What no iron and no calcium food do you eat for breakfast?

[mercat46]

I have just been put on levothyroxin (50 mcg) for hypothyroidism. The instructions say to take levo an hour before breakfast, but FOUR hours before having any iron or calcium. All the usual breakfast foods have iron and/or calcium in them, even fruit! So what can I eat for breakfast? What foods have no iron and no calcium? I've also read I should avoid soy and walnuts. Help!

[seaweed88]

As you stated, the manufacturer of Synthroid says "Do not take Synthroid within 4 hours of ingesting medications, supplements, or **FOODS** that may interact with Synthroid."   (emphasis added)  So this is not just about supplements.


My FT4  got out of whack after I started eating tahini in the mornings.  So my endocrinologist told me specifically to stop putting tahini (sesame seed paste) on my bagels because it contains too much calcium.  She told me to wait 4 hours after my synthroid if I wanted to eat it.  She said to avoid foods high in iron for 4 hours as well.  

[Barb135]

Your pharmacist is incorrect!!  

This is from Mayo Clinic:  "It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take it with a full glass of water at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating breakfast."

Also:  "This medicine should be taken at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after these medicines: antacids (Maalox®, Mylanta®, Tums®), calcium supplements, cholestyramine (Prevalite®, Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), iron supplements, orlistat (Alli®, Xenical®), simethicone (Gas-X®, Mylicon®), and sucralfate (Carafate®)."


This from Synthroid: "Take Synthroid alone. Do not take Synthroid within 4 hours of ingesting medications, supplements, or foods that may interact with Synthroid. Antacids, iron, and calcium supplements, dietary fiber, soy, and even walnuts can affect your body's absorption of Synthroid. Talk to your doctor to learn more."

Note that both sites clearly say to avoid antacids, iron and calcium "supplements" for 4 hours.  There's not enough iron OR calcium in most foods to warrant not eating them, because of thyroid med.

[Mirandazzi1]

You are dead wrong.

It's scary to think that you think there's a difference between eating a supplement and eating food with calcium in it.  IT IS THE EXACT SAME THING. You need a new doctor.
I've been to Endo's all of my life as I have congenital hypothyroidism. I was put in the hospital for a week, out of work for 2 more, and almost died because of this very issue we're talking about.
You CAN NOT eat any food, take any supplement...you can NOT ingest any sort of calcium or iron within 4 hours of taking levothyroxine....synthroid...any thyroid medicine. ANY calcium will block absorption. Omg....

[witchywomen]

I talk to pharmacist yesterday and it means no foods or supplements for  four hours after taking levothyroxine.

[dreamgirl81]

First off, a person shouldn't go trying to adjust their own meds on their own, especially since you don't know just what it should be adjusted to. And as both Barb and goolarra said, it take about 6 weeks for the levels to adjust.  Each person is different on how they handle the meds and food. Personally, since it has been hard to get my levels straightened, I have to be careful what i eat, and it isn't easy. Beadheadblonde, it isn't that we can't have it.. it is a matter of being told we can't have it for 4 hrs, because it will bind with the medication, and the body won't absorb enough, throwing the levels off

[carolmack1]

My doctor is out of touch. I've changed doctors 3 times in the last 2 years. Kaiser Permanente is what I have. Not for long!  I cant get a response with a simple question, which is why I am here researching on my own.

[goolarra]

I agree, let's not overcomplicate this.  I don't think there's any possible way that you can adjust meds on a daily basis to compensate for the food you eat and how it might affect absorption.

FT4 levels build slowly (and decrease slowly as well), so minute differences in what you absorb are easily going to be compensated for.  It takes weeks for a legitimate dosage adjustment to affect levels enough to cause symptoms or symptom relief.  

If you have a demonstrated absorption issue, i.e. meds just aren't getting into your blood stream, by all means check your habits.  Otherwise, just wait half to one hour before eating or drinking and take any supplements 3-4 hours away as stated on the bottle.  

[Barb135]

Adjusting T4 dose on a daily basis to accommodate your breakfast is a lesson in futility, since it takes approximately 4-6 weeks for an adjustment to take effect.  

Just take your med and eat what you're going to and don't take supplements w/in 4 hrs... it really is that simple.