Supplements That INTERFERE With Levothyroxine (& other thyroid medication)

Over 100 million people will fill a prescription for levothyroxine this year and most of them have no idea how many different things interfere with its function.
This includes food, medications, and, yes, even supplements.
Which is why I put together a list of supplements that can cause problems with thyroid medication. Are you taking any?
1. Biotin
- Biotin interferes with the ACCURACY of thyroid medication and levothyroxine.
2. Caffeine
- Caffeine decreases the absorption of your thyroid medication.
3. Iron and calcium
- Both iron and calcium bind to and inactivate levothyroxine and other thyroid medications.
4. Glucomannan and other fiber supplements
- Glucomannan and fiber supplements delay the absorption of thyroid medication.
5. Estrogen enhancing supplements.
- Supplements that increase estrogen increase thyroid binding globulin which decreases how much free thyroid hormone your body can use.
See the full list of labs that every thyroid patient should get here: • All 10 Thyroid Lab Tes...
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): www.restartmed.com/start-here/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: bit.ly/3tekPej
- Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto's: bit.ly/3gSY9eJ
- Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: bit.ly/3tb36nZ
- Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: bit.ly/3t70yHo
See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here:
www.restartmed.com/shop/
Want more from my blog? I have more than 400+ well-researched blog posts on thyroid management, hormone balancing, weight loss, and more. See all blog posts here:
www.restartmed.com/blog/
Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: apple.co/3kNYTCS
Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: www.restartmed.com/what-happe...
This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's

[@pinschrunner]

1. Biotin (avoid 2-3 days before labs are drawn) 2. Caffeine- of any kind (causes fatigue) 3. Iron or Calcium within 4 hours of dosage 4. Glucomannin soluable fiber slows down absorption of meds so take 4 hours after thyroid medication 5. Estrogen enhancing or supporting substances can increase thyroid binding globulin so it isnt free to act on tissue FT3\FT4 can be affected

[@PamelaWildman-Williams]

Thank you - I love a brief synopsis - thanks!

[@sandypacheco5526]

Thank you so very much!!!

[@blackbette07]

Thanks

[@shielanunn3484]

Switching to Meds before Bed..

[@marlenecastle8511]

Thank you ❤

[@melodywilkes762]

This is why I take my meds when I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom

[@carolbaughan8768]

What a great idea. Genius.

[@daslous89]

Yep, I get up around 3am and take mine. The whole reality that doctors don't tell you is that you shouldn't have or take any calcium for at least 4hrs before and after.

[@debdubois3636]

Same!

[@gjknepper]

Same here.

[@TheAAnne123]

I do too!!!!!!

[@daslous89]

Bottomline Doc is that they need to come up with another thyroid medicine that actually works without so many don'ts.

[@alexormarkhawkins7074]

I agree, I have never felt ok on any type of thyroid medication.Past 12 years. I feel like a zombie. And at 1 pm I become worrhless, moody, extreme tired. I interferes with my work. So tired of this nightmare I've been in.😢

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

At night I cant even sleep. Fall asleep for 30 mins then wake cant sleep until morning cames. Then mynerves is not rested my pressure goes up and I am irritated. Everything bothers me. Even if a pin drops on the flood. I will cut my hair again because no matter what I do, my hair is brittle damage falling out. This is like à darn contrat sign with the devil. Fighting a losing battle

[@kathrynrealhealthtalk910]

Read Dr brownstein book . Iodine and why you need it. Go to well educated natural health food store for high quality supplements options. Good luck.

[@kathrynrealhealthtalk910]

Be careful about meds. Functional medicine doctor might be able to help transition to better stuff. It's out there.

[@kathrynrealhealthtalk910]

There are already better options out there. It's just a matter of finding most appropriate for each person. Functional medicine doctor are an option. Compounding pharmacy familiar. Also well educated natural health food store. And read Dr David brownstein book called iodine and why you need it. Bodies need lots of support. Good luck.

[@lisamcfatter9234]

Thank you for this. I've been on levothyroxine for 30 years now.

