topic Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication in Wellness

Question for those who take thyroid medication

Paisley Park — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:47:25 GMT

How long do you wait after taking your thyroid medication to eat or drink anything (besides water)? I've been told to wait anywhere from a half hour to an hour, and I usually try to wait an hour, but I'm starting to get impatient after decades of taking it...I want coffee now! lol However, I don't have a thyroid so I try to make sure I'm giving myself enough time to get the med's full benefit. I appreciate your input.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

pdlinda — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:56:00 GMT

@Paisley Park wrote:
How long do you wait after taking your thyroid medication to eat or drink anything (besides water)? I've been told to wait anywhere from a half hour to an hour, and I usually try to wait an hour, but I'm starting to get impatient after decades of taking it...I want coffee now! lol However, I don't have a thyroid so I try to make sure I'm giving myself enough time to get the med's full benefit. I appreciate your input.

For the last 40 years I wait an hour after taking my thyroid med with water to eat or drink anything else.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Vivian — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:57:20 GMT

I take my thyroid medication at night because I just didn’t want to wait an hour before eating breakfast. I go to an 8:30am aerobics class and timing that pill was a pain. So, now I take my medication before bed. I eat dinner early and try not to eat anything afterwards so taking my Levoxyl before bedtime is a no-brainer.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

dulwich — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:57:46 GMT

@Paisley Park I take my thyroid tablet with water at

around 7.30 a.m. than have a cup a tea at 8’ish been doing it this way for years and years! Breakfast around 9 a.m. no bad effects to me thank goodness.

I always thought you could not eat for an hour not drink - my neighbor takes her tablet with her coffee but I take mine with water! Than wait 30 mins or so for my tea! Have a good day

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Still Raining — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:06:56 GMT

Here is some very bad advice from an ornery, non-compliant patient. I have scheduling issues with several medications so I cut a deal with the endocrinologist, if I will be absolutely consistent with what I do wrong, he will adjust the dose.

It is tyranny not to let patients know this. As long as the poor absorption is regular, you will be good to go.

And labeled as naughty.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

LilacTree — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:18:06 GMT

@Paisley Park wrote:
How long do you wait after taking your thyroid medication to eat or drink anything (besides water)? I've been told to wait anywhere from a half hour to an hour, and I usually try to wait an hour, but I'm starting to get impatient after decades of taking it...I want coffee now! lol However, I don't have a thyroid so I try to make sure I'm giving myself enough time to get the med's full benefit. I appreciate your input.

@Paisley Park

I’ve had hypothyroidism, well controlled for over thirty years with 100 mcg of Synthroid. I take it as soon as I wake up in the morning, wait an hour (which I would anyway because of RA pain) and then eat something. Then I wait another hour before taking my other meds.

I have done it the same way all these years which is why my thyroid issues have been well controlled.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

sophiamarie — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 22:00:28 GMT

I, also, don't have a thyroid. About 15 years ago, I took the radioactive iodine capsule and that kills off the thyroid. I think it was about 2 months. I was put on Tapazole until the thyroid was gone. Anyway.....

At night, right at bedtime, I take out a thyroid pill and put it on my night table. As soon as I wake up (whatever time it is) I take the pill with my thermal glass of ice water, also on my night table.

So, to answer your question: I take it as soon as I wake up. Then, I either go back to sleep, or am up for the day (whichever comes first)......

At least an hour goes by before I have coffee but that isn't planned. It just works out that way. I wouldn't worry about it. Just take it first thing. Then brush teeth, etc.... By that time, it's coffeetime......an hour will have passed.

O/T but I want to say that someone bought me a 20 oz thermal jug that I fill up to the top with ice, then with water - at bedtime. That water will still have ice in it by bedtime the next night. It's called ZAK! I carry it around with me all day long and always have ice water.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

tsavorite — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:31:51 GMT

@Paisley Park if you are on synthyroid or the generic....which is a T4 only medication you can easily take that right before bedtime. If you are on dessicated thyroid (I am) then mornings are the only way to go....as it has both the non-active and active hormone (T4 & T3) so you wouldn't want to be taking at bedtime as the T3 (active) is for energy and alertness.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

violann — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:45:34 GMT

Armour Thyroid with water, 1/2 hour before coffee.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Icegoddess — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:43:31 GMT

According to Synthroid's FAQ's on their website, it's 1/2 hour to 1 hour. In other words, no reason to be ****** about it. I think it's more important to just be consistent. You know, coffee intereferes with absorption of the medicine too. But, if you drink it consistently, it'll be taken care of by adjusting your dose if needed. I'm not one to eat right after I get up, and many days go to the gym, so I actually don't eat until about 3 hours after taking my med. However, that goes by the wayside on my yearly ski trip where we get up and go to breakfast early to beat the crowds. Never caused a problem.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

ProudMa — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:44:54 GMT

You wait an hour after taking meds...but just as important...cannot eat 4 hours prior to taking meds OR take any calcium meds...even antacids or milk. it is an important timing thing

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

violann — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:46:35 GMT

@ProudMa wrote:
You wait an hour after taking meds...but just as important...cannot eat 4 hours prior to taking meds OR take any calcium meds...even antacids or milk. it is an important timing thing

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

cherry — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:53:06 GMT

I take mine in the middle of the night ,when I get up to use the bathroom..It is by far the best solution for me. I put them in a small paper cup on my night stand, and take them when I wake.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Graciea — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:58:18 GMT

I take mine in the middle of the night also

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 22:48:54 GMT

I've never been told to wait any length of time. Up until now, I've never even thought about it one way or another.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

loves daisies — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 22:49:03 GMT

I take my Armour Thyroid one hour before I eat. However, I do drink my coffee after I take the tablet. Is this a no-no?

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

x Hedge — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 23:27:20 GMT

@honeybee123

Minimum of one hour.

I have nerve damage that slows my gut motility.

Every day I wait an hour or two to make sure my gut is empty before taking my thyroid med, but I sip black coffee as soon as I get up.

I sip black coffee before, with, and after the thyroid med, every day. Total 2 to 3 6oz cups.

It works because I am consistent.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

webbgarner1 — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:12:58 GMT

@Paisley Park I see an endocrinolgist frequently for type 1 diabetes and hypothyroid. He stresses the importance of waiting a full hour to eat after taking the thyroid medication.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

coffee drinker — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 00:52:19 GMT

Doc says first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Eat 1/2 to 1 hour later.

Re: Question for those who take thyroid medication

Drlinda — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 01:18:29 GMT

I’m with coffee drinker.

Been taking synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroxine or whatever generic they send me for the past 30 years. Take it first thing in morning. Then I take my shower, walk the dog and eat my breakfast with coffee. That is about 30 minutes after the pill for food. I have never had an abnormal blood test, so I guess this works.