Hypothyroidism

Lesson 5: Treatment Options

Tips, tricks and hints for taking thyroid medications

In the previous two sections, we have discussed a variety of different medications that you may take if you do indeed have hypothyroidism. I hope that you have a basic familiarity of each now. Of course, once you pick up the prescription, you need to take it. We will attempt to answer the following questions in this section:

• Are there certain tips and tricks that will make your thyroid medication more effective?
• Should your medication be refrigerated?
• Would it help to take your medication at the same time each day? On a full or empty stomach?
• Will fiber help you absorb your thyroid medication better?

Taking your thyroid medications is very important to your health. Your symptoms will not subside if you skip doses regularly and/or you decide to stop taking your medication altogether. (I made that mistake once and gained 50 lbs, got a goiter and very sick all in a period of months!)

An occasional missed dose is not the end of the world, however. Experts recommend that you just take your medication the next time you are due. Doubling up on doses is not encouraged as it could lead to more problems, including an overdose.

Before you even bring your medication home, you should check to see that it is the right one. Sometimes, pharmacies will switch out a brand name drug with a generic one. If your doctor writes no substitutions on the prescription slip, then this shouldn’t be an issue, but being cautious can make a difference.

Generics may not have the same quality and consistency as the brand names do. They aren’t subject to the same rules and regulations. The best way to be assured of this is to stick with a brand name and, when you find a brand that works for you, to stay with it, at least until symptoms or situations changes.

Thyroid hormones are only effective if you remember to take them. When your hypothyroidism symptoms are flaring up, you may feel confused or struggle with brain fog. Therefore, remembering to take your medication may be a challenge. You also could have a coexisting condition like I do, such as Fibromyalgia, which further impacts memory. That's a double-whammy!

Here are some ways to help you remember to take your thyroid medications:

I mentioned previously that it may help you remember to take your thyroid hormones by keeping them in the same place and taking them at the same time. Now, there is a bit of debate as to whether you should refrigerate your thyroid medication or not.

I use Synthroid and do not refrigerate it. However, there are people {usually those who take natural thyroid hormones or T3/T4 combinations} who say it is best to refrigerate. It is thought that refrigeration may keep the drug potent longer and at a much more consistent level.

I guess a good rule of thumb would be: if your doctor, pharmacy or prescription packing mentions that you should refrigerate your thyroid hormone, you probably should. If not, it’s up to you.

Another area that you should be concerned with is drug interactions. Thyroid medications are very serious substances. They can have negative interactions with a variety of medications including: certain antidepressants, anticoagulants (“blood thinners”), insulin and cholesterol lowering drugs. You should let your doctor know what other medications you are on prior to your prescription being written.

Some drugs can reduce the potency of the thyroid medications; others may increase it. There are some that will make the effect of the hormone null and void. Thyroid medications may require that certain prescriptions be adjusted or that you switch to another, less thyroid-unfriendly one.

Should you take your thyroid medication on an empty stomach?

I usually do because my doctor recommended it. Although, I don’t wait to eat breakfast for an hour after taking it like some other people do. If I do that, I get nauseous, but that’s me.

Anyway, most doctors recommend taking your thyroid hormones this way because food can impede the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream because it can bind with it. However, some people find that food helps them ‘stomach’ the medication better. Guidelines are there to guide you and recommendations are just that.

Remember: You have to do what’s right for you.

You may also notice that you should take your thyroid medications at different times of the day from other vitamins and medications, such as insulin, and anti-seizure drugs, usually an hour or two apart.

We’ve answered all the questions at the beginning (and more) except for one:

Will fiber help you absorb your thyroid medication better?

A diet that is high in fiber is certainly one that can help speed the absorption process up. Fiber seems to get things going. However, switching to a high fiber diet isn’t necessary for you to get the full effects of your thyroid medications. It may make sense if you are suffering from constipation as a result of your hypothyroidism. (It is, unfortunately, a symptom!)

Side effects from thyroid medications are generally low, especially if you are put on the right dosage. If you feel extremely nervous or anxious, suffer heart palpitations, have trouble breathing, struggle with diarrhea and/or vomiting, you should probably call your doctor. You could be on too much thyroid hormone or one that’s just not right for you due to fillers or what have you.

The best tip for handling your thyroid medications is: common sense. If something feels wrong to you or you don’t feel right about it, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. It can take a long time to find the right dosage and/or medication for you, but, when you find it, you’ll feel so much better.

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