[@sandraacton2021]

Me too and none told me this

[@slavicaminic2742]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2000. I have been on Synthroid and levothyroxine. The synthetic didn’t work for me. Armour Thyroid was the only medication that did. After reading up on hypothyroidism, the suggestion was to wait three hours before I ate or drank anything. When I mentioned this to my doctor, he suggested I wait one hour. I have been following that rule for a couple of decades now and it has been working for me.

[@TheAAnne123]

I did very well on Armor Thyroid too, but then my two doctors said it is no longer considered a safe med and switched me to Levothyroxine. I can’t shake the tiredness, I am fighting to lose weight and I just feel unmotivated. In other words I don’t like Levothyroxine.

[@tarafox6618]

​@@TheAAnne123 i found a dessicated beef thyroid glandular supplement because I won't take pork based...it works well.

[@daisyrose8412]

I'm​@@TheAAnne123

[@marshabowlin1757]

I take NP which is a natural thyroid medication I like it it works good for me

[@bluecurlygirl]

So the majority of thyroid patients are middle aged women. Middle aged women (like myself) go through or have gone through menopause and have to supplement their now depleted hormones. In my case I take both estrogen and progesterone as both were almost non-existent at last blood test. No way I'm giving up my estrogen.

[@roxyiconoclast]

He’s not advocating stopping estrogen - actually the reverse. At the end of the video he talks a bit about this.

[@MRSyelgnal]

Yeah, I'm with you. I'm not opt caffeine, either. I'm just going to eat my last meal 5 hours before bedtime and take my thyroid meds at night. I'm still not to the part about estrogen but I really only supplement with organic soy miso paste. I'm not menopausal just yet. Moreso peri

[@MRSyelgnal]

Okay, finished it. Wow, so this just irritates me. Not the dr on the video but just the whole knowledge that menstruating women rarely are ever in pharmaceutical testing. So think about how medicating must impact a cycling woman.

[@nikajazz6226]

In UK they say take medication in the morning and then in 30 mins you can have your coffee 🤦‍♀️ Thank you so much

[@karenbenfield9819]

Same said in Australia

[@alainexpat]

Taking levothyroxine sublingually (under the tongue) avoids all digestive absorption issues with caffeine, food, etc. No more waiting 1 hour before or after taking dosage. Regardless, levothyroxine is poorly absorbed through the digestive system. By dosing this way, my TSH, T4, T3 levels are so normal it's boring. Taking through the digestive system you will be lucky to get 60% of the dosage of your Levothyroxine. Sublingually, the rate of absorption is nearer to 95% which means you will have to tweak your dosage down to account for the full absorption.

[@K1111A]

How do you do this? Do you open the tablet and put the powder under your tongue? Or is yours a liquid?

[@alainexpat]

@@K1111A My levothyrine is in the form of tablet not capsule so there is nothing to open. I simply stick it under my tongue and it melts away (absorbs) within about 10 minutes.

[@K1111A]

Thanks!!

[@lauramortick7600]

Where did you learn about this? So interesting!

[@alainexpat]

@@lauramortick7600 Well, interestingly, due to my endocrinologist's disinterest and lack of giving me any information about having Hashimoto's hypothyroidism, I was forced to do a lot of reading and research on my own...medical journals, reports, WHO findings, etc. and I found two important things that no one told me: 1) The levothyroxine dosage should be 1.6mg for every KG of body weight. I weigh 94 kg which means I should have about 125 mg dosage daily. (dosage should fluctuate with any weight fluctuations).My endo had me only on 25mg which was doing nothing. 2) Levothyroxine is poorly absorbed in the digestive system even if taken 1 hour before food. It was therefore recommended to take it sublingually. When I changed these two behaviors, my levels changed almost immediately...for the better. Now, when I get my levels checked, the TSH, T4, T3 are straight down the middle of the parameters. AND...I've never felt better.

