When do you take your med?

[hashi53]

I receive author Mary Shomon's newletters all about thyroid issues and the most recent one discusses when the best time to take our meds is. I take mine in the morning with water and wait an hour before having anything else to eat or drink. This research suggests it might be better to take the med at night before going to bed. When do you take yours?

[LazyMoose]

It seems odd that you are so sure that the best time to take natural dessicated thyroid is at night, yet you posted this recently:

katydid2807

Dec 07, 2011
[ "I am so spaced out and loopy ........... THAT's how bad my mind is right now. :( " ]

That's not very convincing that your thyroid treatment is currently optimal.

It is known that T4 only users can have success taking that before bed. And there has been recent studies on T4 before sleep. Cant seem to find any documented studies on T3 before sleep, I would like to review some if they exist. I have read that T3 is used in the cells to some extent, as needed- I think that was in Wilsons book. I have, however, never seen printed documentation of studies on this or having T3 levels naturally higher at nighttime. But taking T3 is not the same delivery as compared to how our bodies (the lucky ones) convert it from T4.

Having used three types of thyroid meds and several brands of each I am always open to options of thyroid treatment for Hoshimoto's. What I do know is many people on thyroid forums report sleep disturbances if Cytomel or dessicated med is taken too late in the day. Yes this is a well known fact. I have tried it late in the day, guess what? I could not sleep later on either. That is what happens to the majority of people that take T3 to close to sleep time. Apparently that is not your case. Glad that approach work for you.

And most (you not included) feel a higher level of alertness and energy after ingesting synthetic or natural T3. Once again, this is why competitive body builders have used T3 without a prescription, prior to lifting in order to achieve temporary increase in strength - some will do anything to 'cheat'.

I take dessicated 3X a day, last dose no later than 5PM ,and sleep great. I also have a repeated routine in the morning after my first dose of dessicated thyroid, so I will have consistent absorption. I like to keep evening plans flexible and not planned around thyroid med. . I get a lot of exercise, the down side of that is I'm always hungry and I need to snack a little before bed - to avoid waking up hungry in the middle of the night.

If I was only on T4 and didn't eat late, I'd try it before bed. But for the majority of people, ingesting T3 before bed will keep them awake. It just unfortunately does that..

: )

[Totie]

For the last 18yrs. I take my T4 at 5am without fail.

I don't ever eat or drink anything until I get into the office at 8am.

[katydid2807]

Actually, thyroid hormones are higher while we sleep than at any other part of the day, which is when the body is using T3 to repair itself...esp adrenal repair and getting cortisol production ready for the next day. So by taking the hormone at night, you're working with your body's natural desire to produce more at night.

[LazyMoose]

Testosterone can go up with an increase in thyroid levels. So keep both monitored, dont want to much.

As far as when to take meds, I'm sure your fully confused by now. LOL.

All I can say is I was a walking zombie from T4 meds only, and I aparently need active T3 thoughout the day, why it works for me taking NTH several times a day. My adrenal morning cortisol is right where it sould be now too. Your body normally uses T3 during periods of stress and physical activity during wakeing hours. That is why muscle builders illegally use T3. T3 goes away after 4-5 hours. Not everyone that takes NTH needs the T3 in it.

[Danniabg]

Thanks LazyMoose,
I didn't know what it was, but now I do :)
Ok will give it a go soon
Nikki

[katydid2807]

My dose is 3.25 grains.

When I took it at different times during the day, THAT's when I had awful "peaks and valleys". Now that I take it either before bed or at 4am, my days are more even keeled, my sleep is better, and I actually wake up refreshed.

However, this may also have a lot to do with adrenals. If you have low cortisol in the daytime, the cortisol you do have will go to work helping thyroid hormones into the cells, and there will be little left for the rest of the day. My cortisol was highest at night, so I'm working with it, and it seems to be just what I need.