levothroxine and gastric problems

[mjred]

I'm taking my Levothroxine as prescribed on an empty stomach an hour before eating.  I tend to get a stomach ache everytime though.  Is there something I can do differently?  Also can one have their coffee while waiting to eat an hour later or is that also out of the question?
Thanks,
mjred

[lee747]

A related discussion, what's the reason for waiting to eat after taking thyroid med was started.

[islandgirl80]

Coffee contains tannins just like chocolate, and wine! These inhibit the effect of your thyorid medication! As well as previously mentioned here, dairy and more specifically Calcium so if you are taking supplements take those away from your meds! Also a group of foods known as Goitrogens are what to avoid such as SOY, PEANUTS, CHOCOLATE, I suggest google searching Goitrogenic foods.

[DOCHDOCH]

Maybe this will help. I too have problems with a stomach ache when I take my thryroid meds. Two weeks ago I changed from taking it first thing in the morning to last thing at night before I go to bed. It worked. I don't have any stomach ache any more and no problem sleeping either. Could work for you too maybe??

Dianne

PS Just gotta make sure you eat 3 hours or more before you go to bed and don't have dairy with your evening meal. I actually feel better taking it at night for some reason.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

consistency is the key -- the one hour recommendation may be ideal but is likely not necessary for all patients.  

Good advice about brand change -- the "fillers" differ from product to product and a switch to brand Levoxyl may help.

black coffee is fine while waiting....

[pjgovitz]

my doc said black coffee with my synthroid is ok

[kitcurious]

There are a lot of brands of levothyroxine out there.  I Ta ke Levoxy and it lists no lactose.
Talk to your doctor about that.
Until then, I would not drink caffeinated coffee on top of a tummy ache. Could make it worse.

[mjred]

This is mjred again and want to add something to the above statement.  I just discovered that levothyroxine has lactose monohydrate in it as an inactive ingred.  I'm very food sensitive to cow's mild and all related products.  Now what do I do?