Synthroid and fiber??

[KattyKaye]

I finally got to see the Endo yesterday, he was awesome explained everything, tested for everything all of you talk about  I'm pleased that I didn't have all the struggles many of you have had with your docs.

Here's my question the doc talked about taking the Synthroid on an empty stomach and waiting at least an hour before eating.  I've read on here that fiber inhibits absorption of Synthroid.  I have to eat Oatmeal or some form of fiber every morning for some digestive issues I have, so should I be taking the Synthroid at night so the fiber doesn't bother the meds?  The doc said it doesn't matter, but for me if I take pills at night and forget then it's hours before I think of it again, but if I take them in the morning chances are better of remembering.

Thanks for all the great information on here.  I was prepared for my appointment yesterday.

[Galsal59]

Same with me Katty although last year when I began avoiding white foodstuffs there was a dramatic change about the problem.  Not entirely gone but loads better.  

Removing the gallbladder due to gall stones changed nothing back when it was done.

[KattyKaye]

About five years ago I had my gallbladder removed.  The surgeon asurred me that my digestion would return to pregallbladder levels.  Well it didn't.  Whenever I eat out I have what is called "fill and dump" symdrome (there is a real name, but I don't know it).  Basically because I can't control the amount of fat when I eat out I have immediate diareah (sp).  If I eat a fiber breakfast then I have less problems.

[LazyMoose]

A comment about about fiber and digestive. Unless you are aware of a specific reason for your digestive issiues-

Hypothyroid itself is a reason for digestive issues - almost all of them sometimes. And most doctors dont think this far. Its not necessarily a separate issue as some think.  Your digestive tract, muscles and chemical composition, low acid, speed are slowed down - making room for bad bacteria also. If you aren't on a GOOD probiotic, try it, may work much better than fiber alone. That and T3 and diet, cured my digestive issues over 6 months.

Night sweats arnt just a female thing. Men here report this as well. Thyroid levels are off, or other hormones. Adjusting thyroid meds will do this too. Low Free T3 can cause this too. Most report this happening at 2 -5 AM.

As far as food / drink altering med absorption - its about repetitiveness. You must do the same thing every day, or else its the SAME as taking a different dose every day, for real.

[Galsal59]

haven't hit a point yet now that have started on thyroid med of not getting the middle of the night sweats, but that may be due to keeping it cooler so the itchy neck doesn't wake me up.  if my neck gets too hot and sweaty, it itches horribly and wakes me up.  thinking will try and not keep it so cool to test what occurs.  certainly for a weekend trial and not work days!

fwiw, i've been this way about getting hot during the night since at least my early 20s.

[Smilerdeb]

It is from the thyroid levels.
Great to hear you are on meds now.

[KattyKaye]

I'm glad you brought up the night sweats, I have been getting them for the last six months.  Yesterday was my first day on meds. so I know it's not from the pills.

[Smilerdeb]

I still got the sweats sometimes....really no reason why...only when mu levls are off or my T4 med is a bit high and I cut down by 12.5mcg for a day.

It looks like its both a hypo and hyper thing but I do know the thyroid does dump early hours of the morning and some nights I would have to check to make sure I hadnt wet the bed lol!

I havent had them like that though since Ive had no thyroid.

[Galsal59]

thanks...this is an ah-ha moment for me then since it's usually between 2a-4a that I wake up from the sweats.  always just thought it was that I got too hot while sleeping.  would rarely turn on the heater to ward off waking up sweating.  oh and don't get me started about during the summer!  

[Barb135]

I get those sweats also; in my case it's usually between 2-3 am.  Haven't been able to decide what causes them because I had them before med, during my most hypo times and even though most of my symptoms are gone now and my levels are good, I still get them.

[Smilerdeb]

The thyroid 'dumps' hormones around 3-4am.
I used to get those sweats when I still had a thyroid but had RAI...there was a 3 month gap with me having RAI first then a TT.
I was on thyroxin 5 weeks after RAI....as I was clinically hypo.

I also got those sweats pretty bad when I was hyper prior to RAI.

[Galsal59]

are you certain the 3am sweats are from that?  i get those without any med.  just a thought.

[Smilerdeb]

I have tried both..day and night.
I found that taking it just before bed was ideal in one way as I would put it beside my bed with a glass of water but then I would experience hot sweats around 3am.
But in the morning...I take my heart med at 5.30am then my T4 at 6.30am.
I once took both together (sillt me!) and felt like I was off my face as I didnt realise that the heart med accellerates the effects if taken with thyroxine lol.

So I went back to morning taking it....and agaist of what the most people say here, I have my cup of coffee after taking it.
I think consistancy is the key and its also wise not to take the thyroxin before labs.
Get your labs done as early in the morning as possible.

I remember back to when I first starting taking it....I was hypo and felt like a junkie when going for labs because I would take the thyroxin as soon as blood was drawn.
I used to feel as if I was 'hanging out for it ' lol.

You can take it when you first wake up then have your oats an hour later.
Its all trial and error at the beginning and getting to know your 'comfort zones'.

Good Luck :o)

[annamae26]

i take mine at night and it works best for me. you can google taking thyroid meds at night and read about gastrointestinal issues that include fiber issues and why if you take it at night you don t have those issues. i eat dinner early and take it at about 11 or so  also keeps me from night snacking and helps my wt stay low.

[Barb135]

If you take your synthroid first thing when you wake up, with a full cup of water, then wait the hour before eating anything, you should be okay with your oatmeal or whatever you are having for breakfast.  Just make sure that you separate your thyroid med from vitamins/minerals, by at least 4 hours.  

I've heard of some people taking their synthroid at night, I know it wouldn't work for me and I don't see a need for it in your case, so long as you wait an hour before eating.