My doc said to wait at least 30 mins after the morning pill before the morning coffee (and foods). I have 2 other relatives on thyroid meds and this is not necessary for THEM to do... I am wondering why it is necessary for me! Perhaps the drug they're on makes the difference, if so, I want out of this one! Any info on this is appreciated.
On levothyroxine, do you also have to wait for morning coffee?
Question posted by Jovanna on 1 May 2010
Last updated on 3 October 2019 by Jelaine57
Added 3 May 2010:
I take my coffee with dairy, so perhaps the dairy is considered "food?" I just find it odd that some others on thryoid meds don't have this issue of waiting for their morning coffee. I am a newbie and told to wait, so I listen and wait--but don't feel comfortable waiting!
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11 Answers
Jelaine57
3 Oct 2019
Dairy is an issue with thyroid meds. It should say on your med bottle or the paperwork you receive with your prescription. No calcium for 4 hours after taking pill.
Lexiejane
19 Oct 2017
Also... avoid water with Fluoride because effects of Fluoride damage healthy function of Thyroid Gland
Jlynn210
6 Jan 2017
It's always better to be safe then sorry. What I do to avoid any interaction with the medication is set my alarm for 3 AM and take it then. I know it sounds a little inconvenient but so are all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It's actually the best time to take the medication since you have an empty stomach and you would be eating or drinking anything for a few more hours.
Kwilkie2
26 Dec 2016
Caffeine inhibits the body's ability to absorb your thyroid medication. Avoid caffeine for 60 minutes after taking your med. This applies to all forms of thyroid supplementation. Sorry but that cup wil have to wait!
nekurasennyo
10 Feb 2012
I've been on levothyroxine for almost 3 1/2 years. My dose is still quite high (137mcg). I was told not to have anything to eat for at least 30-60 minutes after I take my pill in the morning and no coffee for an hour before or an hour after my pill. Also, absolutely nothing with any calcium or iron for a minimum of 4 hours before or after. I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning, wait for just over an hour after that, take my pill, then wait another hour and have more coffee. Kind of a pain in the neck, but once I got the routine down, it's a piece of cake. Good luck!
Brie34
7 Dec 2011
I was just prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyrodism, too. My endocrinologist told me to take it when I get up at 5:00 a.m. to go to the bathroom and return to bed. She strongly advised me not to drink anything (especially my morning coffee) after taking this medicine. You are being given correct advice. Maybe you can get up in the middle of the night, take it, and have your coffee when you awaken!?
JMDParker
28 Nov 2011
I was advised that the fat in the milk may inhibit the medication's absorption. I have switched to getting up early, taking it with a glass of water, then going back to bed for an hour.
Ro Red
24 Jan 2011
My doctor has told me to take mine 30 minutes to an hour before I have anything to eat or to have anything with dairy. Dairy coats the stomach and the Levothyroxine don't absorb the way it should. I keep my med on my bedside table and take it when my husband gets up for work and then I to back to sleep and when I get up. I have my coffee with creamer. I wait until up in the day to have milk or cheese. Hope this helps.
VA GIRL
25 March 2013
Powdered creamer is not considered Dairy .. I take my med with a full glass of water ... Perk my coffee, and have my first cup as soon as it perks .. I use sugar free Hazlelnut creamer ... I don't to start any new meds .. I have been on the thryroid med for 1 year ... My tsh levels are back in the normal range, but my Drwill not let me stop it ... Said my levels would go back high if stopped .. Gotta trust the dr ..
jjacob
25 July 2010
My doctor says to take levothyroxine at least two hours after consuming any food or drink, and to wait at least one hour before eating or drinking anything (except water) after taking the pill. In addition, wait at least 3 to 4 hours before consuming anything that contains calcium or iron -- not just vitamin supplements, but food as well. Eating food in less than one hour reduces the absorption of the medicine into your body. Consuming calcium or iron blocks or cancels the effects of the medication. My pharmacist says the same thing, but believes waiting 4 hours is better before consuming calcium or iron.
So, if you really want the medication to work for you, you'll wait an hour for your morning coffee or tea, and you'll find a creamer that contains no iron or calcium. (Check your grocer's dairy case and read the labels.)
Note, however, that it's very important to keep calcium levels up if you're a woman, otherwise levothyroxine can cause bone loss. So, if you take levothyroxine in the morning, make it a point to take calcium in the afternoon.
I also hate giving up my morning coffee so my compromise is to set the alarm an hour earlier than I used to, take the pill, and go back go bed for an hour. I've had no more trouble getting back to sleep than I have after hitting the snooze alarm. Just to be safe, I use calcium- and iron-free non-dairy creamer in the morning, and switch to healthier milk or cream later in the day.
Hope this is helpful to you.
roro22
2 May 2010
you must take your bills before first meal the best you take it at the same time every morning ,then wait at least 30 to 60 minutes .then if you have another meds you take them after four houre at least to voide any interaction between levothyroxine and them.you will find alot of information in this link do search about levothyroxine .and you will find alot.
roro22
2 May 2010
the point from take the pills on empty stomach .to let the paries of stomach absorb the hormones from the pills ... and when you donot eat after the pills 30 to 60 minutes you help your body to absorb the pills to do his job... so you mustnot eat after you take your pills before 30 to 60 minutes ... for me i take my pills at 10 clock morning then at 11 i take my breakfast
Bee78
15 Dec 2018
I just started back taking my levothyroxine 25 I take mine at 10 them I might not eat until 12 I's that ok and what can u eat.
marjorie zych
1 May 2010
Jovanna,
I too am on Levothyroxine aka Synthroid. I have had this drug for a long time, about six years, and I have never had to wait for something to drink. I always waited to eat but have always had something to drink and never had a problem like the other people you know. I would suggest asking your doctor for specific details on why you would not be able to have your coffee. It does work better on an empty stomach to get you levels where they should be but having coffee never made a problem for me. Everyone is different so do discuss it with your doctor and get an explanation, I am not a doctor but I have been on this drug for years and my levels have been fine having my coffee in the morning, I don't know if you were told this or not but you also need to stay away from grapefruit juice it does something to the medicine and then it don't work right. I hope you get this worked out and enjoy that cup of coffee, have one for me.
Jovanna
3 May 2010
Thank you for your response. My daughter-in-law is on synthroid and my SIL is on some kind of organic pork thyroid med, neither one of them needs to wait for coffee. I have mine with dairy, my DIL doesn't, my SIL I don't know, so perhaps it's the milk that's the problem. I see my doc early July and I will ask about this, especially if the levothyroxine I'm now taking (an oval pill) is not helping my numbers! It is very uncomfortable to wake up and have to sit around and wait and stare at the clock for 30 mins. to take a sip of coffee!
sandykstew
27 April 2011
Hi Jovanna,
I've been on Synthroid, now Levothyroxine, for many years. I was told early on to wait fifteen minutes after taking the med before I take any of my other medications or eat anything. Never told I couldn't drink anything. I just started taking it first thing on rising in the morning and by the time I'm showered and dressed, I'm ready to have coffee (with dairy), breakfast and all the other medications I take. Good luck!
mgachelin
9 Dec 2016
Hi my name is Marilyn. I started taking L thyroxine in july.I was told to wait an hour before i could eat or drink coffee.and 4Hours later before I could take my vitamins. I followed the instructions. Because I needed the medication to absorb well in my body.
Related topics
thyroid disease, levothyroxine
Further information
- Levothyroxine uses and safety info
- Levothyroxine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levothyroxine (detailed)
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