Unable to swallow tablets

[Blackcat122]

HiCan I ask for some advice.

I'm currently taking 25mcg and 50 mcg levothyroxine which I've just successfully got changed to the vencamil brand as it was a lottery what the chemist was sending me.

I've been waking up 7 ish to take the levothyroxine, then go back to bed,but no matter how much water I drink with them, they just stay at the back of my throat until hopefully they eventually dissolve and go down to the stomach.

So my question is, even if I get up an hour later and have breakfast will the levothyroxine have had time to be absorbed in the stomach, and would I be better off taking it at bedtime on an empty stomach?

Thanks for any advice

Susan

[FallingInReverse]

Levo needs 45-60 minutes fully in your stomach to efficiently absorb (ie, it breaks down in the stomach and absorbs in the intestines.

Getting stuck in our throat and just how much water is needed so that doesn’t happen is a very very common challenge : ) !!! For me I have to be sitting up properly and catch the wave as I take a gulp of water. But still sometimes have to gulp a few times.

But the clock doesn’t start ticking until it’s in your stomach entirely.

So whatever you need to do so it gets down… do that!

[Blackcat122 in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thanks FallingInReverseMaybe a hosepipe would do it!!

It's good to know that it's quite a common problem, not only me!

Susan

[jimh111]

I take them a few minutes before breakfast with no problem. Too much water can reduce absorption as stomach acidity falls. You can crush them or chew them if that helps. Taking them with fruit juice also helps absorption. Take levothyroxine any time of day, if you are reasonably consistent your dose will be appropriately titrated.

[Blackcat122 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks Jimh111

[helvella]

You could put the tablets into a small amount of water and stir. They disintegrate pretty effectively. Just make sure none gets left on the stirrer or in the glass.

[Blackcat122 in reply to helvella]

Thanks helvella, I'll give that a try

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Vencamil are particularly soft and start dissolving quickly

One of the reasons perhaps many people do well on it…..it’s easy to absorb in gut

Make sure you sit up properly to swallow

[Blackcat122 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon I'd read on here about vencamil being softer, so that's one of the reasons I'd asked to change

Thanks for your reply

Susan

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Blackcat122]

You can always try taking at night instead. Suits many people

may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[Blackcat122 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon that's very helpful Susan

[Lupaal]

I take mine with a little bit of plain yogurt, may not be the best way but I can't swallow tablets, been doing it for over 20 years and blood tests are OK so it must be alright.

[Blackcat122 in reply to Lupaal]

Hi Lupaal Isn't it funny how everyone has their own method of swallowing tablets!

I'm going to try dissolving them first, then crushing them, then I'll try with some yogurt as you suggested

I'll get the little blighters down some way or another!!

If they just had some kind of coating on the outside I think they would go down better

Susan

[Nelxy]

I dissolve tablets in my mouth with a little bit of very diluted fruit flavoured water, followed by a mouthful and then swallow, then I drink a bit more of fruit water.About half an hour later I have my morning mug of cappuccino been doing it for about 6 years and blood tests are ok so must be alright.

[Blackcat122 in reply to Nelxy]

Hi NelxyMaybe I'm being too rigid and worrying to much about my timings of taking the levothyroxine. Sounds like what you're doing is working well for you

Susan

[Singwell]

Have you tried tucking your chin under when you swallow? I know it sounds counter intuitive but it's the advice that medics give in this case and it does help. Have a practise with just water to see how it feels.

[Blackcat122 in reply to Singwell]

Thanks Singwell for your advice. It does sound a strange thing to do, but I'll give it a trySusan

[FallingInReverse in reply to Singwell]

👆 👆👆👆👆 winning comment of the year!!!!! This totally worked for me! Everyone should try it!!!!

[Singwell in reply to FallingInReverse]

That's made my day! TBH I'm not the originator of the idea. But I listen to a lot of lifestyle medicine podcasts and I got this tip from Dr Ayan Panja.