Problem not absorbing synthroid - need ideas

I don't have that issue, butmany times ppl take their synthroid with vites that basically cancel it out. It doesn't like iron or calcium.

If you get up at night, you might want to take it then, which automatically isolates it from any potential unfriendlies.

WOW--You learn something new everyday!  I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS would have thought of synthroid malabsorbing.  I think I am pretty good as far as my levels go, but, I think I will give the pill chewing a try.  What could it hurt??   Good luck and I hope these suggestions will resolve you thyroid issues! Hugs

I forgot to mention  that soy products interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicatio.  If you use soy products (soy milk or veggie burgers, etc) you should wait a couple of hours to do so after taking your synthroid. annette

OMG... I had no idea.. that is probably my problem... right there..  I take my pill when I get up.. and then about an hour later I was having a soy protein drink for breakfast.  OMG... I can't say it enough.... 

On the subject of SOY.  Please be careful.  I've been vegetarian most of my life and a heavy consumer of soy.  I am also Hypothyroid.  I read a book, The Thyroid Diet, by Mary Shomon and learned that soy was bad in large quantities, particularly for someone that is hypo.  Sooo.... I cut all soy out of my diet in a bold move.... all of a sudden my body started to fully absord my dosage of levothryoxine and I went from hypo to hyper and wound up in the emergency room.  So please gradually take soy out of your diet and discuss it with your endocrinologist first.  My battle is ongoing and I'm back to being hypo.  I had thyroid cancer and a total thyroidectomy this year and we still can't get my dosage right.  My TSH levels are at 20 and I'm exhausted all the time.  I've tried taking my medication at night and taking it with orange juice which is suppose to help.  Thanks to this board I will now try chewing my medication.   I don't take it with vitamins, calcium or iron and I take it on an empty stomach.  For whatever reason I'm not absorbing it properly and I'm on a large dosage.  Good luck to you!

I thought I was alone with this problem.. but after reading some of the response you have received I am amazed ... I am at an OMG state.. I use soy... all the time.. most of my diet is soy and I had no idea.. the chewing thing... I had thought of but hadn't tried..  just... OMG...  I had my thyroid removed in May.... and my dr says it's like I haven't taken any of the med. This may be the answer.....  OMG>.... Donna

I'm glad you have some answers. I hope soy is your problem so that you can resolve your absorption issue.  I don't eat any soy so I know that this won't be my issue but I'm hoping that that chewing the tablets will resolve my issue. 

Donna, I almost didn't post the soy thing b/c I thought that you probably "hated" soy (many people do ...), but I personally like it.  It can interfere with the absorption ... It's not to say you cannot have soy, but wait a while to injest it.  Many people do not realize that it binds to the thyroid medication and prevents it from absorbing in some people.  Hope that info helps you ...  Annette

Be careful as you try these suggestions because you may get too much synthroid. Watch for signs of overdosage like nervousness, heart palpatations, fast heartbeat etc.

Thanks. I am not planning on doing anything before I discuss it with my endo and my surgeon. It so happens that the surgeon who did my GB also removed my thyroid. Next time I see them I'll bring up the idea of crushing or chewing the pill to see if they agree.  Becky