[@thelastdays7310]

Same here I tried everything I was so tired only Jesus Christ help me with lots of pray and 3 days of fasting I am now free from any medication or any supplement and my thyroid it’s. Back to work again Jesus heal me 🥰

[@katrinabennett2759]

Oh how I wish this for me!!

[@raccooneyes2099]

geez.. i've been taking thyroid meds for over 20 yrs and i've been doing all the wrong things. drinking coffee and eating dairy right after, usually a yogurt as well as taking biotin for growing hair. no wonder i'm so fat and miserable!

[@pennybourban3712]

My doctor told me just to wait half hour before having coffee. If I remember I take it when I get up during the night to use the bathroom. I drink a lot of water. I always need to get up.

[@carolbaughan8768]

I was fat and miserable until I switched to Armor Thyroid. Just like the hotdogs, it's from pigs. Mt latest New grad MD dropped my dose by 50%. I was crashed. My hair is still falling out. So have most of my eye brows. Her partner increased my dose by half. I feel better, but for my poor hair!! I'd been on that dose for many years.

[@Tinyteacher1111]

No one told me ANY of this, and I can’t see a specialist for 5 months! It just says “take 1 tab every day.” I threw up twice taking 1/2 dose! Thank you!

[@rozaz4754]

Please do a video about Hiatal hernia. So many people suffering and very little help from md’s. Txs!

[@LetThemGrumbIe]

I've had this condition for years but I'm still learning new information. Many thanks for sharing!

[@joeynanez9897]

Thank you doctor for all you great advice and information. God bless

[@brucemaher7621]

Bottom line Doc...WHY IS THERE MORE THYROID PROBLEMS NOW... THATS THE BIG BIG QUESTION...THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM CAN TELL YOU....

[@yimkwonglun62]

Thank you very much for your sharing

[@leslielucci3182]

So many doctors only test TSH & T4 SMH

[@arnhildlaurinelindkvist9444]

GOSSJJJJ...😥Im so happy now for stopped drinking coffee🙏but have to work on some of the other thing also🫣Thank you so much for this information🙏💞No Dr.,i have been to in Norway,and trust me,it has been many😥but non of them knows how to treet pasients with Thyroid issues,like myself,i dont even have a Thyroid left so i have had to regulate myself,and its not easy when you dont know how much and how little you have of all things😥Its not ok that dr.dont care about this things,because it can get so bad sometimes that your hole life could be terrible...,i have struggle with severe panic atac,cant sleep, gaining weight and all this things,but dr.dont think about this,so this is not anything to not think about,its so much thats going to be ok with your Thyroid if your life is going to feel normal in your body😥

[@Mugsy-jy9sw]

Holy smokes..I have hyperthyroidism, very anemic. Im tired all the time..drained.. loosing my hair..brain fog..I HATE IT! Help please

[@landslide82]

Rule out Celiac. Anemia and thyroid problems very commonly caused by it.

[@BabesInToylandandotherthings]

I have hypothyroidism (and thyroid cancer PTC)). I get tired too and losing my hair (I don’t even comb my hair any more coz my comb is full of hair every time I comb it.

[@PamelaWildman-Williams]

I suggest you get the anaemia checked and treated urgently. It’s always good to take thyroxine meds with water ONLY and NOT have tea or coffee for 1 hour. It’s surprising how many people don’t know this. Can make a big difference. Get your iron treated - don’t be a mug Mugsy 😁. Hope you’ve got a sense of humour 😘

[@PamelaWildman-Williams]

Including no food for one hour

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

Same here. 11 years since I have removed my thyroid and they cannot get my correct dosage. Every 2 months blood test and change dosage. I am tired of all this. Barely eat yet gain weight. Crown of my head hair fell out. Then I am forgetful..... Lord help me

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

It's 2.20pm here I just took my multi vitamin, vit D, magnésium, vit B12. My levothyrox I took at 7am this morning

[@margaretlovi7099]

Thank you doc

[@SuzD0n]

Hi Doctor Westin. Are there any other conditions that are commonly linked to hypothyroidism and could you do a video on it? I've got a bunch of other diagnosed illnesses and would like to know if they're linked.

