The Proper Way to Take Thyroid Medications

1. Always take on an empty stomach. At least 4 hoursdiscuss with your physician a change in your dose of
after your last food and 1 hour before you eat anythyroid prescription.
additional food.8. Take your antidepressant separately from your
2. Always take your thyroid drug with no otherthyroid prescription. Taking them together may
medications.accelerate the effects of both medications.
3. Wait at least 2 hours after you take your thyroid9. Cholesterol lowering medications should be taken at
prescription to take anything with high iron contentleast 4 hours after your medication.
(chicken or beef liver, sardines, spinach, or even aYou are not alone.
multivitamin and mineral supplement).Let me tell you my own story. I was very sluggish. My
4. Avoid eating large quantities of food that are knownhair was thinning. I felt like my mind was in a thick fog. I
to act like anti-thyroid prescriptions. These foodscould look at food and gain weight. When my TSH
include: Brussels sprouts, millet, cassava, cauliflower,was first checked it was 84. I was put on Synthroid.
turnips, and rutabagas.My TSH shot down to less than 0.03 and stayed that
5. Take antacids (like TUMS) at least 2 hours afterway for over six months. My thyroid was finally
your thyroid prescription. Antacids may slow or diminishradiated into submission. Thru the years my TSH
the absorption of your prescription.never stayed stable. My symptoms have not subsided.
6. Eat calcium-rich foods at least 2 hours after yourI have followed the above steps for taking my
thyroid prescription. Calcium-rich foods include: milk,medication properly and have since I first started taking
fortified juices, yogurts, and cheeses.it. So it is not a matter of non-compliance or improperly
7. Be aware that if you start taking a birth control pill ortaking my medication.
other hormone replacement therapy, you may need to