You're Taking Your Thyroid Medication The Wrong Way
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Are you taking your thyroid medication correctly? If not, it may not be doing its job. This video will walk you through how you should be taking your thyroid medication for the best results.
Including how to take levothyroxine, how to take Synthroid, and how to take other forms of thyroid medications such as natural desiccated thyroid.
Before you blame your symptoms on your thyroid make sure you are following these guidelines:
- Take your thyroid medication either first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed
- Take your thyroid medication at least 30-60 minutes AWAY from food (either before or after)
- Do NOT take supplements at the same time as your thyroid medication, take them at least 30-60 minutes away from whenever you take your thyroid meds
- If you are taking a dedicated calcium or iron supplement then make sure to take your thyroid medication 4 hours away from whenever you take these supplements
- Do NOT take your thyroid medication with coffee or caffeine
- Remember that NOT all thyroid medications are created equal - switch to a thyroid medication that has fewer fillers if necessary
- Treat your gut to improve thyroid hormone absorption
By focusing on these areas you can potentially improve how effective your thyroid medication is and then you will be able to determine if you are on the right medication for your body.
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): www.restartmed.com/start-here/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto's: bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: bit.ly/3t70yHo
See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here:
www.restartmed.com/shop/
Want more from my blog? I have more than 400+ well-researched blog posts on thyroid management, hormone balancing, weight loss, and more. See all blog posts here:
www.restartmed.com/blog/
Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: apple.co/3kNYTCS
Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: www.restartmed.com/what-happe...
This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's
Been taking mine wrong then for over 30 years. No one ever told me or ever discussed it with me
Registered nurse here, and thyroid patient. Some people will have interrupted sleep if they take it at night. Also, I set my alarm for 6 am and take my thyroid med then…empty stomach with water. Since I don’t eat until later in the day, I have hours before and after NPO. Also if you take PPI, or antacids make sure you leave a couple of hours before or after thyroid med. I can tell you with certainty, having worked in American and Canadian hospitals administer many meds incorrectly. A glaring example is Parkinson’s meds…which should be strictly on time and rarely are. We see Parkinson’s patients come into hospital for one thing and leave having deteriorated because their meds have been bad,y administered. I have seen this as a nurse and as the spouse of a patient.
While I’m the hospital for a total thyroidectomy that resulted in hypocalcemia (and kept me in for a week) they would give me levothyroxine WITH all the crazy calcium supplements and also Pepcid. Needless to say this resulted in them increasing my dose way too much because I wasn’t absorbing any of it. Months of meds later and luckily my parathyroid healed, I didn’t need the calcium and my dose has stabilized, but it’s crazy to me that this is how meds are given in the hospital.
This is sooo true!! Nurse her as well and working to increase my T3 and T4 temporarily with NP thyroid( as well as through diet and gut health) . Hardly ever did they give thyroid or Parkinson’s medicine on time, in the places I have worked.
I'm going to try at night before bed since I needs my coffee in the morning. Yes, needs.
Results I've been taking it in the morning 4 weeks now and nitnjgn seems different
@@D.3100 how so? Does it keep you up at night?
@@-living4jesus4ever- taking thyroid at bedtime is not the same as eating, if you just have it with a sip of water.
An addict always *needs* their addiction of choice
I noticed after taking thyroid medication 40 yrs. I would notice that my vision would improve if my thyroid level was higher rather then lower
I have been taking levothyroxine for two years and still overweight. I'll try this tonight
Did it help?
To ensure I take it on an empty stomach and not interfere with my morning coffee I put my thyroid med on my nightstand and glass of water . Usually sometimes around 3:00 am I will briefly wake .. When I rouse I reach over and take my pill which is already out of the bottle..That way I have an empty stomach.. I then go back to sleep .. This has worked great for me, my stomach is empty and no worries about my coffee interfering..
I have just switched to taking my thyroid before bed and I can SO tell a difference! Thank you for letting me in on this secret. Lol! NONE of my doctor's over the last 20 years!
