Timing of taking meds

[TrudieC]

I take my thyroid replacement hormones first thing in the morning.  I am having problems where I am not feeling that my symptoms are still present and my tests are off.  I just read on the health pages that drinking coffee very close to the time of taking meds can cause problems with absorption.  I have been taking them about 10 minutes apart so very well may be my problem.  Does anyone take their meds at night?  If I do will it affect my sleep?

Thanks, Trudie

[stella5349]

drjvaughan (at) healthchannelonline (dot) com

www (dot) healthchannelonline (dot) com,

What I see so far - you have more choices than I did in Wisconsin.

Good Luck and Better Health

[stella5349]

Help is there Trudy but it's up to you

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=13&gps=8_1466_1020_592&f=00&su=p284.9.336.ip_p726.4.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/canada.htm

[TrudieC]

Can't do that in this area of Canada.  We don't have enough doctors and about 1/4 of the people don't have a family GP.  You can't be choosey since you can't get into anyone else.  

[stella5349]

Most of them are very closed minded - it's too sad.

If you look up Thyroid Disease Top Thyroid Directory or Doctors you may find a doc in your area that falls into using a T3/T4 med.

[TrudieC]

I have asked my doctor to put me on Armour or some other natural product so I can get both the T3 and T4 benefit but he refuses.  I think I might have to go to a Naturopath to get this.  I have a friend who took it and was finally able to lose her thyroid weight.

[stella5349]

Most endo do not advise taking T4 meds at night - Although it may help some - mostly insominia can happen and many hypo already have that - so why make it worse.

I went to Armour and divide the meds throughout the day and I take it under the tongue and let it dissolve. This way I still can eat or drink anytime/anything I want and it doesn't effect the stomach absorption with the med.

[TrudieC]

Thanks!  Is it OK to take a mild anti-depressant (migraines) and benadryl (until I read here about the hives some get I didn't realize that the awful itch I get by end of the day when my regular allergy meds where off could be related to my thyroid - no benadryl means no sleep) at same time before bed?  

[KelDC]

If I don't eat shortly after I wake up, I am sick to my stomach.  So, I take my thyroid med at night.  I have been doing this since April, and I have no noticed any problems with my sleep.  I just make sure not to eat several hours before bedtime, so my stomach is as empty as possible.  My endo said this was fine, though I know all doctors are different!

[painter64]

It depends on who you talk to. I asked my endo.  if actually taking it with my coffee was wrong and he says no thats fine.[ But then again I am seeing a new endo.}

[ontheedge050]

There was a post just the other day on that very subject. Look back to couple of days you can read it. Seems a VERY SMALL study was done and coffee seems to affects the absorbtion.
I was thinking of trying to take mine in the early am cause I always have to get up and go to the bathroom anyway. Then by the time I get up and have my coffee it will be done doing it's thing. Only problem is it ALWAYS feels like it's stuck in my throat and I might not be able to go back to sleep.

[Me967]

I've been told by many that it is best to take your thyroid med's an hour before you have your coffee.  I take my pill and go back to sleep for an hour or so.  That way I can wake up and still smell the coffee.  LOL.  It's the first thing I grab for.  I hate to wait so this method works best for me.  
It might be worth a try for you.  I also found my stomach was upset when I tried to mix them along with some other symptoms at the time.  Take care.......Amy