Activated charcoal

[Cake-Maker]

I’m considering taking activated charcoal as a supplement.

I’d be grateful if anyone could tell me if there are any interactions with thyroid hormones.

Thank you

[helvella Administrator]

I'd be very cautious.

Activated charcoal is sometimes used in various ways in cases of severe levothyroxine overdose. (And, indeed, numerous other medicines taken in excess.)

However, I have not found anything specific about the effect of oral activated charcoal on levothyroxine in humans.

Certainly, out of caution, ensure several hours between taking levothyroxine and any activated charcoal.

[Cake-Maker in reply to helvella]

Thank you Helvella.

If there’s the slightest doubt I’ll give it a miss!

It was recommended to me for “die off” caused by a form of Herxheimer reaction. I’ll just put up with it.

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to Cake-Maker]

Sensible, I took it once years ago before my thyroid DX and was on HRT at the time, it mopped up all the hormones and brought on a bleed. Recreational drug users take it after a binge (I learned this from an interesting train journey companion) 🌱

[Cake-Maker in reply to Regenallotment]

Really? The fascinating things you can learn on a train ☺️

[FallingInReverse in reply to Cake-Maker]

And on this board! I’ve never heard of any of this before!

[Hypopotamus]

Charcoal is a first aid type of supplement rather than one to take all the time.

[helvella Administrator]

There are plenty of articles which seem to broadly agree that activated charcoal can be fairly safe, but its absorption properties make it very much a double-edged sword.

And question what benefits it has in most cases.

If you search for information, much of the older stuff is about its use against wind.

And it is said that it can cause constipation.

Its interaction with medicines is well-known but I feel the identified medicines are but a fraction of those actually affected. I note in the first linked article, they particularly mention birth control pills.

And some people do choose things like charcoal biscuits long term!

PSA: Using Activated Charcoal as Food Coloring Could Mess With Your Medications

Read this before you eat those spooky Halloween treats.

By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD

October 26, 2023

self.com/story/activated-ch...

Activated Charcoal

medlineplus.gov/druginfo/na...

The Activated Charcoal Trend Isn’t Just Nonsense—It Could Actually Hurt You

Your body's got detoxing covered.

self.com/story/chrissy-teig...

All in all - I'd say we very much need to be aware of its interaction with many medicines and ensure that, if we still want to consume activated charcoal, we maintain a gap of several hours.

Regenallotment FallingInReverse Hypopotamus