothyroxine.

[kiefer in reply to CarolMSM]

There is no drug-drug interaction between levothyroxine and statins, but unless you have the genetic pre-disposition to having elevated cholesterol, this suggests that you're not producing enough T3 to aid the liver in its job. Levothyroxine monotherapy will only correct elevated cholesterol if you're able to convert enough T4 to T3. Either the dose of levo is too low or there is insufficient conversion. My opinion is that you should avoid being on statins, primarily since you don't have a 'statin deficiency' but rather, a thyroid hormone deficiency.

[CarolMSM in reply to kiefer]

Thankyou..once I manage to get my dosage right I’ll have a word with my dr.

[jamesal0]

I take 60mg about 4:30am, another 60 for lunch and then a maybe 60 for dinner depends if I'm feeling like I need a nap at 5pm. Have to be care full with that last dose or I'll be up all night. Funny - if I take 60 at 2am it normally knocks me out and I will sleep till 7am. But if I take it at 4pm-5pm, by about 9-10pm I'm wired and there is no way I'm going to sleep