scott asked
I am having trouble finding time in the morning to take levothyroxine. Can I just take it at night instead?
Answer
It is usually recommended to take levothyroxine in the morning on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
However, if dosing levothyroxine in the morning does not work for you, an alternative is to take levothyroxine at night, 3 to 4 hours after your last meal on an empty stomach.
Levothyroxine Dosing
Levothyroxine is most commonly used to treat hypothyroidism. It is dosed in such low amounts (micrograms!) that small changes in absorption or dose can make a huge impact on the effects of the medication.
The bioavailability (i.e. rate and extent of absorption) of levothyroxine is affected by food and certain medications. Taking levothyroxine with food or other medicatons may cause a reduction in absorption and therefore, have reduced effectiveness. This could lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism such as:
- Lethargy
- Feeling of cold
- Slowed heart rate
- Weight gain
The best way to ensure consistent dosing of levothyroxine is to take it in a fasting state (i.e. empty stomach).
It is usually recommended that levothyroxine is taken:
- In the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating breakfast or taking other medications. It should also be taken with a full glass of water
An alternative to this morning dosing regimen, levothyroxine can be taken at night 3 to 4 hours after the last meal on an empty stomach. The most important aspect of levothyroxine dosing is taking it on an empty stomach.
Either timing (morning or evening) of levothyroxine is appropriate, however, it is important to consistently take your levothyroxine at the same time each day and on an empty stomach.
Summary
- Switching to nighttime dosing of levothyroxine is an alternative to taking it in the morning.
- However, if you choose to take levothyroxine at night, be sure to take it on an empty stomach at least 3 to 4 hours after eating your last meal of the day.
