Levothyroxine at night and vivid dreams

[NotAllWhoWonder]

As a follow on from:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I decided to start taking my levo at night. Everything seems fine with it, and I feel like I fall asleep quicker, and the sleep I'm getting is of better quality - when I'm asleep. See, I've been having the most insanely vivid dreams that wake me up throughout the night. So, despite sleeping better overall, I wake up in the morning feeling tired because of the constant waking up due to my dreams. They aren't nightmares, it just feels like I'm literally in them! It's getting to the point where I may just start taking it in the morning again.

Anyone else experienced the same?

[helvella]

I hope someone can make some helpful suggestions. As someone who has always taken my levothyroxine at bed-time, I've been lucky enough not to have vivid dreaming.

It is especially desirable as you say that, other than vivid dreaming, you have experienced some positives from the change.

[NotAllWhoWonder in reply to helvella]

I’m not sure if it’s any supplements that may be interacting. I take my other medication (aspirin) and supplements (magnesium, cod liver oil, probiotics) at least 3 hours before my levo before I have dinner (latest 8PM). I get into bed at 10PM and read until 11PM, then I take my levo as my stomach should be empty, if not a lot emptier by then.

[StitchFairy]

Yes, me too! Not just vivid dreams, but some do verge on nightmares at times. If I take the whole dose at bedtime, I fall asleep easily, and typically stay asleep for a couple of hours before being woken by the vivid dreams. I tried splitting my dose taking some in the morning and some at night. That works better, but still get vivid dreams some nights.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

I believe you are taking a low dose of levo - 50mcgs unless you have been increased recently? Its possible that you arent taking enough Levo which is why your sleep is disturbed.

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

How do you take your blood tests? Do you allow 24hrs between last dose of Levo & blood test?

Do you do tests as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

How are your vitamin levels? What were your most recent test results for ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[NotAllWhoWonder]

OK, think I've figured it out. Completely forgot that I started famotidine for my gastritis a couple of weeks ago. Apparently vivid dreams and nightmares are actually a common side effect (along with possible hallucinations...). Only intended on taking it for a couple of weeks, so will be back to normal come Monday.

Dreams were always a bit weird since I started levo, but nothing like the last two weeks, so makes complete sense now.

[serenfach]

I take NDT and my dreams are full on technicolour! Last night I was walking around Liverpool (a place I have never been to!) trying to buy a mango. I had not even thought about buying a mango for ages! When I wake up, I have to tell myself that it was a dream, it is that realistic!