Levothyroxine + Contraceptive?

Hi all,

Today I got my first ever prescription for Levothyroxine, I'm on a trial run because I'm borderline hypothyroid.

I forgot to ask my doc because with all the info he was giving me I was a little overwhelmed and I'm not sure whether I should stop my contraceptive pill while I'm on levothyroxine because it might interfere with the thyroid hormone.

Is this true and what should I do? It's almost impossible to get an appointment these days so I can't really go back and ask him, I've been desperate for these tablets for ages and want to take them ASAP but don't want to stop taking the pill if i can help it as I have been on it nearly 3 years with only one break and I try not to skip them if I can help it.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated x

Hey.

I'm on levothyroxine as well as an oral contraceptive. You are fine to take both. The BC shouldn't interfere with the levo.

However, it is recommended that you take the levo first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with lots of water.

I always take my BC at night, so I am taking them at opposite times, just in case. :)

edit: I know that's not professional advice, but I've been on the levothyroxine since I was 12 and have been taking the oral contraceptive since I was 16. So my Doctor prescribed my BC after I was already on the levothyroxine (then called synthroid)....hopefully that helps ease some of your worries. Also, my thyroid levels have been "normal" since I've been on the levothyroxine, even though I'm also on 'the pill'.  

Thanks for your quick response it was really helpful! I think I might do the same timing wise! :)  At least now I can concentrate on taking my tablets and losing the weight at last... fingers crossed!

I actually take my levothyroxine and BC at the same time, at night, and its fine!  (You're supposed to wait like an hour before eating anything after you take it and you can't eat anything about 2 hours before you take it, so night works best for me)  The only thing to watch out for is multivitamins or any other calcium containing supplement since calcium can interfere with the levoxythroxine, so those should be taken far apart. 

The only time you  need to worry about BC with your tablets is if you go off BC or get pregnant or anything of that nature because it can affect you thyroid hormone levels and your medication may need to be adjusted.  (this is all info from my doctor, I've asked the same questions).  Good luck!

Actually, the Estrogen from contraceptive pills reduces the body's ability to absorb the thyroid hormone. However, this is only an issue if you take the two medicines at the same time. You *must* take them at least a few hours apart. Believe me, I know this because I decided to save time and take both at the same time and I could immediately tell. You can also do a Google search and find this same info. So right now I take the Levothyroxin first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and BC in the evening, at the same time each day.

Original Post by luthien_j:

Hi all,

Today I got my first ever prescription for Levothyroxine, I'm on a trial run because I'm borderline hypothyroid.

I forgot to ask my doc because with all the info he was giving me I was a little overwhelmed and I'm not sure whether I should stop my contraceptive pill while I'm on levothyroxine because it might interfere with the thyroid hormone.

Is this true and what should I do? It's almost impossible to get an appointment these days so I can't really go back and ask him, I've been desperate for these tablets for ages and want to take them ASAP but don't want to stop taking the pill if i can help it as I have been on it nearly 3 years with only one break and I try not to skip them if I can help it.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated x

Is just fine just take levothyroxin on an empty stomach.  Also, you don't need an appt for something like that, just call the office nurse they will get back to you on that.