I've been researching if there's anything to increase absorption of Levothyroxine, just out of curiosity, and a few articles have recommended taking vitamin C with it.Here's one I found:
"Low stomach acid, also known as hypochlorhydria, is a common issue in people with hypothyroidism and autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. When thyroid hormone levels are low, as in hypothyroidism, it can lead to a decrease in stomach acid secretion. Levothyroxine’s bioavailability can be adversely affected by low stomach acidity, making thyroid hormone replacement treatment less effective.
Several recent research studies report that vitamin C acidifies the stomach and lowers the gastric pH level, enhancing the solubility of levothyroxine and its absorption."
Has anyone else heard of this and tried it? I'm interested to see if it works as I assumed my vitamin C tablets should be taken at least four hours after my Levothyroxine.
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it’s mentioned in some of Izabella Wentz books, she has a website, thyroidpharmacist.com she recommends a squeeze of lemon in warm water.
Just look after your teeth though, if doing this regularly.
Low FT3 is commonly associated with reflux conditions (I had this, ENT specialist agreed that sorting thyroid hormone replacement optimally was my best treatment) .
I took betain HCl with high protein meals for some months and eventually after giving up dairy and gluten things have resolved . I still take it occasionally when I’ve over eaten or feel dairy-d or gluten-d it aids the digestion of whatever isn’t suiting me. But best taken while eating, not before or after.
Have you tried the bicarbonate of soda test for low stomach acid? I think there is a YouTube. I did, it confirmed my suspicions. If you don’t have it the betaine HCl will give you instant heartburn. Family tried it and only 2 of us needed it.
I also have Vit C powder which I use occasionally if constipated or have a cold or feel dehydrated.
Apparently (according to my ENT) worst thing we hypos can do is take a PPI, but so many are prescribed. Absolute minefield. Good luck on your quest, I wish you swift digestion 🤗
Hi, i take both vit c plus levothyroxine plus several different pain killers (which do not kill pain they just reduce it a small amount) and they all go down the hatch together as I cannot remember to take them at different times I take all of them in a morning and all except vitamin c and levothyroxine plus three others that I do not take in the morning which brings a total of 10 each morning and 11 each evening I do not take my lunch time pain meds unless my pain gets to high.I have not had a problem with taking the two together and my readings are in the middle of the recommended levels.
I remember reading on here a long time ago that vit c increases absorbtion of levo not sure where to find the stud now. I take vit c with my thyroid hormones and it seems fine.
But you do not mention anything else contained in the vitamin C product you use. For example, many people take an effervescent orange vitamin C. The list of ingredients can be significant and I would avoid the product because it is impossible to find out if there might be any interactions. (Actually, I'd avoid them altogether, but specifically when taking with levothyroxine.)
Thank you for your advice. I was wondering after I posted my question, which vitamin C supplements are best to take. Unfortunately my current vitamin c does contain bulking agents e.t.c. so I'm thinking of maybe trying vitamin c powder. I also wondered if I could try diluted apple cider vinegar or maybe lemon tea instead?
The problem with all acids is that they can cause tooth damage. And ascorbates (salts of ascorbic acid) likely have no benefit at all in these circumstances.
Hi...I take these & just empty one out into my water bottle every morning...no nasties or fillers in these. Just ascorbic acid...I am very sensitive to fillers in meds & lots of allergies, but I can take these no problem 😊
An interesting vitamin C is in the form of magnesium ascorbate. I buy it in 250 g jars, which makes it the cheapest vitamin C per gram. Ascorbate can be taken in large quantities without causing any problems. For example, 1 teaspoon every hour to get rid of severe constipation or an emerging viral infection. Magnesium is safe (but avoid calcium ascorbate powder, which is also available). Always prefer pure products, without excipients.
Magnesium ascorbate might be wonderful stuff and very safe - and cheap.
But it appears to me that it is the acidity of ascorbic acid which slightly enhances levothyroxine absorption. But Magnesium ascorbate is neutral (pH 7 or extremely close to that). Hence would seem to be unlikely to enhance absorption of levothyroxine.
Yes, you can improve absorption of levothyroxine by taking vitamin c, as long as it's in the form of ascorbic acid (acidic, ↓ pH) and not sodium ascorbate (buffered, basic ↑ pH). The dose of vitamin c tested was 500mg.
Keep in mind that taking levothyroxine on a full glass (8 oz) of water will ↑ pH, so drink only as much water as is necessary to swallow the medication.
I read that too and had been struggling to push up my T4 so decided to start taking my Solgar 1000mg Vit C in the morning with my Levo. It did help push it up. I’ve just checked it is L-Ascorbic acid but it does have some other bits in it so perhaps I’m not doing the right thing🤷♀️
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