Many people like to drink a cup of coffee before heading to work or getting the day started.
It affects the absorption of the drug in the intestines and lowers the amount that enters the bloodstream.
Caffeine affects both levothyroxine pills and tablets but not liquid or gel formulations.
Verywell / Melissa Ling
Caffeine also has a mild laxative effect and increases the amount of fluid in stools.
Levothyroxine absorption may also be decreased when taken with black tea, hot cocoa, or caffeinated soft drinks.
What About Other Thyroid Medications?
Other types of thyroid drugs, includingliothyronineandantithyroid drugs, are not affected by caffeine.
Even so, liothyronine should still be taken on an empty stomach.
Tirosint is a soft gel form of levothyroxine, and Tirosint-Sol is the liquid form.
These medications are absorbed more rapidly than the standard formulations.
For these people, it is perfectly reasonable to take your levothyroxine dose at night just before bedtime.
Another possible solution is to drink decaffeinated coffee.
Compared to caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee doesn’t speed up gut motility as much.
Speak with your healthcare provider to see if Tirosint or Tirosint-Sol may be a reasonable option.
Should You Switch Medications?
This can cause your T4 hormone levels to drop or fluctuate.
2019;11(2).
doi:10.3390/nu11020416
American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism.
Benvenga S, Bartolone L, Pappalardo MA, et al.Altered intestinal absorption of L-thyroxine due to coffee.Thyroid.
