Water & Synthroid

[pw0720]

My question is, "Do you HAVE to take your synthroid with WATER?" I HATE water, it makes my stomach feel so empty and gives me awful cotton mouth. I ususally sleep very late(noon) so I wake up at 9am and take my medicine then return to sleeping. So waking up early is bad enough and then to have to drink a glass of water on top of that is very difficult. Can I take it with Tea or flavored water, like Gatorade, Vitamin water or something of that nature? Thanks for your help! Porsche

[borninquisitive]

I would only like to add, that the recommendation for drinking a full glass of water is advised with certain medications- as it is ideal that the medication reaches your stomach, as apposed to being dissolved in your esophagus and causing irritation.If any medication states, "Drink a full glass of water"-I would do just that.

[GravesLady]

Water does not interfere with synthroid absorption where other liquid might and juices definitely.  You don't have to drink a full glass of water, a few swallows or just enough to get it down, that's all I do. The full glass is to prevent the little pill from getting stuck in the throat and chocking.

Another way to take it is to let it absorb under your tongue.

No Tea or flavored water, like Gatorade, Vitamin water, juices, etc.

[Scottie2319ws]

The sublingual route is an awesome idea! I actually considered using the pill as a suppository. I hope no one take offense! I know it's probably not ever considered by anyone and somewhat gross. However I also have a very hard time drinking water and that's why I drink anything other than caffeine. Anyway, I just wanted to post my comment as I thought some may find it somewhat humorous but to say thank you for your input!

[Scottie2319ws]

The sublingual route is an awesome idea! I actually considered using the pill as a suppository. I hope no one take offense! I know it's probably not ever considered by anyone and somewhat gross. However I also have a very hard time drinking water and that's why I drink anything other than caffeine. Anyway, I just wanted to post my comment as I thought some may find it somewhat humorous but to say thank you for your input!

[Scottie2319ws]

Oops! I meant to say that why I drink anything other than water to take the pill and no caffeine with it. Thanks again!

[Barb135]

Caffeine is not the only thing that interferes with the absorption of thyroid medication.  It should not be taken with juices or flavored waters, milk or other drinks.  The instructions that come with the medication say to take it with water because it's the only thing that doesn't risk interfering with absorption.  As was noted when the thread was first posted back in 2007, you don't really have to drink a full glass; a couple of swallows to get the pill down is sufficient.  The idea of drinking more water is to help the pill dissolve more quickly and absorb better/faster than it otherwise would.  You run the risk of "losing" more of the pill via the gut by not taking it as instructed.

I have heard of some people taking thyroid medications sublingually; however, none of the T4 meds I've had are made to be taken that way.  Some of them could be chewed and swallowed quickly, but others have a very bad taste.  The T3 medication I'm currently taking is suitable for chewing, but I've had some from other manufacturers that was so horrible I wasn't able to do that.  I did dissolve some of them in water and take it that way, which is another option, but one still needs a swallow or two of water to help wash it down...