Can we take before bed ? Nothing happen
My dad is losing weight
How do you stop eating and use it enough? I am famished after 3 to 4 hours before bed. I heard we have to stop eating 3 to 4 hours before taking but that’d mean 6:30pm stop eating to sleep by 9:30pm! :(
@@kathleenshunstrom4461 thank you, that really helps me, and inspires me. Maybe I can do it. I have read that I need to take thyroid 3 to 4 hours away from food if taken at night and I’ve also him say 2 hours is sufficient. What do you do? I started NP thyroid today for the first time. Was taking levothyroxine before and didn’t do much so I got off it for a year. Now my antibodies are 477…so I’ve got to heal up! My joints were starting to hurt like I have arthritis even though I’m 39 so that was a wake up call for me!
That’s awesome to hear you like taking thyroid at night better! What’s the main way you feel better-more energy??
I wake up every day 4/5 in the morning take my thyroid pill and go back to sleep until 7/8 it's a habit that doesn't even wake me up. Then wait until lunch to get my iron. But it's nice to know that I could take before going to bed because I was told it had to be with an empty stomach.
You get to sleep til 7/8???? Wow!!!!
Yeah, thats why we are advised not to eat 2-3 hours before bed otherwise effect won't be present.
I wish I had been given this information when I first began thyroid supplements!
Wow I have been taking mine in the morning and then having coffee🥴
Well better late than never knowing to take it at bed time!👏👏👏
Boy oh boy, I've been taking this all wrong for years! Appreciate this video.
I take mine when I wake to use the bathroom - usually between 4-5am and then go back to sleep - which sounds ideal based on this video - since my stomach will have absorbed anything from the previous day and there are several hours before I will eat.
I do this too!
Wow, thanks so much. I 've been talking my thyroid hormone in the morning, but I also have to take iron supplements, and no one, no doctor, or pharmacist, have told me the four hour rule! I' ll be taking the hormones before bed from now on. 👍😉
Very good information, thank you.
Best information ever❣️❣️
My hair has been thinning, and so have my eyebrows. So disgusted with life. Now I have found this doctor, and another one. I will, listen, and take notes and really pray. I have had these issues for many years. Dr. Childs, you are absolutely heaven sent. I’m 74, but I look absolutely terrible. Had decided there was no hope for me. Listened to another doctor yesterday, and had already figured I’d have to give up coffee, and iron, and the green, “c” veggies. Thank you for being so precise with your teaching.
How now you hair?Still thining?
Thank you for thus informative video.
Thank you, great presentation very important subject 😊
OK, OK! Thank you! I needed a kick in the rear on this!
Thank you so much for educating all of us
Thank you!
I appreciate all of your advice & guidance. Do you have a video discussing multiple dosing throughout the day?
Great information, thankyou 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Ii
Thank you ❤
Thank you
My Endocrinologist agrees that thyroid medication is ideally taken right before bed however recommends taking it in the morning just for the fact that many people tend to fall asleep watching TV in bed and that results in missing doses.
Great info, especially that Tirosint can be taken with food. More people need to know this as waking up an hour before having breakfast to take your meds is something I don't need in my life. Also about looking at your GI tract if things don't go well. I'm well, my lab tests are fine. I had TT in 1999 and it took me 2 years to get things right. I'm now wheat free (not gluten free) - that's what helped with the absorption. I also take T3 and I have to take this with food, otherwise I get palpitations and tachicardia when it kicks in. No absorption problems since I stopped eating wheat.
I had a thyroid firestorm in the early 90's with a resting heart rate of 160! My endocrinologist administered the nuke uptake therapy and placed me on synthroid. It took a while to get to a good balance of t3 & t4. Through the years I have been advised never switch to another treatment other than synthroid. I have had dosage adjustments through the years, however feel I have done very well on this medication.
I’ve been doing all these three for years!!! From the get go my doc said to take my thyroid meds in the morning and wait an hour before eating. And since starting supplementing, I wait about 2 hours after taking thyroid meds.
