Christian fast.

[Ponmo]

May I know if it is safe to take part in Christian fast periodically?I take my Levothyroxine 6.00am in the morning daily.

Christian fast is from 12.00 midnight to 6.00pm.

[Judithdalston]

I have no trouble fasting 5 days a week 10 pmish to 3-4 pm ie 16- 18 hours fast for health reasons…are you allowed water/ tea or coffee without milk etc, as dehydration is the only likely problem?

[Ponmo in reply to Judithdalston]

No liquid is allowed.

[Zephyrbear in reply to Ponmo]

Not even water??? That sounds like a recipe for disaster to me… dehydration can be dangerous.

[FallingInReverse]

Generally no issues that can’t be managed - but depends on what you are concerned about. Calorie intake? Levo timing?

[Ponmo]

I am only concerned with my inability to use my medication during the period.

[SecondAngel in reply to Ponmo]

For religious fasts there's an exception for ill health so you can take your meds, and if you can't dry swallow you can take some water. Also, you are supposed to take levo on an empty stomach so absorption will be fine.

[helvella Administrator in reply to SecondAngel]

It is not appropriate to advise on the religious aspects of fasting. Including whether taking medicines with water is acceptable.

These vary even within quite narrow sections of most religions.

[SecondAngel in reply to helvella]

The op is free to ignore what I've said. It is based on my knowledge of my denomination, that of my colleague's way more conservative denomination (she fasts weekly) and my understanding the rules Muslims follow.

Obviously Ponmo should check with their church. And I suspect would be fine to skip a dose or take it at the end of their fast.

[helvella Administrator]

I don't think it appropriate for anyone to comment on the religious aspects of fasting. There can be a wide range of views, even within individual religious groups, on whether it is permissible to take medicines while fasting and what can be done to avoid transgressing religious requirements while looking after yourself.

You always have the option of changing the time you take your medicine.

I take my levothyroxine at bed-time.

helvella - Bed-time dosing of levothyroxine

Discussion about taking levothyroxine at bed-time. Several linked references to relevant papers.

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

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Quite agree. As I’ve mentioned in my post the purpose of the fast is immaterial

[Hectorsmum2]

I fast from about 3am untill 9 pm currently twice a week. Mondays and thursday. I allow myself a sip of water to swallow my hormone replacement. I tend to rest on those days apart from a gentle swim in the morning. If |I start to feel dehydrated and uncomfortable I take water before the end of the fast but that is unusual. i have been doing this for a couple of years and Ramadan with out problems. I have lost a lot of weight with the twice weekly fast.

[Hidden]

I would imagine that the principles and safety of fasting in regard to taking Levothyroxine is much the same irrespective of the reason for the fast.

[samaja]

Fasting stresses adrenals so you can judge depending on your cortisol status.