hi
I have just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and will start taking thyroxine tomorrow morning. I usually wake at 6.30 and will take then. NHS and endocrinology guidance says wait half an hour before having any food and drink, but I notice this forum advises an hour. I’m not worried about eating anything but do like a couple of cups of tea to get me going. Would de caff black tea be ok?
Thanks
Its really only water that can be drunk and no food at all ideally for an hour to allow proper absorption of Levo.
many people do well with taking Levo at bedtime which is an option you can think about. It avoids food and drink issues.
Thank you. I’m reluctant to take Levo in the evening as I sometimes have to take anti acids or laxatives then.
Can you move the other tablets to slightly earlier? Otherwise you need to delay drinking anything other than water for an hour after Levo in the morning.
I’m reluctant to take Levo in the evening as I sometimes have to take anti acids or laxatives then.
Once you get onto a decent dose of levo, you probably won't need the anti-acids or laxatives anymore.
In any case, your stomach acid is probably low, not high. The symptoms are the same. 
welcome to the forum
How much levothyroxine have you started on
Which brand
As you have an autoimmune disease already it’s highly likely your hypothyroidism is also autoimmune
Have you had thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels tested yet
If not, get these included at next blood test
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
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 or in middle of night
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 normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...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
I wake up to go toilet between 3-4, I take mine then. Otherwise my alarm goes off to take it early and I can go back to sleep if desired. That works best for me.
Levo and fortified food and drinks
Drinks and doses
Thyroxine timing
How long to wait to test if over supplementing thyroxine
Endocrinologist waiting times.
