Take Your Thyroid Medication At Night: Here's Why

Changing the time of day that to take your thyroid medication can improve its effectiveness and reduce your thyroid symptoms. If you are like most thyroid patients then you are probably taking your thyroid medication first thing in the morning.

But what if I told you there's nothing magical about this time of day? While that's the standard advice, there are emerging data that suggests that not only are other times of day an option, but they also might be better.

One study followed patients who took their thyroid medication in the morning and then at night and evaluated their thyroid lab tests both times. They found that patients taking their thyroid medication in the evening had higher levels of free thyroid hormones compared to those taking it in the morning.

Does this mean you should take your medication at night? Not necessarily, but it may be worth considering.

The biggest potential downside to taking your medication at night is that it may interfere with your sleep. This isn't actually a problem for MOST people but it can be a problem for some. If taking your thyroid medication in the evening does cause sleeping issues then the benefits of taking it at that time likely do not outweigh the consequences of decreased sleep quality.

But, no problem, you can always go back to taking it in the morning.

This strategy has the potential to work with ALL thyroid medications, including those with T3. But note that T3-containing medications are more likely than T3-containing medications to cause sleep issues (but only slightly).

#thyroidmedication #thyroidmeds #levothyroxine #synthroid #thyroid

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Disclaimer:

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.

[catezaida]

I had a thyroidectomy back in 1996. They took the entire thyroid out, left me with 2 parathyroids. I am on a dose of 200 mcg daily. My biggest problem is finding a doctor who can actually read a thyroid profile. Every time I go in for my yearly checkup, inevitably, the new doctor will take one look and tell me, "It looks like your thyroid has picked up function. We are going to have to decrease your medicine." Which would be a flipping MIRACLE because I don't HAVE a thyroid thanks to cancer and them taking it completely out. Put me in the Guinness Book of World Records for growing a thyroid back I guess. They get angry when I ask them if they even read my medical history and it gets into a freaking power struggle. Doctors change in my community a lot, no one stays here for long and I have to go through the entire process every single year. And not that any of you needed to know that. I am just frustrated and am slowly being killed by this medical community.

[kaylagriffin]

I’ve switched my from morning to nights about 4 months ago and I feel a huge difference

[catcrazy]

When I take my thyriod meds in the morning im exhausted about an hour after I take them and want a nap and I feel sluggish all day! I feel so much better taking mine at night. I sleep better and have more evergy the next day. My doctor had a fit and told me it was designed to be taken in the morning and to stop taking it at night and completely discounted what I told her about how I felt. Im going back to taking it at night and will be getting a different doctor!

[maryg]

I’ve been on thyroid medication for 14 years, and have always taken it around 2 am. I figured that if it needs to be taken alone, what better time to take it. It’s worked out very well. And I’ve never had a problem falling back to sleep. But that’s just me

[alyssatower]

Yep, I take mine at 1:30 in the morning every day. I set an alarm. The pill is on my bedside table. I've done this for the past 6 years. Works like a charm. I decided to do it this way so I can eat or drink whatever I want during the day. I did my own research when I started taking my medication and discovered so many things react with it. So many people I know who take it ignore the recommendations and then are surprised that they have to up their meds.

[lyndavonkanel]

I used to take my Synthroid at bedtime and was told to take it in the morning then fast again another half hour. Sometimes that causes me to skip breakfast, which isn't good for me, or to get up earlier than I would to make time for it. On those mornings I have to get up earlier than usual already, the extra half hour isn't fun. Thanks for making this video! I'm going back to medicating at bedtime.

[iabergils]

I have taken my thyroid medication at night for a few years now and tried to tell people how much better this has been for me. Some people online and some friends have listened but not the doctors(I live in Sweden). They still think people should take it when it is recommended. For that sake alone. "Recommendations say" ... Thank you for speaking about it and reaching people who needs to hear it. It is sooo true. Please try it if you are on meds yourself.

[kathleenhensley]

I'm going to try it. I am getting desperate about my weight gain. I'm in my 70s and I can't gain weight like this. It is a recipe for becoming wheel chair bound. I want to be able to get around, garden, walk, even with arthritis.

[kaykasper]

You can take your thyroid meds at night with other meds and supplements as long as you don’t eat within 30 minutes of taking it. Also, no antacids within 30 minutes of taking any meds as well. I’m a nurse. We have given this education to patients for years.

[apocalypse_frau]

I’ve followed Dr. Childs for years, and this simple change made a significant improvement in my energy level. I despise taking Levothyroxine, but it’s much more tolerable this way.

[Fred_the_Head]

Lower gastric pH increases absorption of levothyroxine. The lowest gastric pH typically occurs between midnight and 3:00 AM.

[lindajohnson.]

I was told to take a my thyroid in the morning with water. After I eat breakfast I feel like I can hardly function. Tired! Will try it in the evening. I have been on this medicine 16 years. Hope it works better .😊

[LornaThomas-wxtn]

Have been taking thyroxine for 58 years! Have always taken it in the am.Will give it a go taking it at bedtime 💤

[CMKA]

Thank you.. I tried this last night. Taking 90mg Armour & 5mcg Liothyronine at 10:30pm. I slept wonderfully sound and woke up a 6:30am full of energy. This will be my go to from now on.

[fusspot]

I have been taking my levo-t at bedtime for around 6 years now. My stomach is empty at bedtime at around midnight and I go to sleep just fine. Head hits pillow and....zonk! So much better than taking it in the morning, it used to annoy me that I had to hold off on breakfast. It was just too inconvenient that way.

[allsorts]

I agree with you 100%. Before my endocrinologist discharged me (10 yrs post thyroid cancer) she explained this to me and I have been doing it ever since.

[moreland]

I took my 88mg Levo at night for 18 months but developed nighttime heartburn. I moved it up to an hour before bedtime and still had nighttime heartburn. I moved it to the morning and the heartburn went away. I fast from 5pm to 9am, so taking it at 6am upon awakening will (hopefully) still provide benefits. I'm realizing that taking it in the morning actually encourages me to push out eating as long as possible thus helping me with my intermittent fasting.

[catherinehouse]

I started following Dr. Childs’ advice about 3 months ago. The big difference for me was I didn’t realize caffeine from my tea was affecting my medication. I’ve lost 10 lb since switching to evenings.

[rapturesoon]

My thyroid specialist, ENDOCRINOLOGIST, said I could take my 88mg pill at bedtime, only if I hadn't eaten 2-3 hrs prior.
I highly prefer my only prescription drug, Levothyroxin, at bedtime as I take numerous vitamins in the AM.
I swear my thyroid med HELPS ME SLEEP!!!

[galeg.]

My endocrinologist checks my blood work and levels every six months, so he can adjust the levels should there be malabsorption. I take it at 4 am when I get up to pee, and I am certain my stomach is totally empty. My digestion is slow. (I stop eating at 6 PM). Then I sleep a few more hours. This routine works for me.