AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question Due to tumors, I had surgery October 16, 2007 and was given a prescription for levothyroxine SOD 2MG. I'm not much of a pill taker and haven't taken the pill every day. In fact, once a week is more likely. I have put on a lot of weight -- about 25 pounds. I was talking to a friend yesterday and she takes a supplement for low thyroid and her doctor told her to take the pill on an empty stomach one hour prior to eating. She has lost weight -- about 30 pounds. I was given no instructions except one pill once a day. I vow to do better, but tell me -- is there specific instructions on how to take this pill? Should I also take this pill on an empty stomach one hour prior to eating breakfast? ETC? Any help you can give me will be helpfull.
P.S.: I did have my primary care phy's P.A. test my blood for thyroid level and she tells me it's ok.
Answer Hi,Mary!
I'm glad to hear that your thyroid test is normal. If you are taking the thyroid once a week, I would let your doctor know. If a once-a-week dose is working for you, he probably won't change it,but if you start taking it daily,it will be too high of a dose. In any case, the doctor's office needs to make a note of that.
Levothyroxine( and most other thyroid pills) should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1/2 hr before eating. It doesn't matter what time of day you take it,but you need to be consistant about the time.
Some nursing facilities I consult at have their residents take it at 4P. So, you don't have to take it before a meal,just make sure it's on an empty stomach.
Thyroid supplements don't contribute to weight loss unless the person is very hypothyroid. What usually happens when they start thyroid supplements is they may lose weight until they are euthyroid( when they thyroid hormones are normalized).
Hope this helps, Mary