Thank you I always have a problem taking at morning so I always end up drinking my tea or coffee which our craves early morning thank you again best advice ever for me
Excellent I’ve learned more in this week that I subscribed versus the twenty years my son has been on these meds…thank you for sharing and caring…stay blessed
Dr Childs thank u so much for all the info. You are God sent. I had a TT 8 weeks ago. Can u tell me how long before I get my singing voice back?
I take mine between 1 am and 4 am when I get up to go to the bathroom. Have done this for years. Never had to increase my dose.
Great video 🙏🏽💙
I’m so upset to know, I’ve been on Levi thyroxine for 23 years never took it right was never told her to take it right! Also my body never absorbed it right!!!! THANK YOU!!!
I tried taking my Armour thyroid before bed and couldn't go to sleep for HOURS! I was so sleepy, but my brain wouldn't relax and I stayed up until the next morning smh...i had to take a long nap early in the day... never again lol. I take it every morning now.
Am going to start taking at need
Dash, I've been taking my blood pressure tablets, statins and thyroxine at the same time in the morning. Yes, I wait an hour before breakfast.
Very tired on the habit and after listening to this video and sound advice, I'll be taking my thyroxine alone. I'll take the other meds a couple of hours later.
I, TOO AM A BSN NURSE AND ONLY IN ONE HOSPITAL THAT I WORKED IN AT NIGHTS REQUIRED THE PATIENT'S NEEDED THYROID MEDICATION TO BE GIVEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH AT LEAST 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO BREAKFAST. THAT IS THE ONLY BEST WAY FOR IT TO BE TAKEN FOR THE BODY TO ABSORB IT WITH GREATEST EFFICACY.
Great content! You’re a clear communicator and address specific topics thoroughly yet easy to understand. Thank you!
Hi Dr. Childs, thank you for all your useful posts. I take Levothyroxine 75mg also 20mg Esomeprazole can I take them together an hour before breakfast?
Good to know..
Docs have never adjusted my synthroid. In fact, I have gone weeks without on a few occasions BC of unresponsive docs. I usually wake up at 3-4 AM To let the dogs out and take it then. Else 30 min b4 coffee or anything else. I recently went without for a few weeks. Totally felt the difference this time
Thank you for this video. I have been taking my meds wrong for 20+ years, no wonder I always feel lethargic and cold. I will now take my meds when I wake between 3 and 4 am and hopefully I will see an improvement 🤗
I have been taking my synthroid for 10 years every morning without fail and about 3 months ago I switched to right before bed and this has made a noticeable difference
same here - heard I should wait 30 min but ignored because I really like to start my day with coffee. Maybe why I still have low thyroid symptoms but my blood levels test out ok.
When/what time of day is best to take Levothyroxine?
What about taking methimazole for hyper Thyroid? Early morning and during the night? Also, can we take probiotics as well?
Thank you so much Dr. Childs. I tried switching my Levothyroxine and Liothyronine at night for a month. I started to put on weight and feeling cold. My gastric paresis also got worse. Please advise why this happened.
I take niacin and progesterone before I sleep. Where would I fit NDT meds with my night time routine? After or before the niacin and progesterone?
So, I just found your great channel....many years too late, but better late than never😂. I do have a question about the timing of the morning med--- I have been taking it first thing-ish with my Sencha green tea, inevitably cool with the early morning activities----I don't breakfast for another hour at the very earliest.
I take my Levothyroxin in the middle of the night because I usually wake up briefly around 1:00 in the morning. I take it with a couple of ounces of water. I do this because I am a morning person who eats breakfast almost immediately after I wake up. I am active the minute I get out of bed (I do a lot of farm chores and run), so I need to eat right away. I also take high-dose prescription calcium supplement and an iron supplement so I find that taking my T4 in the middle of the night gives me plenty of time to absorb it without competition from food, coffee, or vitamins and minerals.
