Hypothyroidism Support Group

Here is a copy of the article:

Every thyroid patient has heard the advice that for best results, we should take our medication first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and wait at least 30 minutes

The small pilot study was prompted by observation that some patients had improved thyroid hormone profiles improved after they switched from taking their levothyroxine in the morning, to bedtime.
The purpose was to look at the impact on thyroid hormone profiles by changing the time levothyroxine was taken from early morning to bedtime. They also evaluated the impact of this change on the circadian rhythm of TSH and thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone metabolism.

The study, while small (12 subjects), was fairly conclusive in its findings, which the researchers said were “striking” and which have “important consequences for the millions of patients who take l-thyroxine daily.”

Researchers reported that taking medication at bedtime, rather than the morning, results in “higher thyroid hormone concentrations and lower TSH concentrations.”

TSH decreased and Free T4 levels rose in all patients by changing thyroxine ingestion from early morning to bedtime and T3 levels rose in all but one subject.
And TSH decreased irrespective of the starting TSH levels, suggesting better absorption of the thyroid medication when taken in the evening.

The researchers suggested several explanations for the results:

Even when waiting at least 30 minutes to eat, breakfast may be interfering with the intestinal absorption of levothyroxine thyroxine.

“Bowel motility is slower at night,” which means that it takes longer for the levothyroxine tablet to transit through the intestinal system, resulting in longer exposure to the intestinal wall, and therefore, better uptake of the medication.

The conversion process of T4 to T3 may be more effective in the evening.

Taking medication at bedtime instead of in the morning could have major implications for many thyroid patients.

First, it’s easier, as you don’t have to worry about when to eat breakfast.

Second, it’s easier to avoid medications, supplements and foods, like calcium, iron, and high-fiber foods that can interfere with thyroid medication absorption.

Third, it might offer some improvement in symptoms to people who are just not getting optimal absorption by taking thyroid medication during the day.
___________________________________
I wanted to give post this article because I want to share that I've made the change and because of the change I have ENDLESS ENERGY.

I previously took it at 5 a.m. and got up at 5:30 a.m. and felt like crap all day and since I was first diagnosed.

Now I take it before bedtime and feel lotsa energy within 15-30 minutes after getting up.

I feel so much better now.

No longer energy lost :>D

Will you make the change?
Posted on 10/28/09, 10:10 pm