I'm currently on 25mcg levothyroxine, I'm having difficulty swallowing them, they're so tiny they just seem to stick in my throat even with lots of water.Rang the doctors receptionist to ask for liquid form, but told no, it's too expensive, and to speak to a pharmacist.
I spoke to him today, and he recommended putting the tablet into a small jelly sweet and swallowing it.
I queried that I thought it had to be taken on an empty stomach, but he said it would be OK.
I'm curious to see if anyone else take theirs like that?
Written by
Blackcat122
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Could you not crush the tablet up and add it to a shot of water, ideally empty stomach for an hour after or 2 hours before if evening dosing... so no sweets not advised 🫤
hi Blackcat122 I had exactly the same problem with the Levo tiny tablets. I asked gp for liquid Levo and was also told no due to the cost, similar suggestions were made to me - take it with a spoon of jam or piece of bread. I did persist asking and had it prescribed and had it for a couple of years now.
I also take small Roma t3 capsules and swallowing them isn’t a problem. For me it was the tiny dry Levo pills that just seemed to stay lodged in my throat.
Hi Oakwood. I'm pleased you've found a solution, and you've been prescribed the liquid. I'm hoping that as I move onto a higher dose, they may be bigger and easier to swallow. Like you said, they're so small and dry they just seem to lodge in your throat and go nowhere fast!!Susan
Thanks Susan. One tip I found which helped a bit was to try swallowing the pills with water drunk from a sport cap bottle, it seemed to wash them down with a bit more force 😊
Before there were any levothyroxine oral solutions, several of the Patient Information Leaflets for levothyroxine actually said that if you have swallowing issues, or for infants, you could disperse the tablet in a little water.
While I think they no longer say that, it was a matter of policy - not the the tablets have changed.
The best plan might be to disperse with a little water, swallow, then swish out with a bit more water and swallow that as well. Total amount of water doesn't need to be very much. But make sure none of the tablet gets left behind.
25mcg is a tiny starter dose and can make you feel more hypo
How old are you
Standard starter dose is 50mcg ……but starting on 25mcg recommended if over 65
Book next blood test for early morning
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)
you will need several further increases in Levo over coming months
Yes…levo initially and briefly tops up your own thyroid hormone levels, but very quickly pituitary notices the Levo dose and TSH reduces…..and your own thyroid output drops …..so you become more reliant on Levo…..and that’s why symptoms return/get worse as you approach 6-8 weeks after a dose change……ready for next increase to 50mcg daily
Retest again in another 2-3 months
most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or somewhere near full replacement dose (typically 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day)
If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Problems taking Levothyroxine
Acne resulting from Levothyroxine
Can I be allergic to levothyroxine?
Taking levothyroxine ...
Administering Levothyroxine
