Timing is Everything
In the world of medicine, timing is everything. It is particularly crucial when it comes to the administration of thyroid medications. The timing of medication intake is a factor often overlooked, yet it has a significant impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
Patients with thyroid disorders are usually prescribed medications that need to be taken daily. The proper timing of these medications can often mean the difference between a successful treatment and an endless cycle of adjustments and disappointments. However, non-compliance to the prescribed timing can have serious implications on a patient’s health and one of the most common reasons for non-compliance in thyroid management is in taking the medication with the right timing!
Why Does it Matter?
Non-compliance with thyroid medication timing leads to unstable thyroid hormone levels. This instability can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from fatigue and weight gain to depression and heart palpitations. Part of the issue arises from the fact that thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, are highly sensitive to food and other medications. These drugs should ideally be taken on an empty stomach, approximately 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, or at least two hours after the last meal of the day. Care must also be made with other medications and supplements. This is crucial because other medications can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication, reducing its efficacy. This is particularly true with antacids that include calcium and magnesium and longer term antacids like omeprazole. Four hours must separate these medications from thyroid medication!
Get Yourself Together
Timing can be tricky, so the use of a couple pillboxes can be very benefical for those who must take a thyroid medication. Building out your daily medication timeline is the best way to ensure safe and adequate time between medications. Then, having a smaller portable pillbox for medications that need to be taken after leaving home can help keep your medication administration consistent!
Use this simple checklist to help you set up your pillboxes and support yourself in managing your Hashimotos and advocating for your health today!
To Learn More about Hashimotos thyroiditis, take my 2-hour Masterclass, Hashimotos 101:Understand Your Diagnosis and Advocate for Your Health