[@sktmango]

Love this thank you. I’ll be taking my vitamins at noon instead.

[@audreyprevost9360]

My daughter’s doctor told here to stop all dairy because it bad for hypothyroidism. Also sublingual vitamin and minerals can be taken at the same time because they don’t go into digestive tract.

[@audrahartman4212]

I have been on thyroid medication since the removal of my thyroid due to cancer in 1980. Needing both t3 and t4 I was on Amour thyroid derived from cows for 30 years without any issues. Big pharma closed down the production in favor of chemicals. My health is now precarious and I have almost died twice as doctors tried to put me on synthroid alone. Heart issues, breathing issues and depression are just some of the things I now have to deal with…. Thank you doctor for your information.

[@PandaBeafr]

I'm on Armour thyroid but its source is pork. I have no problem getting my prescription. Mine was also due to cancer. Good luck

[@tucsonwisewoman9523]

NP thyroid has T1 and T2, T3, T4 Armour was like that until they changed the formula. I tried armour when I could not get my NP right away I felt different in a bad way

[@geraldinemcwilliams5137]

So no tea or coffee what to drink other that water

[@MarnieSchalla]

Completely ditched my Levothyroxine after Doctors determined the medication made no difference whether I took it or not. I take CanPrev Thyroid Matrix now. Can definitely tell the difference.

[@lithead]

Thank you for this very clear and useful information. I guess it's time to kick the coffee habit, which makes me sad. But it's better than poor uptake.

[@R.L.Maverick]

No coffee. 😫

[@bluecurlygirl]

I hear ya. Coffee addict here.

[@rebmosher5512]

I'd like to know if this also pertains to NP Thyroid. Also why do endocrinologists seem to think as long as the "numbers" are within range everything is good. Tell them you're still feeling so very tired, brain fog, etc. and it's "Numbers are fine so it's not your thyroid doing it."

[@peynattyl]

They need to correct the range because it's waaay too broad.

[@hollylarsen8944]

Need to check free T4, T3 and reverse T3 only numbers that matter

[@Viv8ldi]

Memo: biotin messes with lab work

[@Godisgreat-777]

Very informative. Thank you! How much time should biotin be taken from Levothyroxin?

[@roxyiconoclast]

Doesn’t matter, as it doesn’t affect thyroid function. It only affects thyroid tests, so we need t ostop taking biotin 2 to 3 days before the blood draw.

[@babylemonade000]

Doesn’t Ozempic affect thyroid med absorption? I’d be interested in your option on this.

[@sandraacton2021]

I have started to use berberine but I don’t take it at same time as thyroid meds. Is there an interaction in my blood readings? Asking cause my last bloods said I was being over medicated with thyroid meds, what has the berbarine done ?

[@ElaineBott-zz8dm]

Is it Should I continue to take L-Tyrosine supplement after starting on Armour Thyroid?

[@hollylarsen8944]

I take Armour Thyroid and feel so much better than taking synthetic thyroid!

[@jacqwerner7919]

I've been taking Armour Thyroid for several years as well as other medications I take them all in the morning. Should I start taking the Armour Thyroid at night and as far as hormones such as estrogen and progesterone should I be taking them post-menopausal?

[@dinawhite5175]

Would you please renew your license many of us are suffering and regular Doctors do not prescribe more natural thyroid medication and no one wants to take meds from big pharma with many side effects you understand a lot more and are willing to help!! Please

[@jamalahmad7800]

DIM supplements also reduce absorption of levothyroxine???? Plz guide me

[@holistics.made.simple]

If I eat vegetables that contain calcium will that affect Synthroid absorption? Is the calcium high enough to affect it? Than you!

