Synthroid why take in the morning

It is well documented that food and a number of medications can decrease the absorption of levothyroxine. This is especially true with calcium and iron pills. Consequently, many patients are instructed to take their levothyroxine on an empty stomach before breakfast and to wait up until an hour before eating. Some patients find this timing inconvenient. A prior study suggested that taking levothyroxine at bedtime was equally as effective in providing stable thyroid hormone levels.

The goal of this study was to compare the effect of taking levothyroxine at bedtime as opposed to taking it before breakfast. Effects of evening vs. Arch Intern Med. Take Synthroid once a day, every day at the same time before breakfast. Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating or drinking anything other than water. Foods containing soy and cottonseed meal can make Synthroid less effective. Walnuts, grapefruit juice, and dietary fiber can also make Synthroid less effective. If you eat any of these on a regular basis, check with your doctor.

He or she may need to adjust your dose of Synthroid. Some supplements and medications can also interfere with the way Synthroid works. To avoid this, you should take Synthroid 4 hours before or after taking:. A: It is important to take Synthroid exactly as your doctor prescribed.

If you miss a dose, speak with your doctor for advice on what to do. A: When traveling to another country or time zone, ask the doctor or pharmacist if you need to adjust the time of day that you take Synthroid. Remember to pack more tablets than you need in your carry-on bag or purse in case you get delayed or decide to stay longer. Myth or fact? Specifically, antacids , calcium , cholesterol drugs , and iron supplements can each interfere with the way the thyroid hormone is absorbed.

So, you should take these particular drugs four hours before or after taking your thyroid medication, according to the U. National Library of Medicine. Most other medication can typically be taken 45 minutes to an hour after your hypothyroidism treatment , Bianco says. Medications and Supplements to Consider and Avoid.

Some medication will affect the way your thyroid hormone is absorbed, including birth control pills , estrogen , testosterone , seizure drugs, and some depression medication , according to the American Thyroid Association ATA. Likewise, any time you stop taking these drugs or make any changes, your thyroid hormone dose may need to be adjusted, and you should see your healthcare provider then, too.

Per the ATA , every brand and generic thyroid medication contains the same amount of thyroid replacement hormone. However, many endocrinologists believe that there is a variation in hormone content among the various brands, and that there are additional factors that can interfere with how the hormone is absorbed with each one, notes the ADA.

Therefore, when getting a prescription filled at the pharmacy, you should not change from one brand to another, from a brand name to a generic, or from one generic to another without first checking with your doctor. The synthetic thyroid hormone T4 is relatively safe, and you shouldn't worry if you accidentally take an extra dose, Bianco says.

But taking an excessive amount could have side effects — it can make you feel tired, affect your sleep and concentration, lead to bone loss, or cause irregular heartbeats, according to the Cleveland Clinic.