Calcium and synthroid

[hope4thegoodstuff]

I have read somewhere that calcium supplements make synthroid ineffective.  I think it even says something about that on the informational sheets that are given with your meds.  And yet, my Dr's never seem to know about that.  I'd like to continue my calcium when I start getting back on hormones (still waiting for RAI).  What do you folks know about this?

[Smilerdeb]

I dont know the reason Juliva but it is a well known fact that Vitamin D is obtained through intestinal absorption and through sun exposure. Its role is to increase intestinal calcium absorption.
I have heard so many people here are deficient in Calcium and Vitamin D and there must be some reason why.
Maybe someone else has the answer to this one.

[juliva]

Do Thyroid patients have a tendency to have low Vit. D and Calcium levels? If so, what would be the reason?

[hope4thegoodstuff]

Information like that helps tremendously.  Wow, you folks keep track of a lot of stuff.  This ain't for wimps is it?  I have a PCP that is awesome, but don't get to speak to him as I am still dealing with the endo doc.  I don't find her as forthcoming and feel that she may be a bit more difficult to work with.  She had told me that once I get thru the RAI, I'd be dealing with her only once a year, so I hope that she is planning on letting my PCP deal with me on a regular basis.  I kind of live out in the middle of nowhere and endocrinology is 1hour and 1/2 away.  Reg doc is 40 miles.  So he'd probably be the one to check with on vitamin deficiancies.
In any case, thanks for the advice.

[Smilerdeb]

I had RAI and I had a few problems at the start of the Thyroxin absorbing so my Doctor recommended taking a Calcium/D3 combination and since taking Calcium/D3, my levels evened out and I am doing great.
I even tried taking the thyroxine at night and it did help somewhat but am now back to taking Thyroxin when I wake and Calcium before bed.
It is also important to get checked for any vitamin deficiences.
Zinc, magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, Selenium, Cortisol levels too.
I was deficient in B12 and zinc.
I went on zinc for 2 months and then stopped as levels were fine but stayed on Vitamin B12 as this is great for anxiety.
As for the Calcium/D3...this helps me with my bones as I am nearing 50 and need the Calcium and the D3 helps the thyroxin to absorb properly.
Hope that helps :)

[hope4thegoodstuff]

I was part of another discussion and mentioned that I feel trembly inside a lot of the time.  It was mentioned that I may need to take more Calcium.  I am currently taking 1000 mg's and 1000 mgs of vit D.  How do you decide if you are getting enough and when you may need more.  Dr's are not very forth coming in the vitamin area.  They just sort of blow by those questions.  

[choirgirl]

My endo recommended calcium - but to take it at a different time of day because my synthroid needs a chance to absorb first.  I take synthroid in the morning and calcium at night.

[hope4thegoodstuff]

That's two for two.  Thanks.  : )

[redheadaussie]

It is only ineffective if you take it within anywhere up to four hours of your thyroid medication.
You should take the calcium later in the day.

[zfaith]

I have to take calcium b/c of damage done during my TT.  I was told to make sure that I take them 4 hours apart from each other.  Hope this helps.  Faith