We have a family history of thyroid. Mom had it and so do we three sisters. As a rule we get our thyroid function checked every 6 months in case any adjustment in the dosage is required. We were advised to have it first thing in the morning even before we brush our teeth. Then wait half an hour before our first cup of tea. We all have followed this advice for the last 50 years and have done quite well.
what dosage you take of T4 and t3?
@@Captain_Tiger I take Thyronom 100 mg tablet once a day(first thing in the morning). Depending on my 6 monthly reports, sometimes I am prescribed 75 mg tablet a day. Right now it is 100 mg.
What do you think about taking Dessicated Liver Caps instead of Iron Caps? I hear it's much better and no side effects.
I really wish I had found this information 10 years ago when I was first put on levothyroxin. I have had my thyroid levels checked yearly and the dr claims my levels are within normal range, yet I still have all the symptoms of low thyroid as well as continual weight gain. I’m inactive due to pain and barely able to eat….weight gain. I’m sick and unable to eat solid foods for a week or 2….weight gain. I’m feeling good and getting out being active….massive weight gain. Low calorie restrictive diet….either weight gain or at the very best my weight holds steady. The drs treat me as if I am just another morbidly obese person that doesn’t know how to stop eating. Yet compared to my skinny youth where I ate constantly all day long, I barely eat at all.
I’m miserable and was just about ready to just give up entirely with trying to feel better. But I am going to switch from taking my levothyroxin when I first wake up and instead try taking it when I go to bed. I’m desperate!
It’s also very possible that Levothyroxine just doesn’t work great for you. That’s what I found, and when I switched to Armour Thyroid, I was able to start losing weight and feeling better. Best of luck to you!!
PS: I had to switch from my endocrinologist to a naturopathic doctor to get better meds. Can be expensive, but health is worth it.
UPDATE: I switched for a month and was taking the Levothyroxin at bedtime and my symptoms got MUCH worse. So I'm back to taking it in the morning.
@@maninamerica2046 easier said than done in rural America.
@BlackRoseJenn. Are you taking a generic version of levothyroxine? If so, that may be a problem for you, as it was for me. The generic version can come from various sources, and while the active ingredient is the same, the inactive ingredients can differ. When I took the generic prescription, I was having a lot of health problems, and it was because the medication varied from month-to-month. In my case, every 3 months my blood test results varied so much that my doctor said I needed to go back to Synthroid for a consistent prescription. I had started with Synthroid in the beginning of my treatment, but tried using the generic to save $$$. Also, I was told Synthroid is the only brand name version made in the US. The generics and other brand names are made in China.
@@alexandrea3740 yes I am taking the generic. My lab results keep coming back that my thyroid levels are good, but my symptoms are that of low thyroid levels. I'm on a really low dose though.
Hello Dr westin childs
Thank you doc. For that information ❤️my doc. Said I take thyroid medication 30 mins. Before meals
That's probably ok for most people but better to wait longer if possible.
Thank you so much. I’ve been taking Synthroid with coffee for decades. No doctor ever told me not to do this. The doctor just said to not take Synthroid with breakfast. So now I will try it at night. God bless you. 💕💕💕💕
Same!!! Grrrrrrrrr
Same here!
Same here
I take my Synthriod in the morning at,I wait a hour later to eat breakfast,cereal with Almond milk
If you take armor at night, does that interfere with sleep?
WHAT ABOUT T3, as we need to take 2 times a day
Thank you! I take the two dose way and how would that work at night. I love my coffee in Morning and waited just a short bit before! I want to switch to night time. Would CBD be ok to take and I take a thyroid supplement and Omega 3 Magnesium. I learned a lot🦋
Thank you so very much for this invaluable information! I mentioned to my endocrinologist that I’d heard (from you) we should wait an hour to eat etc, and he thought it sounded silly. I also mentioned it to nurses while staying in hospital, where they give you the meds along with breakfast, and they had never heard anything about it either.