[@thedude2897]

I've been on Tirosint for many years from thyroid removal. I havent have any issues drinking clean mold free coffee an hour after taking it and labs have been good. There was a study done in 2022 that even says drinking coffee does not hinder the absorption of thyroid medication, but I dont remember if it was a specific type of levothyroxine pill or liquid. Even Tirosint themselves says coffee does not interfere with their medication. I'd be curious to see studies that show it does affect things. I think a lot of people don't realize either that most coffee contains high amounts of Ochratoxin (mycotoxins) that I know can really mess a lot of things up.

[@thestatstories]

Please Dr do a video on curcumin +peperine supplement for hashimoto

[@yutuber1981]

I have no thyroid. On levothyroxine. Took l-Carnitine Tartrate for 5 days to help with weight loss. Ended up in hospital. Blocks thyroid receptors on the cells. TSH went from 1 to 22. I was so sick.

[@Anisky123]

@youtuber1981 OMG I’m going thru similar. It’s such a horrible roller coaster. And the feeling of falling off a cliff. ❤

[@yutuber1981]

@@Anisky123 it’s been months and my levels are back to normal but still have some symptoms. Especially with my breathing. Hope you’re on the mend ❤️‍🩹

[@annekedam6846]

I used chlorella because it contains a lot of minerals. My filling in tooth was leasing and read you need to detox with chlorella to get rid of heavy metals. Well...after a week i felt weird, bad focus, unstable it felt i didnt took medication.... the chlorella was deroxing so well that i think detoxed my meds too! If i take magnesium in the evening, what for effect has it on thyroxine?? Because recent i felt very bad again and without a good reason, so i thought it is the magnesium??

[@annettegeorge209]

Whatever I eat it goes straight through me. What can I do

[@carrie5693]

Gee, so glad my endo explained all of this to me. 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️

[@cindyrstedman2573]

I take DHEA with my thyroid meds. Would it mess with the absorption?

[@kristinebalena3969]

I take Tirosint, its a gel cap and doesnt contain fillers like lactose and gluten. I take it at bedtime. Im going to start taking my cytomel later in the day.

[@user-wz9pu7ty9z]

Antactds?

[@Kennyliz]

I’ve been like that. I’m not well after coffee.

[@poppy3026]

SO LAST MONTH OR SO I SAW ON THE WEB A STORY ABOUT THYROID MEDS CAUSING HEART PROBLEMS. DOES THIS INCLUDE LEVOTHYROXINE ?

[@josieholland4144]

what about if you're taking supplements only for your thyroid?

[@jameskantor0459]

@Dr Child’s, how about magnesium , how much time to space?

[@Dinoduck24]

Can Blood Pressure medication be taken at the same time as Leveothyoxine

[@marleangreene6117]

Every doctor I have been to always gives levothyroxon like no other thyroid meds exists

[@janeroth7]

What if I take thyroid meds at night? I take Thyrovanz which is t3/t4.

[@erinjuni]

Is calcium D glucarate the same as calcium?

[@uzmanaheed6759]

Assalam o alikum sir Is it cure able

[@adelinekeys6582]

My situation is that in 2022 I had heart palpitations and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism as the cause Since then I've had thyroid blood tests every couple of months... I've taken selenium magnesium ,zinc, black seed oil, vit b, vit d etc. I've done regular exercise and had very little alcohol. I got plenty of sleep and no stress. I refused to take prescription meds. The result? No change at all in 2 years! TSH is extremely low and t3t4 are too high. I have some thyroid antibodies I don't know what to do now. Nothing has made any difference. I still don't want to take the meds. Please help!!??

[@thelastdays7310]

Same here I tried everything I was so tired only Jesus Christ help me with lots of pray and 3 days of fasting I am now free from any medication or any supplement and my thyroid it’s. Back to work again Jesus heal me 🥰

[@dianafuentes9523]

I also was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I did some research and read Brazil nuts are excellent source of selenium. I started eating them every day. 5 to 5 of them. My labs came back alot better! Hope this helps.

