I'm a little late, but I think it's important to remember that we are all on different doses and this can effect if the fluctuations bother you. I had a TT and take a really large dose, so for me I definitely feel more side effects if I take my pill later than usual. Keeping a routine was a breakthrough for me because I used to experience a lot of side effects. Some days I mess up, but generally I feel better getting up (or just keeping it by my bedside and waking up for a minute to take it).
I've been on levothyroxine for a couple months now and I can relate to what you're saying, you feel energy declines frequently and it is more than likely due to an improper dose of your thyroid meds in return making you hypothyroid; or it could be that we have hyper-metabolism; meaning we metabolize the meds more quickly than others and this causes a hypothyroid reaction as well. I am going through this process myself but I've had a strange TSH reading of 0.02 for a few years now and the levothyroxine isnt helping in any way and my doctors dont seem concerned enough about it unfortunately. I also hear there is an extended release dose, does anyone know more about that? I have noticed when I dont take the meds within a 12 hour period I am lethargic, tired, and slow to think clearly. Also get sore joints swelling in my lips and tingly left cheek of my face and sometimes entire limbs of my body. It super *****!
As I said, I was quoting from an article I had read, and while I can agree with the author (a doctor, BTW) in concept, I also added "Not something I'd want to try, personally...".
I think you're making this a lot more precise than it has to be. Would I take my meds at vastly different times of day? No. However, I think "first thing in the morning" can be interpreted as "when you wake up", and the exact hour, due to the long half life of T4, is relatively unimportant. An hour or two here or there is not going to change anything.
It's been accepted practice for years to achieve incremental increases in meds by taking an extra pill or half or quarter once a week or twice a week. In the end, how you take your meds isn't important as long as you feel well doing it the way you're doing it.
I have been taking thyroid meds for several years. When I was told to take my pill the same time every day my symptoms declined and I felt much better. It is not that difficult. If I do not get up at the time I am suppose to take my thyroid pill my husband comes to my bed and gives me my thyroid pill and I go back to sleep. I think it would be very dangerous to take several pills in one day.
I wasn't suggesting anyone take their T4 on a once a week basis. I'm very sensitive, too, and it sounds like my idea of he//. I was just using it to illustrate a point.
Oh BTW, I meant to say, DO NOT EVER take a 7 day dose of T3 in one hit, you WILL end up in ER! Only T4 is suited to this one off dosage.
It should be within a normal range for you. For example, you normally wake at 7am to go to work and take it then, then you go on holiday and sleep in till 10am, no biggie, just take it when you wake up.
It is best to take it regularly at a set time but as long as it is not say, 7am one day then 1pm the next day then 11am the next etc. The hormone is generally best absorbed in the morning so your body can go about its business. Chopping and changing it all over the place is not ideal as we need it to be a regular dosing to try to regulate our bodies.
A few hours off here or there is no big issue though. If you are like me, and have no set regular getting up time, just as soon as you wake up is fine.
As goolarra says you could take it a weeks worth in one hit but not advisable. You will then get a spike and feel a bit 'funny' and if you are super sensitive like me, then it's 'funny farm feeling'!
So take it when you can but not all over the place in times.
Cheers!
No, it's not necessary to take it at the same time every day. Whatever works for you is acceptable.
T4 you definitely do not have to take at exactly the same time every day. In fact, I read an article a while back that said that most people could probably take T4 meds once a week (at 7 times the daily dose) due to the long half-life of T4. Not something I'd want to try, personally, but I can accept the concept in theory.
If you feel good taking it the way you're taking it, I wouldn't give it a second thought...