levothyroxine and coffee?

[k2p2k2tog]

Have been on levothyroxine for about 6 months, started on 50 mcg and now up to 75 mcg. The GP told me to take it at whichever time of day suited me, and did not mention waiting to eat or drink, so I started taking it first thing in the morning and then making myself a cup of coffee almost striaght away.

Have done a bit of reading and there are a lot of people saying you should leave at least an hour between taking your meds and eating/drinking anything except water. I really need my coffee in the morning so am thinking about taking my meds at bedtime instead.

When is everyone else taking theirs?

I don't take mine in the morning as there's no way I could wait a while before breakfast ... I take mine as I go to bed at night. That's generally 3 hours after my evening meal, and I make a point of stopping any snacks 1 hour before. I've never found the Levo stops me sleeping.

I am 200mg.

I never take mine in the morning - didn't know you were meant to and I drink a lot of coffee.

Been on it 10 years and pretty much take it first thing, washed down with a can of red bull . I’ve been stable and on same dose for 9.5 years.

I’m on 200mcg, been taking thyroxine for nearly 10 years & always with my morning coffee, with no problems. As pp have said we have to take this stuff forever, do do it in a way that works for you. If the coffee is affecting absorption then it is doing it uniformly- my levels are stable & my dose works for me.

Taken it since 1990. At bedtime. 100mcg. Absolutely fine. A new gp about 2.t years ago told me it was to be taken first thing and no coffee or food for at least 30 mins. I nodded and smiled. Been absolutely fine for nearly 30 years doing it my way.

I leave the house at 7.30. I get up at 6.30 and kick start myself with yoghurt and hot coffee. I then do dishwasher, washing machine, shower, hair, dress, go. I woukd love to have 30 minutes to fart about.

Apart of course from the fact that i have to take adcal D3 twice a day (big dose - due to osteoporosis, probs contributed to by gp who told me i was stressed due to lifestyle for five years and not diagnosing graves). Have to have four hours between levo and adcal for former to be absorbed.

Adcal at 6.30 and 16.30, often eat at 9pm, levo at about 11pm. Works for me and that's what matters. Have also read the research that for many patients bed time doses are best.

Well this is news to me. Been taking it 20 years now at night with food as I have a stash of pills to take and I can’t swallow tablets with water

No one has ever mentioned taking it on an empty stomach

Glad i came across this as it turns out I haven’t being taking mine right, usually take meds and then have a coffee too. Will be altering that ASAP, thanks everyone x

Technically you should do this but the key thing is consistency.

If you've been well and stable without, and then change the routine you might absorb more thyroxine which might push you into numbers the gp isn't keen on and do they could try to lower your dose. Just something to be aware of.

Obviously if your tsh is day 1.5, changing to this routine might be beneficial and push you a little lower but not out of range.