Thyroxine for thyroid: do not take hormone with calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc

Created: 05.12.2022, 20:30

By: Natalie Hull Drawbar

If some patients find it difficult to adjust to a stable thyroxine dose, possible interactions with mineral water and dietary supplements should also be considered.

Anyone diagnosed with a thyroid disorder such as hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's is usually treated with the hormone thyroxine in tablet form.

If the patient is well controlled with medication, complaints and symptoms can usually be alleviated.

However, there are various other medications such as birth control pills or food such as coffee that can affect the effectiveness of the thyroxine tablets.

Even some types of mineral water and dietary supplements with magnesium, iron and zinc as well as preparations against heartburn can reduce the absorption of thyroxine from the intestine and thus its effectiveness.

Thyroxine for thyroid: Hormone reacts with mineral water, sports drinks and effervescent tablets

It is better not to take Thyroxin with mineral water, rather only with tap water.

(Iconic image) © PheelingsMedi/Imago

Thyroxine as an artificially administered hormone for the treatment of the thyroid gland is one of the most prescribed drugs in Germany and the USA.

Although a study shows that a third of patients who take the thyroid hormone thyroxine due to an underactive thyroid gland could stop taking it in the medium term, the majority of those affected with thyroid disease require long-term therapy.

Only then can symptoms such as fatigue, depression, hair loss and constipation be reduced or prevented altogether.

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When taking their thyroxine tablets, patients with a thyroid disorder should always be aware of possible interactions with other agents that can prevent the absorption of the artificial thyroid hormones.

This includes certain minerals.

, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), aluminum (Al3+), zinc (Zn2+) and iron (Fe2+/3+) are

not only found in over-the-counter, gastric acid-binding medicines for heartburn (aluminium hydroxide or antacids), but also contained in mineral water with a high calcium content, numerous effervescent tablets, sports drinks, dietary supplements and osteoporosis medication.

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To avoid interactions, there should be a gap of at least two or preferably four hours between taking thyroxine and the minerals.

Since dietary supplements can reduce the hormonal effect of thyroxine (levothyroxine or L-thyroxine) by about 20 percent, it is generally recommended: the daily dose of thyroid hormones in the morning, half an hour before breakfast, swallow on an empty stomach and allow at least two hours to pass before taking minerals be taken.

It is safest, for example, if you swallow thyroxine in the morning and supplements such as iron and zinc capsules in the evening.

Thyroxine for thyroid: hormone interacts with calcium and magnesium

There is a risk of interaction with minerals such as calcium and magnesium, so it is best to take your Thyroxine tablets with a glass of tap water rather than mineral water or milk.

Both minerals are contained in milk, effervescent tablets and some types of mineral water and influence the effect of L-thyroxine.

Calcium salts are also often prescribed for osteoporosis prophylaxis.

To avoid an interaction, you can take Thyroxine in the morning - about 30 minutes before breakfast - and then the calcium and magnesium with lunch and/or dinner.

Calcium and magnesium do not interfere with each other.

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Thyroxine for Thyroid: Do not take hormone with iron supplements

In the case of iron deficiency, iron supplements are often recommended and prescribed, especially during or towards the end of pregnancy, as the

summarizes.

Iron supplements should be taken about 30 minutes before breakfast or dinner, or between meals.

If L-thyroxine is fed into the body at the same time as iron sulfate, an interaction between the two can lead to a reduced effect of the thyroid hormone.

Both iron-containing drugs and L-thyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach.

Thyroxine for the thyroid gland: Do not take the hormone at the same time as zinc for a cold

Zinc is commonly taken to boost the immune system, treat colds, and support healthy skin and hair.

However, zinc preparations should not be combined with thyroxine either, as they inhibit the effect of the thyroid hormone.

It is advisable to take zinc at lunchtime or in the evening about 30 minutes before eating, at least two hours after taking thyroxine in the morning, for example.

Thyroxine for thyroid: Avoid heartburn medicines that contain aluminum

Aluminum-containing antacids, such as aluminum hydroxide, are prescribed for heartburn, for example.

Simultaneously taking thyroxine and antacids (aluminum) leads to reduced bioavailability of thyroxine.

Thyroxine should generally be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach.

If you suffer from heartburn, wait at least two hours after meals before taking the gastric acid-binding preparations.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

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