Brand Name: Animal Levothyroxine/Liothyronine, Animal
Thyroid, Armour® Thyroid, Cytomel®, Desiccated Thyroid, Eltroxin®,
Euthroid®, L-Tri-iodothyronine, Levo-T®, Levothroid®, Levothyroxine,
Levothyroxine (Synthetic), Levoxyl®, Liothyronine, Liothyronine (Synthetic), Liotrix,
Proloid®, Synthroid®, Thyar®, Thyroglobulin, Thyrolar®, Thyroxine,
Triostat®, Unithroid®
Thyroid Hormones Information
Thyroid medications are synthetic or animal-derived hormones used to treat people with hypothyroidism (low thyroid function), goiter,
and Hashimoto’s disease.
The information in this article pertains to thyroid hormones in general. The interactions
reported here may not apply to all the Also Indexed As terms. Talk to your doctor or
pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)
 May be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Calcium
|
Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements
when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity
of the medication in the body. |
Calcium
Soy
|
|
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Bugleweed*
Lemon balm*
|
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Iron
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Thyroid Hormones Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Calcium
Thyroid hormones have been reported to increase urinary loss of calcium.1 However,
recent research suggests that, under most circumstances, taking thyroid hormones may not be
associated with reduced bone density.2 3 Calcium supplementation for
people taking long-term thyroid medication has not yet been proven to be either helpful or
necessary.
Simultaneous ingestion of some calcium formulations with levothyroxine has been reported to
reduce the effectiveness of levothyroxine.4 For example, 1,200 mg per day of
calcium as calcium carbonate, taken along with levothyroxine, significantly reduced absorption
of the thyroid hormone.5 Levothyroxine activity will not be blocked if it is taken
in the morning and calcium carbonate is taken after lunch and dinner. Separating these
medications by at least four hours is recommended.
Iron
Iron deficiency has been reported to impair the body’s ability to make its own thyroid
hormones,6 which could increase the need for thyroid medication. In a preliminary
trial, iron supplementation given to iron-deficient women with low blood levels of thyroid
hormones, partially normalized these levels.7 Diagnosing iron deficiency requires
the help of a doctor. The body’s ability to make its own thyroid hormones is also
reduced during low-calorie dieting. Iron supplementation (27 mg per day) was reported in a
controlled study to help maintain normal thyroid hormone levels in obese patients despite a
very low-calorie diet.8
However, iron supplements may decrease absorption of thyroid hormone
medications.9 10 People taking thyroid hormone medications should talk
with their doctor before taking iron-containing products.
Soy
Ingestion of soy products simultaneously with thyroid hormones appears to reduce the
absorption of the hormones. To be safe, people taking thyroid medication should not consume
soy products within three hours of taking their medication. In addition, infants with
congenital hypothyroidism given thyroid medication must not be given increased or reduced
amounts of soy-based formula without consulting a pediatrician or pediatric
endocrinologist.11
Thyroid Hormones Interactions with Herbs
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus,
Lycopus europaeus) and lemon
balm (Melissa officinalis) may interfere with the action of thyroid hormones
and should not be used during treatment with thyroid hormones.12
Thyroid Hormones Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Food
Taking levothyroxine with food may decrease its absorption.13 Levothyroxine
absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach.14 High-fiber diets have
been shown to decrease levothyroxine absorption.15 Thyroid hormones should be taken
an hour before eating, at the same time very day.16
|
|
Review Date: 3/13/2007
Medication: eltroxin -  - Below Average
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: More than 1 month but less than 3 months
Strength: 50 mg X 1 times per day
Side Effects: Headache, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Constipation
Other Products Taken: Iron Tablets
I have been getting lots of headaches and feel dizzy at times since taking the Eltroxin.
Indira
South Africa
|
|
Review Date: 7/25/2007
Medication: Synthroid and Armour -  - Average
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: Less than 1 month
Strength: 90 mcg X 0 times per day
Side Effects: Anxiety, Headache, Dizziness, Rapid Heartbeat, Upset Stomach / Diarreha, Loss of Sleep, Increased Irritability, Made Me Nauseous
Other Products Taken:
Originally, I was taking Synthroid, which devestated me. I was very tired every day, and so I became very depressed. I am not obese; in fact, I am very fit. Being a gay male of 46 years old and more youthful, more energetic than most of my peers, I spent at least 6 or 7 hours a week vigorous dancing in bars. I was ruined, I thought, after taking synthroid. I have now been taking 90 mcg of armour thyroid medication for about 30 days. I am still feeling some of the side effects, which include occasional headaches, intolerance to hot weather, and a hyper feeling; but after the synthroid, this is somehow tolerable. I feel optimistic that maybe armour will help solve some of the day to day problems of an underactive thyroid. My level was last measured at 25; My doctor very specifically told me I must achieve a level of 5 or lower to be in a healthier status. I get tested the end of this week. Let's hope for further success. Good luck to all of you who are suffering with this most annoying condition. It is the medication and the search for the ideal amount and dealing with occasional side effects which are the most difficult.
Thom Skiens
Sacramento, CA USA
|
|
Review Date: 8/4/2007
Medication: Synthroid -  - Very Good
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: 88 mcg X 1 times per day
Side Effects: None
Other Products Taken: Water
I have had no side effects with this medicine. In order to feel better, the best tsh range should be no higher than 1.9; patients should strive to be at that level; anything higher could cause other problems such as elevated cholesterol, insulin metabolism, etc.
Karina Chernoff
Mission Viejo, CA USA
|
|
Review Date: 8/23/2007
Medication: Synthroid - - Very Good
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: 125 mcg X 1 times per day
Side Effects: Depression, Headache, Constipation, Dry Skin, Loss of Energy, Weight Gain
Other Products Taken: no
I was also devasated when I found out I had throyid issues. As far as taking the medication, I have no choice in the matter. My doctor tells me I need to take the medication for the rest of my life. My main concern is if this disease is going to cause any other diseases like diabetes?
Ana
West Covina, CA USA
|
|
Review Date: 8/25/2007
Medication: L-Thyroxine and Levoxyl -  - Stay Far Away
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: More than 1 month but less than 3 months
Strength: 12.5 mcg X 0 times per day
Side Effects: Stomach Pain, Upset Stomach / Diarreha, Gave Me Gas or Made Me Bloated, Loss of Sleep, Increased Irritability
Other Products Taken: Multiple Vitamin
I am a 57 year old female recently diagnosed with hypothyroid problem. I was given 50 mcg. of L-Thyroxine per day at the beginning. After the fourth dose, I developed severe stomach problems and chest pains and I ended up in the ER.
I was swithced to Levoxyly, 12.5 mcg every four days and I experience frequent bowel movemets, gas, and I am jittery. The problems seem to be magnified with each subsequent dose.
If anyone has had a similar problem and found a solution, please contact me at sdimarco@bccc.edu. Thanks.
Sally
Ellicott City, MD USA
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purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. The "reviews" listed for any medical condition, prescription drug, condition or symtpom is provided specifically from eVitamins and is not associated with healthnotes.
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