A healthcare professional may prescribe levothyroxine to help manage a condition called hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid. Taking levothyroxine can help return your thyroid hormone levels to a healthy range.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), which is essential for thyroid function. Your body changes it into the active thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), also necessary for the thyroid to do its work.
Can you take levothyroxine with coffee?
It may be a good idea not to take levothyroxine with coffee. The reason for this is that certain foods, drinks, and supplements may affect your body’s ability to properly absorb the medication. This can make the treatment less effective.
According to a 2017 research review, as well as a small 2022 study, coffee is one of the substances that’s been found to reduce the absorption of levothyroxine if you drink it too close to the time that you take the medication.
A different 2017 review found that of the many nutrition options that may reduce levothyroxine’s absorption, coffee, and soybeans top the list. A review from 2021 supports these findings, noting that the following interfere with levothyroxine absorption:
- coffee
- fiber
- soy products
- calcium
- iron supplements
Need a refill for levothyroxine (Synthroid)? You may be able to get an online prescription through Optum Perks in as little as 15 minutes. Learn more here.
How soon can you drink coffee after taking levothyroxine?
A small 2022 study on the effects of tea and coffee on levothyroxine found that drinking either within 1 hour of taking levothyroxine may reduce its absorption.
Based on this finding, it’s a good idea to wait at least 60 minutes to drink coffee after taking a dose of levothyroxine. This may help your body to absorb the medication properly.
Research on whether decaffeinated tea and coffee also affect levothyroxine absorption is limited.
Can you drink caffeine if you have an underactive thyroid?
Research doesn’t show that people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) need to avoid coffee or caffeine, but it doesn’t support its consumption either.
A 2023 study found that coffee may be safe for thyroid function and might even reduce the risk of developing hypothyroidism. However, the researchers explained that more studies are necessary to understand how caffeine or coffee might affect the thyroid.
If you have hypothyroidism, check with your doctor to determine if it’s safe for you to drink coffee and, if so, what your daily limit should be.
How to improve levothyroxine absorption
To ensure that your body absorbs levothyroxine properly, this 2021 review suggests:
- Timing: Try taking your medication at least 1 hour before breakfast or before drinking coffee or tea, or take it before bed, at least 3 hours after a meal. For tailored recommendations, talk with your prescribing doctor or healthcare professional.
- Form: Levothyroxine is available in several forms, including tablets, oral liquid, and softgel capsules. Your body may absorb the oral liquid best, followed by the softgel capsules. Your doctor may recommend one form of levothyroxine for you over the others depending on factors like your lifestyle habits and overall health.
- Empty stomach: Food may reduce how quickly and how much levothyroxine your body absorbs. This, in turn, may affect how well the treatment works for you. It may be a good idea to avoid consuming food for at least 30 to 60 minutes after taking levothyroxine. Your doctor may also recommend you take the medication on an empty stomach in the mornings.
- Certain supplements: Fiber, calcium, iron, aluminum, and chromium supplements may affect how well your body absorbs levothyroxine. Ask your healthcare professional about the timing of these supplements so that it doesn’t interfere with levothyroxine absorption.
- Vitamin C: Supplementing with vitamin C may improve levothyroxine absorption, but more research is needed to confirm this.
If you need help covering the cost of thyroid medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardCan you take levothyroxine with triiodothyronine?
Your body transforms levothyroxine, the synthetic form of thyroxine (T4), into triiodothyronine (T3). Depending on your health needs, you can also take a synthetic version of T3 called liothyronine.
The American Thyroid Association explains that while you can take synthetic T3 and synthetic T4 together, it’s not a common practice.
T3 has a short lifespan in the body, so to keep levels high, you’d need to take it several times per day. Also, T3 levels may rise too high shortly after taking it, which may cause symptoms like a rapid heart rate and anxiety.
On the other hand, taking T4 leads to steady blood levels, and you only need to take it once per day. Your body can convert T4 into T3 as necessary, even if your thyroid gland doesn’t work as it should.
Brand names for these thyroid medications include:
- Synthetic thyroxine/T4 (levothyroxine):
- tablets: Euthyrox, Levoxyl, Synthroid
- oral liquid: Tirosint-SOL
- soft gel capsules: Tirosint
- intravenous: Synthroid
- Synthetic triiodothyronine/T3 (liothyronine):
Summary
Research suggests that drinking coffee too close to the time that you take levothyroxine may reduce the absorption of the medication. This may make the treatment less effective. The same goes for caffeinated tea. Research on the effects of decaffeinated tea and coffee is still limited.
It may be a good idea to wait at least 60 minutes after taking levothyroxine before drinking coffee or caffeinated tea. Alternatively, you can take the medication at night before bed.
Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re unsure about when to take levothyroxine and how soon you can drink coffee after taking your medication. Always follow their recommendations.