ask: Hello, I've been prescribed Synthroid for hypothyroidism. How much time after taking the pill is it safe to eat breakfast that includes considerable iron/calcium content (oat bran with yogurt)?
I have read that 1 hour after taking the pill should be enough for absorption, however, that multivitamins containing iron and calcium should only be taken at least 4 hours before or after. I have noticed that my usual morning cereal consists of 30 per cent iron (oat bran, which I actually take not to be constipated because of the extra iron I need to take in the evening)and calcium (in the form of yogurt). Would this influence the efficacy of the absorption of Synthroid?
Thanks very much.
Mrs. Pari
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Hi, Mrs. Pari, and welcome to EmpowHer!
This is an excellent question. I found people who take their multi-vitamins at lunch in order to avoid taking them too close to the Synthroid, but I haven't found any reference to cereal containing these elements.
We'll refer your question to one of our Empowher experts. Please come back to this page in a few days and see if we have found an answer for you. Also, in the meantime, some of our readers may be able to weigh in with their experiences.
Take care, and thank you for asking such a good question!
May 6, 2009 - 8:45amThis Comment
Many thanks Diane for your kind and lengthy answer. I shall certainly check back in a few days.
May 7, 2009 - 3:22pmMrs Pari
Hi. I'd be more worried about being on Synthroid rather than the iron in the cereal. I was on it a long time and so have been others. And we've all had continuing symptoms of our hypothyroid. Then the doctor denys it and puts you on more pills to treat the continuing symptoms. Synthroid is a T4 only medication, a storage hormone which is supposed to convert to T3. T3 is the active hromone. You are forced to live on conversion alone, yet your thyroid, if healthy, was making not just T4, but also T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. You should read the Stop the Thyroid Madness site. It's a completely patient site that tells you how patients are doing 100% better on desiccated thyroid. Google it.
May 7, 2009 - 9:30amThanks very much. I shall certainly check that site out!
May 7, 2009 - 3:24pmMrs Pari
These are the foods to avoid for hypothyroid conditions: Potato, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Yeast, Soybean oil (vegetable oil) and Caffeine (in any form, no exceptions). Generally, avoid sour foods and drinks. Milk and coconut oil are supposed to be good. Do not overdo exercise, stop before you get exhausted. Go to bed early. Try to be contended through out the day. I am no doctor, but say this from personal experience.
June 29, 2009 - 6:40pmQuestion: should I avoid these foods, if I am taking Synthroid? What about exercise levels? I am extremely active and tend to "overdo it" as a rule. I started taking Synthroid 30 years ago.
July 29, 2009 - 10:48amI am not a doctor. No clue about Synthroid. My advise is entirely for those looking to heal the natural way without medication. This condition should not be treated purely as physical. Mental and spiritual balance will go a long way in healing. Ujjayi pranayama helps. Meditation helps. Having an attitude of contentment, tolerance and humility will definitely help. Check out the book 'Meditation as Medicine'.
July 29, 2009 - 2:28pmI have been taking synthriod for 2 years .i read a book tilted The Complete Thyroid Book
July 2, 2009 - 5:28pmBy Kenneth Ain ,M.D. .I found it very informative about all issues of thyroid and thyroid medications and treatment.
I understand the four hour spacing after medication for iron and calcium is in regards to supplements - not foods. So foods, regardless of what vitamins and/or nutrients they contain, should be spaced at least one hour apart; supplements should be spaced at least four hours apart. Hope that makes sense.
BTW: Please ignore the response from May 7, 2009 – 9:30am. It’s only a promo for a website that’s filled with inaccurate and misleading thyroid information. What the person wrote is proof of that.
July 6, 2009 - 4:38amThanks so much. Are you also taking Synthroid? Has it been working for you? I have only started it recently and am not sure about a few things yet... such as when to take the pill when I have to go to blood test for TSH in the morning. Should I take it after the test or before? Does it matter at all?
July 6, 2009 - 5:28amBut we shall see. I much appreciate your comment and concern.
Mrs. Pari