The Best Way to Take Your Thyroid Medication

Updated: August 27, 2020

Lara Pizzorno is the author of “Your Bones: How You Can Prevent Osteoporosis and Have Strong Bones for Life – Naturally” and a member of the American Medical Writers Association with 29 years of experience specializing in bone health.

Recently we asked Lara if she would help us provide a series of short, ongoing videos to help you (our customers and readers) stay up to date on the latest facts and science related to bone health.

In this latest video, Lara discusses whether or not you can take a thyroid medication and strontium supplement at the same time (of day). Watch the video below (or read the transcript provided) and let us know what you think in the comments. 🙂


Sources:

Drug interactions between L Thyroxine Roche and strontium-89 chloride http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/l-thyroxine-roche-with-strontium-89-chloride-1463-3516-2115-0.html

American Thyroid Association:  http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment/

Cappelli C, Pirola I, Gandossi E, et al. treatment at breakfast: a mistake? Eur J Endocrinol. 2013 Nov 22;170(1):95-9. doi: 10.1530/EJE-13-0693. Print 2014 Jan. PMID: 24123095

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  1. Ricki

    July 1, 2016 , 9:48 am

    Very helpful – excellent information, clear explanation. Thanks.

  2. Linda Russell

    August 3, 2017 , 8:09 am

    Thank you was not aware of drinking black coffee with my thyroid would be harmful.

  3. Karin

    August 29, 2021 , 12:28 pm

    What’s this comment about not drinking coffee with thyroid medication in the morning? Is there any truth to that?
    Thanks!

  4. Ishneet AlgaeCal

    September 3, 2021 , 2:41 pm

    Hi Karin!

    In some studies it was found that coffee reduced the body’s absorption of thyroid medications by about 30%. That’s why experts recommend that you wait at least 60 minutes after drinking coffee to take your thyroid replacement medication. After taking your thyroid medication, you should also wait at least an hour before drinking coffee. Here is a very interesting article explaining how coffee interferes with the thyroid medication. Hope this information helps.

    Let us know if you have any questions! 🙂

    -Ishneet @ AlgaeCal

  5. Grace from Australia

    August 11, 2017 , 9:20 pm

    I don’t take Thyroid meds but have Thyroid Nodules. Can Strontium Citrate affect this condition negatively?

  6. Monica

    August 14, 2017 , 8:26 am

    Hi Grace,

    While Strontium Citrate is not likely to affect this condition, it is best to discuss with your doctor.

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  7. Georgia Smith

    September 2, 2020 , 6:34 am

    How far apart in hours should you take thyroid meds and calcium.?

  8. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 6, 2020 , 1:08 pm

    Hi Georgia!

    If you’re taking AlgaeCal, we recommend a 4+ hour separation from thyroid medications.

    In saying that, do check in with your doctor before starting new supplements and feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 for more information. 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  9. Diane

    April 7, 2021 , 8:21 pm

    Can you take AlgaeCal and Strontium at the same time? I take thyroid medication upon waking and know to space four hours from Algae Cal. Wanted to take Strontium with AlgaeCal if possible? Thanks!

  10. Megan AlgaeCal

    April 8, 2021 , 3:11 pm

    Hi Diane, thanks for reaching out!

    Strontium Boost needs to be taken at least 2 hours apart from AlgaeCal Plus because calcium and strontium use the same absorption pathway. If taken too closely together they will compete for absorption (with your body preferentially absorbing calcium)!

    A possible schedule is to take your first AlgaeCal dose with breakfast or lunch, the second dose at dinner, and your Strontium Boost before bedtime.

    For more help with scheduling, feel free to reach out to our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184. They’re available 6am-4pm PST, seven days a week, and always happy to help 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  11. Nancy Gordon

    November 19, 2021 , 8:05 am

    an Strontium be taken with thyroid meds, T4 and T3? Or how long should we wait after taking thyroid meds to take Strontium? I know to wait. 3-4 hours to take Calcium. How is Strontium different?

  12. Ishneet AlgaeCal

    December 1, 2021 , 11:51 am

    Hi Nancy!

    Thanks for reaching out! The minerals can affect the absorption of your thyroid meds so our suggestion is to have at least a 4 hour separation from both AlgaeCal and Strontium boost. We also always recommend reviewing any medication and supplement schedule with your doctor or pharmacist. Please feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 for more information. ?

    -Ishneet @ AlgaeCal

This article features advice from our industry experts to give you the best possible info through cutting-edge research.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Loren Fishman
MD, B.Phil.,(oxon.) - Medical Director of Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Founder of the Yoga Injury Prevention Website.,
Prof. Didier Hans
PHD, MBA - Head of Research & Development Center of Bone Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland,