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Levothyroxine question

Victoria1234

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Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted

So my new med is generic levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.

it says on the internet to take it first thing, 30 minutes before food, with 8oz of water.

usually my day begins with coffee, which I put milk and sugar in. Is this considered food? Will this be bad? Or should I take the pill and go back to sleep for 30 minutes?

I've also been taking a supplement of magnesium citrate at night, just 1 pill. The internet says avoid milk of magnesia and other magnesium products. I'm assuming I should stop the magnesium?

the website I'm looking at is this: Open Original Shared Link

thanks for any help. I don't want to screw this up!

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PinkyGurl Explorer
PinkyGurl
Posted

When taking thyroid meds yes you need to take on empty stomach with water only 30-60 minutes prior to eating.  You should also avoid dairy or calcium containing things 4 hours around the pill as it decreases absorption.  Magnesium at bedtime will be fine as it leaves plenty of time before your thyroid pill.  Another option is to set an alarm for in the middle of the night to take your thyroid pill.  That way you could have your dairy creamer in the am with your coffee.

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted
  • Author
49 minutes ago, PinkyGurl said:

When taking thyroid meds yes you need to take on empty stomach with water only 30-60 minutes prior to eating.  You should also avoid dairy or calcium containing things 4 hours around the pill as it decreases absorption.  Magnesium at bedtime will be fine as it leaves plenty of time before your thyroid pill.  Another option is to set an alarm for in the middle of the night to take your thyroid pill.  That way you could have your dairy creamer in the am with your coffee.

Maybe when I naturally wake up to pee would be good. It's like clockwork.

my dose is 25mg, talk about the doc being cautious, huh? Anyone else taking such a low dose? 

Thank you PinkyGurl!

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I have been on thyroid replacement for 20 years.   My doctor initially gave me a tiny dose in hopes that my thyroid would not burn out from Hashi's.   That did not work.  My thyroid has since burned out.  I have taken thyroid replacement prior to bedtime, alternating doses throughout the week, splitting the dosage daily -- all under my doctor's care.  I must admit that I experienced a period of wild and unstable swings during menopause.  It drove my doctor crazy.  

I was super cautious in the beginning following the prescription recommendations...but that did not last.  I drink my coffee with cream as soon as I stumble out of bed.  It has not impacted my lab results at all and my thyroid has been tested plenty.    You should be retested in six weeks.  It takes that long for your body to adjust.  

Your mileage may vary!  

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted
  • Author
24 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

I have been on thyroid replacement for 20 years.   My doctor initially gave me a tiny dose in hopes that my thyroid would not burn out from Hashi's.   That did not work.  My thyroid has since burned out.  I have taken thyroid replacement prior to bedtime, alternating doses throughout the week, splitting the dosage daily -- all under my doctor's care.  I must admit that I experienced a period of wild and unstable swings during menopause.  It drove my doctor crazy.  

I was super cautious in the beginning following the prescription recommendations...but that did not last.  I drink my coffee with cream as soon as I stumble out of bed.  It has not impacted my lab results at all and my thyroid has been tested plenty.    You should be retested in six weeks.  It takes that long for your body to adjust.  

Your mileage may vary!  

Thanks for the advice!

hey, how does one know they have hashis vs. simply hypothyroidism? 

Ok so maybe I'll do the coffee thing anyways. My pharmacist who I just called a little while ago said it was all about consistency. So if you take with coffee, always take with coffee.

no big worries about the big menopause. I think I'm done with mine. I think, lol. My hot flashes seem to be over. Now tomorrow I'll get them back, right? That must have been a bear to deal with. 

Alright so maybe my doc is ok starting low. Heck it's still amazing they put me on anything at all!

im one to feel a new med almost as soon as I swallow it, so I've got high hopes to feeling a bit better soon. 

Thanks for the advice, cyclinglady 

 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

To determine Hashi's or Graves, you need to have your thyroid antibodies tested.  

Over four years past menopause and I STILL get hot flashes.  ? Had one exactly when the nurse was taking my temperature at the start of an office visit.   Hit 101.4, if I recall.  The nurse was amazed.  Within minutes, my temp was normal.  Did I mention he was male?  Told me he is going to be more sympathetic with his wife!  ?

Victoria1234 Experienced
Victoria1234
Posted
  • Author
14 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

To determine Hashi's or Graves, you need to have your thyroid antibodies tested.  

Over four years past menopause and I STILL get hot flashes.  ? Had one exactly when the nurse was taking my temperature at the start of an office visit.   Hit 101.4, if I recall.  The nurse was amazed.  Within minutes, my temp was normal.  Did I mention he was male?  Told me he is going to be more sympathetic with his wife!  ?

Wow, I didn't realize our temp really went up during a hot flash! How amazing!

since my hysterectomy in 2008, I've had hot flashes nearly every day until this summer. Recently started an estrogen patch to help them. Forgot to put one on in June and haven't used them since. I used to be able to feel my ovulation, but that hasn't happened in about a year. So I think all has stopped! The only thing left is the chronic pain from a nerve cluster they damaged during the hysterectomy :( 

so does it matter if I get tested for hashi's or do you think it's unlikely? I don't want to start sounding even more crazy to this particular doctor, lol.

 

fyi in case this is what is needed for hashis 

Free t3 

3.50 pg/mL

2.71-6.16 pg/m 

 

Free t4

 
0.92 ng/dL 0.71-1.40 ng/dL

 

Ena test 

 
0.40 ENA Units <0.70 ENA Units
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