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The drug used to treat hypothyroidism should be taken not only on an empty stomach, but at least half an hour before morning coffee – such recommendations are provided by endocrinologists to all patients who take the preparation. Meanwhile, the latest research indicates that a cup of coffee has no effect on the absorption quality of the preparation.
- Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces less hormones than the body needs
- Guidelines for treatment with levothyroxine (LT4), e.g. in Hashimoto’s disease, say that you should drink coffee at least half an hour before taking the drug or wait, for example, two hours after drinking it.
- However, new research suggests that drinking coffee does not affect the absorption of this drug
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Latest research – coffee neutral to levothyroxine
A recent study by Vertice Pharma – the manufacturer of an oral solution of levothyroxine (LT4), which is a synthetic equivalent of the natural thyroxine (T4) hormone produced by the thyroid gland – has shown that coffee does not interfere with its absorption. Forty healthy adult volunteers were given an oral dose of 600 μg of the solution on an empty stomach or five minutes before consuming an 8 oz. Cup of americano coffee (without milk or sweeteners). The researchers then tested the blood of these people to see how the thyroid gland behaves for 48 hours after administration of the drug.
Kris Washington, PharmD, medical director of Vertice Pharma at Berkeley, noted that the doctors’ recommendations to date have been burdensome, frustrating them, and making it difficult for them to regulate their thyroid hormone levels.
What is it about? The prescribing doctor advised the patient to take it on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating a meal or drinking anything. It has now been found that coffee does not reduce the effect of the drug and no interval is necessary.
- Try decaffeinated dandelion root coffee, which is an excellent coffee substitute.
Thyroid gland – a small but important organ
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. Although so small, it influences, inter alia, on fertility, heart, hair, mood, sleep, weight, joints, menstrual cycle. Responsible for the production of hormones under the influence of TSH produced by the pituitary gland. Most of the production, i.e. 85%, is concentrated on natyroxine (T4), and much less on triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin. The most common diseases of the thyroid gland are: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease.
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