Hypothyroidism and gastric bypass surgery

[Jnfinney 513]

I saw on the paperwork I received for the Vitamins that I will be taking post op, I will be taking calcium citrate 3 or 4 times a day. I am also on levothyroxine which I take on an empty stomach 2 hours before I eat or drink anything other than Water in the morning. I thought I had heard one time that Calcium interferes with the way levothyroxine is absorbed. Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences on this? How the heck am I going to take my levothyroxine without the calcium interfering? I do plan on asking my surgeon about this, but I don’t see him for another 4 weeks 😊

[Elizabeth Smith 3]

Hi, I have been dealing with hypothyroidism most of my life. I had the bypass done in December 2020. I was 98kilos and now 69. I also have been back to hospital due to gore bladder removal and malnutrition. I am losing weight to fast to quick. I feel sick all the time and find it hard to eat food. I have not started doing exercise, I know I should. I go back to surgeon tomorrow so have a lot of questions. You are doing well, are you on to full solids yet?

[TreeTrunks 108]

11 hours ago, Jnfinney said:

I saw on the paperwork I received for the Vitamins that I will be taking post op, I will be taking calcium citrate 3 or 4 times a day. I am also on levothyroxine which I take on an empty stomach 2 hours before I eat or drink anything other than Water in the morning. I thought I had heard one time that Calcium interferes with the way levothyroxine is absorbed. Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences on this? How the heck am I going to take my levothyroxine without the Calcium interfering? I do plan on asking my surgeon about this, but I don’t see him for another 4 weeks 😊

Yes! I have also wondered about this! I am only allowed Water for an hour after after I take my synthroid and I don't take any type of Vitamin until several hours later, as well, usually in the evening to avoid interference.

I am going to my last appointment today before my preop diet starts and I will ask and get back to everyone either this evening or tomorrow morning on what I find out.

[Castrad01 8]

@Elizabeth Smith, hello I am currently on stage 4 diet mainly all Proteins. I advance to full solids in 2 weeks. Wow thats a lot of weight loss in 2 months, why are you malnutrition. Are you getting in your daily Protein and Water intake?

[Castrad01 8]

@TreeTrunks, I also take levothyroxine what I do is take it first thing in the morning between 5am and 6am. Then you can take your other pills like multi Vitamin, omerprozale, and Calcium 4 hours after your thyroid meds. I usually have Protein between 30 minutes to an hour after taking my thyroid meds. Why do you wait so long to eat after yours?

[KelBel3040 14]

12 hours ago, Jnfinney said:

I saw on the paperwork I received for the Vitamins that I will be taking post op, I will be taking calcium citrate 3 or 4 times a day. I am also on levothyroxine which I take on an empty stomach 2 hours before I eat or drink anything other than Water in the morning. I thought I had heard one time that Calcium interferes with the way levothyroxine is absorbed. Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences on this? How the heck am I going to take my levothyroxine without the Calcium interfering? I do plan on asking my surgeon about this, but I don’t see him for another 4 weeks 😊

I have the same question actually I heard calcium and Iron are both blockers. So I need to ask on my first appointment back in a couple weeks. I'll let you know what my physician says since my appointment is on the 15th.

[TreeTrunks 108]

Hi @Castrad01 - I wait an hour typically because I used to have a morning coffee and unfortunately just sips will cause interference with synthroid effectiveness. I am no longer drinking coffee (to ward off the side effects before surgery), but I have also have heard that you have to wait at least an hour before eating as well.

With waiting the 4 hours after taking your thyroid meds - you have enough time to get all your vitamins/supplements in during the day?

[Castrad01 8]

@TreeTrunksyes, that's why I take my thyroid medicine so early in the morning so by 10-10:30am I can take my next supplement. My doctors told me I can eat anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after levothyroxine, so we take them similar. They recommend 4 hours after thyroid meds so there is no potential for absorption interference, then 1 hour in between next supplement. Do you see an endocrinologist?

[TreeTrunks 108]

@Castrad01 Oh...gotcha! I've been trying to work it all out and stressing about how I am going to get all of the supplements in with the 4 hours I have to give myself before taking them...

Initially, yes. I worked directly with him until my levels stabilized and then worked with my primary care doc for testing 2x a year. However, when first diagnosed eons ago, I was seeing the endo pretty regularly. I imagine I may need to go back again if my levels decide to go whacko after surgery. Did your numbers stay the same or have you had to adjust after surgery?

Edited February 3, 2021 by TreeTrunks
clarity

[Castrad01 8]

@TreeTrunks I get my labs drawn every 4 months to check my levels, my labs are due in 2 weeks. I will let you know if there is a major change in them.

[Rusnj1 1]

Hi, I have hypothyroid too. I got gastric bypass done in 23 rd Dec 2020 and in 6 weeks have lost only 13lbs. Is there anyone else who has lost such less amount of weight. It’s really bugging me.

[Castrad01 8]

@rusnj1 I had my bypass on 12/24/20, currently down 23 lbs since surgery. Yes I was feeling the same way, but when I spoke with both my nutritionist and my dietitian they stated that was good weight loss. I mostly definitely get were your coming from especially when some people that I have seen lose 15 lbs a week, it can be discouraging but try to stay positive.

[TreeTrunks 108]

Hi Everyone... So, I had my last informational appointment yesterday and asked about the thyroid meds. Unfortunately the nurses presenting the course were not even aware of the 4 hour window, which I think is pretty common. There simply is not enough education out there about thyroid conditions. Anyway, the appointment was a shared appointment and there were a few other patients there. One of them also takes thyroid meds and she said that she takes hers in the evening instead of the morning. Making sure it is 1 hour after eating and outside the 4 hour window for taking supplements, so typically right before bed. It might be an option??

[Elizabeth Smith 3]

Hi, I am not sure what you mean by the 4 hour window. The nurses give me my thyroid meds with my Vitamin, is that not suppose to happen? When I go home I might start taking mine of a night, what is the preferred time to take after food please?

[Amanda Oh 23]

I am Hashimoto’s hypothyroid and I had the sleeve in August of 2018. I went from 346 to 172 lbs currently. I follow proper nutrition and exercise and have had great results. It was slow at times but it all came off. As far as the meds go, you can’t take Calcium or Iron within 4 hours of your thyroid meds so you have to start early. I take my NP Thyroid at 5AM and then start supplements at 9AM. Lots of timers set on my phone but I’ve not had any Vitamin deficiencies and my thyroid levels have been balanced other than dosing changes for weight changes. Hope this helps!