How to Take Synthroid

It is important to take Synthroid as prescribed — the right way every day

Take your Synthroid once a day at the same time each day. This helps keep your thyroxine level balanced. Click here for tips on remembering to take your Synthroid every day.

Take Synthroid on an empty stomach. This means taking it 30 to 60 minutes before eating breakfast. Some people find it helpful to take Synthroid first thing in the morning when they wake up.

Take your daily dose of Synthroid at least 4 hours apart from taking any other medicines, supplements, or foods that may interact with Synthroid.

• A number of drugs may change the way Synthroid works in your body. Be sure to tell your doctor what other medicines you are taking for any other health conditions
• Walnuts, dietary fiber, antacids, and iron and calcium supplements can decrease the amount of Synthroid your body absorbs

What to do if you miss a dose of Synthroid

If you forget to take a dose at your normal time, take it as soon as you remember. For example, if you always take your Synthroid first thing in the morning and you forget to take it one morning, you can take it on an empty stomach later that day in the afternoon or evening. If you do not remember until the next day, or if you miss more than one dose, call your doctor for advice on what you should do.

Take Synthroid as your doctor prescribed,
even after your hypothyroid symptoms go away

Do not stop taking Synthroid or change the way you take it unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you do not take your pills each day as prescribed, your doctor may not be able to tell if your current Synthroid dose is helping to keep your thyroxine level in balance.

If your doctor prescribed Synthroid even though you had no hypothyroid symptoms, you need to keep taking Synthroid even if you feel fine. Stopping the medicine could lead to other health conditions, such as infertility, problems during pregnancy, and heart disease. It is very important to get follow-up TSH tests to make sure your TSH level is within the target range.

Remember the right dose of Synthroid can help keep your thyroid in balance and can help improve your hypothyroid symptoms.

Next >> Dosing information for Synthroid