When do you take your medication?

[julianne07]

Just curious when everyone takes their thyroid medications. Morning, night, split-day/night?

My doctor told me to take them before I go to bed, because the thyroid works better at night.

Thanks for any response!

:):):)

[Justaprettyface]

I  have been taking Levothyroxin 6am every morning  with a full glass of water for 4 days now.  I eat breakfast about 730.  Then take my birth control and zoloft after I eat. Feel  sick to my  stomache all day. Think it can be that levothyroxin is taking on empty stomache and its my first time on it.

[hazelhurst]

Responding to your questions: I had a TT in July 06.  My parathyroids quit working for some time (1 was damaged, they told me).  I was on calcitriol for about a year, after which I gradually lowered the amount I was taking until I stopped taking it altogether.  I also decreased the amount of calcium.  My parathyroids kicked back in and are now functioning at normal levels, though I still take about 2,000 units of calcium a day (4 pills).  My doctor says my parathyroids are fully "recovered."  I am about to explore if I need the extra calcium, or if I can decrease that as well.  Good luck to you!

[Marpo1]

I take mine before bed.  I am bad at taking pills for one thing, but I have a nightly  routine
I do every night for my eyes.  So the pills work right in.  I also eat a different times every morning so I would not be able to take the pills at the same time like I do at night.

I think what ever works for you is the best bet.  We are all different and taking different dose's and different meds.

[Smilerdeb]

My thyroid always 'sparked up' at night , especially around the early hours and that is when I had thyroid storm too and I was told by 2 Endo's that if the thyroid has function that it is more active early hours of the morning when it 'dumps'.
But as I have no function now, I sleep pretty well and dont feel any effects other than from the thyroxin as that controls my levels now and not the thyroid.

[Dnarose]

I just wanted to add that the thyroid produces less hormone at night, so I don't think your doctor is correct about the thyroid working better at night.  TSH is at its highest point while we sleep because our metabolism slows down during the sleeping process.

[Dnarose]

Because I take Armour and it contains T3, I split the dose taking half in the morning and half around 3PM.  I have tried taking it all at once and didn't notice any difference, except that it elevated my free t4 levels for some odd reason. I went back to taking it twice a day and have perfect midrange free t4 levels and high in range free t3 levels.

For those on T4, taking it at night sometimes works better because there's no worry about not taking it on an empty stomach.

[Smilerdeb]

If you still have some thyroid function (you havent stated in your posting)...it is a well known fact that the thyroid 'fires up' around 2-3am every morning and that is why Hyper feelings are felt when you wake.
If you are talking about ATDS, then space them out 3 times a day so you dont get Hyper 'spikes...other than that, if you have low thyroid production , you may find that by taking Thyroxin late at night that it makes you 'full of energy' when you are ready to go to sleep.
Just thought I would post 'both sides of the fence'.

[Thypatient]

Thank you.  This is a helpful question, with helpful responses.

I take my meds, as was recommended to me after a TT; removal of one parathyroid gland because of a tumor; and tetany issues post-surgery:

Take the med first thing in the morning with a full glass of water; wait 2 hrs before eating or drinking anything; and wait at least 4 hrs before taking any supplements.

[Smilerdeb]

I take my thyroxin in the morning (around 7am) and I have no thyroid function as I had Radioactive Iodine in June 2008 then a keyhole Thyroidectomy in September 2008, due to Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism.
I did try yesterday in taking 50mcg thyroxin in the morning and 25mcg in the afternoon but felt no different so back to morning doses.
The reason I tried was by the afternoon, I am tired.
I did find though that I did have a bit more energy and am going to ask my Doc what he thinks when I see him Thursday.

[stella5349]

I am on Armour so I take my meds a little different. I  split my dosages throughout the day.

Start at 7 then 11 then 1 then 3 - It keeps me at an even keel all day in small dosages. I also take my meds sublingual so I can eat or drink most anything at anytime and not worry about it.

[azqtpies]

same here I was told in the mornings 1 hr before food and no vitamins for 2 hrs after.

[mornings1stlight]

I was told also to take my thyroid medication first thing every morning.  I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism caused by hashimoto's disease back in 1995.  It was reccommended I take my meds that way because some foods may interfere with the absorption of the meds.

[Barb135]

I was told to take my thyroid med first thing in the morning and to not eat or drink anything for at least 30 min to an hour after.  I get up at 3:30 am so that's when I take thryoid med and by the time I get showered, etc, at least 30 min has passed so can have coffee then 1/2 hr later I eat breakfast (usually boiled egg, yogurt, etc).  I have osteopenia, so take calcium in the evening (at least 4 hr spread from thyroid med).  

Still have thyroid, and wondering why things don't get better.  

[Sonflower]

My thyroid was removed too. And I also have to take calcium supplements several times per day. So I to take mine before 6am.

How long ago did you have your Thyroidectomy? Where your Parathryoid Glands damaged, causing a calcium problem? Do you take Calcitrol also to help with calcium absorbtion?

I had a tumor on one of my four Parathryoid Glands and also had a partical Parathryoidectomy....

Sonflower

[hazelhurst]

Because I have to take calcium supplements several times a day, I take my thyroid meds at 6 a.m. every morning.  (But my thyroid was removed, so it's not a question of my thyroid working better or not!)