[@marleangreene6117]

My doctor says I can take another as long as I wait 2 hours after I take levothyroxon

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

If I had à doctor like you here in France my life would be better. They dont know what they are doing here and dont listen. The New levothyrox not agree ing with me. But they feel I am crazy

[@katedaniels9623]

Same thing here in the US of A

[@JamesDavis-gt2fp]

Same here, I went natural thyroid and it made a world of difference for me.

[@kathysharpe7339]

Yea yea yea. Everything in moderation. For gawds sake.

[@Dixiedream]

I take Armour Thyroid, usually in the mornings….im thinking I should take it at bedtime now….

[@hollylarsen8944]

Armour is from pigs not cows.

[@roxanarodriguez6670]

I have no thyroid but I take armour thyroid and I also take maca this means I have to stop taking maca

[@carolf2381]

You can take your thyroid medicine at night. Even in the middle of the night to avoid problems with other things you take.

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

À lady in the radiologue told me that the New levothyrox made sick so she take a différent one and now she is OK. I will go there and ask her, Before I could lose weight because I walk, dont eat animal, no fast food etc.... So they manufacturés the New one, all hell break lose. Sickness I never had start on me. I try to all healthy stuff and it dont matter. I will go overseas to see another doctor

[@antoinetterichardson9301]

In France they only test for TSH😭😭😭😭😭

[@joywebster2678]

Same in Canada. The thyroid levels are only drawn once there is a problem with the Thyroid stimulating hormone levels.

[@sandraacton2021]

Same here uk

[@mrs.reluctant4095]

Same in Germany, darling.

[@MariadelRossrio]

😢😡

[@kathrynrealhealthtalk910]

Its not going to be an all in one pill. Doesn't work that way.

[@jenniferhamer167]

I can give up the coffee but chocolate 😮

[@cocoemrick1903]

Levothyroxine is awful! I'm having my thyroid removed on June 4th. If that doesn't change how my body processes levo, I will insist on an alternative.

[@photo80sjeff84]

Uggg Coffee, I only have one cup, But, yep..in the morning when I take my thyroid. I will experiment with no coffee and see.❤

[@PamelaWildman-Williams]

Hi! I’ve come across this with people so many times - I think you should have a nice cup of coffee if you enjoy it (preferably decaf)BUT just stave off the coffee for ONE hour only and tap yourself on the back for being wise & being a good sport! This delaying of the coffee/tea is so right on. Every single person I’ve spoken to has noticed a difference in that their levels have become stable, AND, more importantly they notice the difference. It’s important to keep levels similar for the simple reason to get the right amount just for you. I take 87.5 micrograms of Levothyroxine as soon as I awake. That’s 3 1/2 tablets, each tablet is 25 micrograms. Only a small difference from 75 micrograms or 100 micrograms but it does make a difference for me. I’ve tried 100 micros for the sheer convenience but no - I need the dose right for me, as indeed you do. Give yourself a couple of months and you will learn, with your doctor, which is the right dose for you. I’m labouring the point because this has always helped others. Just to mention … do you know the cause of your thyroid issue. This can make all the difference too. I was given the diagnosis of (low) thyroid function near on 40 years ago. I had the antibody test for Hashimoto’s and just given Levothyroxine and told to just get on with it. I saw a professor four months ago and hilighted Hashimoto’s and now it is properly recognised and thankfully to American medicine and podcasts we can take that trail, become informed and get improvements. I so care. Keep getting informed my friend and hope you feel better really soon. Big God Bless you ❤️🙏

[@pigeon51]

Am I ok drinking tea? English tea?

[@terimorris6394]

Same question here! I love tea

[@misterbowser3496]

I should suggest not taking Pro GH either lol. One of the worst things ever

[@nordictarot]

Why is there so much about hypothyroidism and nothing about hyperthyroidism. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@katedaniels9623]

I was chewing my med

[@mollybeepepperpot044]

Way to confusing

[@solemnvulgar1022]

Just take supplements 4 hours after taking your thyroid medication

[@jadedoptimist6364]

Don't drink coffee.

[@Capcarap333]

Bla bla