How to Properly Take Thyroid Medications

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Disease may require you to take thyroid medication. All medications need to be taken as prescribed but thyroid medicine is especially sensitive to outside factors and it's highly important that it is taken on a regular basis because it affects all bodily functions.

Instructions

1. Take thyroid hormone medication with a full 8 oz. of water and on an empty stomach to allow for maximum absorption. This means waiting 1 hour after taking your medication to eat, or waiting 2 to 3 hours after eating to take your medication.

2. Take your medication at the same time every day. If you miss a day do not double up on your medicine by taking 2 doses the next day. Most doctors recommend putting your medicine in a convenient place where you'll remember to take it first thing in the morning.

3. Stay on a high-fiber diet. If you start or stop eating fiber, get your thyroid rechecked because it may change your absorption. Take vitamins or supplements with iron at least 2 to 3 hours apart from thyroid hormone. Iron can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption if taken too close together. Be careful about taking calcium and calcium-fortified orange juice at the same time as thyroid hormone. Also, don't take antacids within 2 hours of taking thyroid hormone.