what's worse - taking meds too early, or after eating?

[mscholtz]

I'm on levoxyl.

Last night I went to bed earlier than normal, and woke up at like 4am, couldn't go back to sleep.  By 7am I was ravenously hungry, and as I've been having problems w/ reactive hypoglycemia, I figured i shouldn't wait to eat.  But I usually take my levoxyl at around 9:30.  

I decided to eat breakfast, then wait at least 2 hours, then take the pill.
Would it have been better to take the pill 3 hours early, but before eating?

[gimel]

What are you thyroid test results now, for Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH?   Also need to know your lab's reference ranges for those tests.

[monarch59]

As of Nov 2011, I started taking Armour and take it at bedtime.   I have my last snack and an hour later take the Armour and go to bed.   8-hours later, wWhen I woke up my eyes were no longer sensitive to light.  On day 2, I felt a better stamina, less hair loss, no body aches.  The only symptom I am dealing with is a mild-depression.  At the beginning of 2011 I had 19 symptoms and now only dealing with a mild depresssion.

[monarch59]

I was diagnosed in 2004 & prescribed Levothyroxine. I was told to take it in the A M.  In 2009, I discovered that my taking it at BEDTIME I felt super.  I take it 1 hour after my last snack.  It regulated the circadian rhythm, BM; aches disappeared, dizziness disappeared, less hair loss, lethargy disappeared,
I am now on Armour Thyroid and still take it at bedtime.  I had immediate NEW results after taking it at bedtime.
The purpose is to take the medication, to absorb it and to benefit from the medication.  I feel that we cannot benefit by taking it in the A M and having it go down the toilet during the day.

By taking it at bedtime, I get MAXIMUM ABSORPTION and none is going down the toilet.

[Thypatient]

I was told to take it on an empty stomach, so first thing in the morning assures that (not sure how long it takes for a stomach to empty?).

My dr said it’s okay to have a bit of a window of time in the morning for taking the med.  I asked because my job has me waking earlier on some mornings.  Depending on my day’s schedule, I take it earlier so I can have coffee (a vice) a couple of hours later and take it later when I don’t have to get up so early.

[kitty9309]

Since Levoxyl has such a long half-life, a few hours difference in when you take your meds will not matter. It takes a week for it to build up, so today's dose won't effect your body for another week.

Both ways you described above are ok.

[MKlacza]

My Dr told me to take my pill in the morning. He said to set the alarm and just take it and to wait a few hours before eating. He said it works best before food intake! :)