Carbimazole before or after food?

[Newbie_85]

Hi all,I just picked up my carbimazole, when's the best time yo take it? My GP didn't specify. Should I take it at night after dinner? Or morning on an empty stomach? What are the pros/ cons of each? Thank you 😊

[helvella Administrator]

Absolute time of day doesn't matter. I'm not sure if those who have taken it have any views about time and meals based on their experiences.

But I do hope you have at least a quick look at my blog. That explains some issues about Carbimazole which you might not otherwise see and appreciate.

helvella - Splitting Carbimazole Doses

A short discussion about Carbimazole primarily focussed on splitting doses but containing other information which may be helpful to anyone taking, or considering, Carbimazole.

Last updated 06/01/2025

Link to blog:

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

[Newbie_85 in reply to helvella]

I just had a quick read, splitting doses is very interesting. Many thanks for the recommendation.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

There is no need to avoid taking at meal times. Carbimazole works with or without food. Just needs to be taken with water. (it’s replacement levo hormone that’s fussy & needs to be taken on empty stomach)

I gave up coffee when first starting carbimazole, but I drink it now. It’s also recommended you avoid alcohol until you know if it affects you.

The best thing is to take carbimazole as at regular & consistent time as possible. I used a pill organiser & set alarm reminder on phone.

It’s safe to take carbimazole in 1 daily dose but there are benefit to taking 2 or 3 doses, especially early in treatment. Carbimazole works by pausing new thyroid production so closing the gap it starts to produce again can lower daily output more efficiently.

[Newbie_85 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you that's very informative. I'm wondering if I need to give up coffee or switch to decaf. I have 5 coffees a day, last one after dinner. Do I need to cut them all or just the one after dinner?

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Newbie_85]

I only lasted a few weeks, I was starting propranolol at same for the heart palpitations which were very mild but the Dr seemed super concerned, so it was for my health.

You could reducing your evening one, it might help you to sleep better, think about gradually switching to decaf or reducing how many cups you have in small steps. but I say keep enjoying your coffee, & don’t let it worry you.

[Newbie_85 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you, I'm more concerned that coffee will affect the efficiency of carbimazole or make graves worse. I sleep well at night as I'm so used to drinking coffee it doesn't affect me anymore lol. I might start by reducing the after dinner coffee as I'll be taking carbimazole then.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Newbie_85]

I agree with PurpleNails - "don’t let it worry you".

I come from the other end of the scale - hypothyroid. And my personal experience is that my heart-rate reduces a tiny bit when I drink my very strong mid-morning coffee. (I've never checked what happens with my "first thing" coffee.)

And my heart-rate has also reduced when I increased my levothyroxine dose.

That is, we have to see how things affect us as individuals. Too many people have switched to no coffee, or decaf, and later realised there was no reason. Or they actually felt worse from so doing.

Worry levels are likely at least as significant as caffeine.

[Newbie_85 in reply to helvella]

That's good to know, thank you. I think I'll replace my after dinner coffee with hibiscus tea, but continue to drink my coffees during the day as I definitely need them to function 😆

[Newbie_85 in reply to helvella]

Worry levels are likely at least as significant as caffeine.

That's bad news for me as I'm a hell of a worrier 😩 I worry A LOT and I don't think it's something I can help.