Your endo sounds like an idiot like mine. It even says it on the prescription label
Me too I tried to tell them the correct time to take it but they brushed it off saying they didn't have time to do that, but they found time to wake me up at three thirty for blood pressure
And yet they woke me at 5am to take mine when I was in hospital in perth!
Amazing how many people don't read the papers that come with the prescription. So crucial to take meds, correctly.
Was told by my endocrinologist to take thyroid medication at least 30minutes or 1hour before food in the morning
Can I take my thyroxine at bedtime with astorvastatin?
Other than sugar and alcohol what other substances are dangerous for Methimazole takers?How does vinegar effect Hyperthyroidism?
Coffee is likely a big issue for everyone. I had one pharmacist ask me if I drank coffee with milk. He said that I might as well not take it because the calcium will interfere with the absorption of the levothyroxine. I stopped taking it for a while and my TSH spiked to upper 200s. My endo clarified that the calcium wouldn't be that bad. She didn't mention the fact that coffee stimulates the GI Tract.
But after missing so many pills in the morning, and my TSH not budging, I finally moved it to evening, where I have no trouble remembering it before bed, which works better for my ADHD and, thanks to your video, my levothyroxine absorption. My TSH has since returned to normal. I recommend evening time for everyone.
Thank you for this video! Can you do some videos on how to have a healthy gut?
What ne xt I have been tKing thyroid meds half in morn half at night. I need them both Nd can feel the difference in 30 mins😊
😮 Did not know night time was an option. Sadly I was told I could have coffee after 30 minutes which is something I do a couple times a week. The majority of the time I sleep two hours after thyroid medicine.
Have weight gain issues. Do you have any videos for those who have had Total Thyroidectomy’s ?
Hi Doc I have tyroid problem for five years
For the first time, in 30+ years, my (new) endo said to take my NDT before sleep! My basal temperature jumped to 36.5C after three nights!
You seem to be talking about thyroid hormone medication as in thyroxin. What about methemazole for hypethyroidism or Graves?
Me too!😊
So magnesium is ok ?
I take my levothyroxine with a large tumbler of Zipfizz. I also take iron with breakfast. I will correct my process. Keytruda immunotherapy destroyed my thyroid and I am new to taking any medication.😮
I was taking it correctly ( at night) doctor told me in morning! JC 😐
Tirosint was the very worst at making me ill, so that told me that it's not the binders and fillers in some cases. Only thing that works for me is NDT, split into two doses, half in morning, half mid-afternoon. Granted not what works for most people. But I think it shows we are individuals and need to find out what works for us individually.
What is NDT ??
Is this specific to T4 or also T3?
question is dim ok to take if u have hashimoto's disease
Hello! I am taking Tirosint gel capsules but I was taking the liquid Tirosint on & off but I noticed when I took it on an empty stomach #1 it nauseated me #2 I have essential tremors & I noticed when I took it on an empty stomach it made my tremors worse throughout the day. Now I take Tirosint 62.5mg gel capsules w/food (my choice, not told by my Dr.) & she instructed me to take two (2) 62.5mgI on Sunday (Dr. says it's difficult to titrate dosages) & I feel So much better & tremors are no intense. I had the thought that Winter & Summer our bodies respond differently with the weather & perhaps the thyroid levels definitely (as well as any other time throughout the year) need to be check as standard thyroid checks. #justanobservation of my body.
Thanks a lot Doc for your help!🙏🏻 one question: So that means that I can also take L-thyroxine in the afternoon as long as there is 1 hour between meals right? Thank you again!
We have to allow 3 to 4 hours, that’s why the evening is so hard for me, and I wish it worked!
Please do a video on gut improvement.
I'll add it to the list.
What about B12 and Vitamin D? Will they interfere with the absorption of of Levothyroxine?
After taking Methimazole for two years I gained 100 lbs. I'm going to stop taking it. What do you think will happen?
