Thyroid Medication and Malabsorption

[ShellMilliner 233]

Hi all!

So to start with I've ALWAYS had a tough to manage thyroid medication dose. Although I did have a couple years here and there where my dose would remain unchanged and even lowered on occasion. Since my surgery last year my dosage has required increasing every few months. We switched from Sythroid to Levoxyl and that hasn't made a difference. My last switch was in November to 200 mg Levoxyl with normal in limits blood work in February. I just had blood work last week and my thyroid function is completely out of range again. My TSH is 6.96 with a normal range of 0.40-4.50 while my T4 Free is in range. I have an appointment with my endo tomorrow morning but I was wondering if anyone else had this issue. All of my other labs from both the bariatric doc and my endo are nearly perfect my triglycerides are a smidge high and my D3 is in the low normal range.

I always take my med before bed and the only other medication I take in the evening (within 2 hours) is Singulair and Biotin neither of which I've seen cause absorption issues. My Calcium is in the morning and my Iron mid-day.

Eventually, I am going to max out on the dosage and I'm not sure what that next step is. Has anyone else gone through this?

Thanks for reading!

Best,

Michelle

[Renkoss 420]

From what I can tell you, I began taking my thyroid meds in the evening before bed too. They did not work well for me. I now take my meds early morning. I have them set up next to my bed with a small cup of Water. When my husband gets up at 6AM, I reach over and take my thyroid meds. I only do it like this because you are supposed to take the thyroid meds at least 30 minutes to 60 minutes before drinking coffee. When I get up at just before 8AM, I want my coffee right away. But, I have read that you should take thyroid medication in the morning.

[ShellMilliner 233]

From what I can tell you, I began taking my thyroid meds in the evening before bed too. They did not work well for me. I now take my meds early morning. I have them set up next to my bed with a small cup of Water. When my husband gets up at 6AM, I reach over and take my thyroid meds. I only do it like this because you are supposed to take the thyroid meds at least 30 minutes to 60 minutes before drinking coffee. When I get up at just before 8AM, I want my coffee right away. But, I have read that you should take thyroid medication in the morning.

I've been told to take it on an empty stomach and no eating for 30 minutes up to 2 hours after. I could swap things up and readjust when I take the Iron and Calcium (none of the 3 can be taken within 4 hours of each other).

I wonder what the difference is taking in the morning vice bedtime.

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[Renkoss 420]

I don't know, but I do know it began working better for me when I switched to taking in the morning.

[Ele marie 92]

My dose has been the same for the 4 years I been on it. I do not know yet if surgery has changed it. I do have a nodule that they watch.

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[Mzdiggs 169]

I have always taken mine in the morning when I rise at 5:15. I am four months post op. My endo did tell me that he will be adjusting them as I loss weight. Today's no change but just had new blood work on Tuesday and will see next week if there is any change.

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[SIPSGrammy 27]

I was on Levothyroxine and took it in the morning. I had issues after surgery with the T4 only med Doc put me on Armour, and My levels are fine, however my "Free T4" is low due to malabsorption.