Question for those who take thyroid medication

Paisley Park · ‎04-01-2016

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.

pdlinda · ‎10-23-2011

@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.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

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.

dulwich · ‎01-18-2012

@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

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

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.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@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.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

sophiamarie · ‎08-08-2013

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.

tsavorite · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

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

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

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.