I am a retired BSN NURSE, THE HOSPITALS I WORKED IN HAD NIGHT NURSES TO GIVE PATIENTS THAT TOOK THYROID MEDS EARLY BEFORE THEY HAD BREAKFAST. I THOUGHT ALL HOSPITALS WOULD DO THE SAME. PATIENTS NEED TO REQUEST TO RECEIVE THEIR THYROID MEDICATION EARLIER THAN THEIR BREAKFAST AND OTHER MEDICATIONS.
My PCM put me on a high dosage of Vitamin D2 (50,000 IUs) which I actually do take once a week.
Omg. I cant believe this! Why cant your doctor or pharmacist tell you this important info!
When can I take Levothyrozine if I drink broth in the morning? I am trying to cut back on coffee intake by switching to bone broth .
I am taking Atorvastatin before bed and after listening to " You;re taking your thyroid medication the wrong way, I would like to start taking my Levothroxine also in the evening. Should I space these two meds?
Can I take R-Ala when taking levothyroxine? Again I read somewhere that it is ok if taken 4 hrs apart - I need the R-Ala for neuropathy & other health reasons !
Gastric bypass patient concerned about absorbtion had thyroidectomy and partical parathyroid removed on mon home from hospital. Also Have uti on macrobid stopped multivitamin prior to surgery and haven't restarted told to take calcium supplements doing so 4hrs away from all other meds etc. Just concerned about weight gain in future as well as overall health.
When my Dr 1st put me on Armour Thyroid he told me to take in the morning on an empty stomach and take nothing else for 30 minutes. Recently I got a new PCM. She told me to take it 60 minutes before anything else. I try to take it at 6:00 in the morning. Then I take Losartan for blood pressure and Invokana for diabetes at least an hour later.I take an anti depression medicine right before
Can I take T3 before going to sleep ?
Won’t the wine I drink at night affect the efficiency of the medication too?
MY Dr. isn't particular about when I take my Methimazole as long as its 1 hour before and after meals.I take mine 6 pm 1 hour after and 1 hour before meal! Generally I tend to feel better taking my medication like that!
can i take the meds with lemon water in the morning?
Never occurred to me I could take it at night!
I get up at 4am. I have one cup of coffee with a dash of cream. At 5:30am I take my NPThyroid. Then I go for my morning hike. About an one and one half hours later, I come home and either have breakfast or fast until noon.
The calcium in the cream will interfere with your absorption
@@HawkSAR93 Had my hormones checked and they were spot on so guess my coffee with a dash of cream is fine for me.
I had a thyroidectomy and am taking Levothyroxine 150mcg/day first thing in the morning. I've been staying away from foods containing calcium for breakfast and waiting 4 hours from the times I take the Levo. Since your video talks about calcium and iron isolated supplements only, am I being too cautious? Can I have foods for breakfast that contain calcium, 30 to 60 mins after I take the Levo? Thank you for your information.
If you're condition has gotten to the point of slowed metabolism, should you allow more time between taking the meds and eating or drinking?
I just started my very first pill this morning. Take thyroid, T3 and four. First thing on the nightstand, and by the time I got to my coffee that has either a little butter or a little coconut oil with Stevia, I would say 20 minutes has gone by. I sure hope this is enough time and wonder if those coffee additives are considered competitive nutrients or the caffeine is a problem being after the thyroid.
Dr Childs, do I really have to not eat for 3 to 4 hours after dinner to take my thyroid before bed? I have such a high metabolism I am famished by bed without a snack. I go to bed 9:30pm so stopping all eating by 6:30, especially socially, would be so hard for me. Is it that much better to take it at night or is morning totally fine? Thank you!!
I have always taken Armour Thyroid first thing in the morning and eat an hour after..
So what if we're taking the hormone sublingually?
I watch your other video about sublingual. Does coffee also apply to taking sublingual too? Also I take both unithroid and cytomel. I wouldn’t take the cytomel at night?
Thanks for info. I will take thyroid med. at night. I am coffee drinker.