Question 1

does coffee really interfere with thyroid medication absorption?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, a recent study done by an italian group and published in thyroid journal showed up to 35% reduction in thyroid level absorption if thyroxine was taken with coffee.

Question 2

i drink coffee in morning can that affect my thyroid medication? i also take metformin, could that affect absorption?

Accepted Answer

Wait for an hour: If you drink black coffee, it shouldn't change your levothyroxine absorption.  If you put cream or sugar in it, you should try to wait about an hour after taking you medication.  You also ideally would want to wait to take your metformin separately as well.

Question 3

is it possible that decaffeinated coffee have bad side effects?

Accepted Answer

Yes even: decaffeinated coffee can have side effects. But were there particular side effects you were concerned about?

Question 4

can caffeine interfere with conceiving?  and if so is decaffeinated coffee a better option?

Accepted Answer

See below: Yes caffeine can interfere with conception and has been associated with miscarriage with high amounts.   Drink no more than 1 to 11/2  8oz cups a day.  You can drink decaff, but beware that it does have small amounts of caffeine.

Question 5

i ordered decaffeinated coffee, but later found out it was regular. is there something i can do to offset the caffeinated affects?

Accepted Answer

Calming teas: Chamomile tea can be calming and reduce the effect of caffeine. So can passionflower or lemon balm tea. 
You should also sit or lie down and take several slow, deep, intentional breaths to help calm you as well.

Question 6

does eating beans such as black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas interfere with absorption of thyroid medication if eaten at least 6 hours after taking medication. i eat them for lunch and dinner multiple days a week as i dont eat meat. ?

Accepted Answer

Take hormone alone: Good afternoon,
Vitamin supplements, some prescription medications and food can decrease absorption thyroid hormone absorption but 6 hrs as you describe should be fine. It’s recommended that thyroid hormone be taken by itself, with no food or other medications on an empty stomach. 
https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-hormone-treatment/
Be well,
Dr. Wood

Best regards, be well.

Dr. Wood

Question 7

does coffee affect thyroid medication?

Accepted Answer

Cofee: Very simply - NO! - but as always, too much of a good thing is not OK.

Question 8

i took two pills (65mg) instead of one of ferrous sulfate on accident. i had some coffee, as i heard that can reduce iron absorption. should i be concerned about overdose? what should i do in the mean time?

Accepted Answer

: One time dosing at that level may give you abdominal discomfort but little else. The body selectively absorbs only what it wants and the rest passes trough. I wouldn't worry about it, but don't make it a habit.

Question 9

do tea, coffee, wine, cacao and whole grains really inhibit the absorption of iron?

Accepted Answer

True, but reversible: Calcium which is found in dairy, sardines, canned salmon, tofu, broccoli, almonds, figs, turnip greens and rhubarb is the only compound that blocks Iron absorption. Avoid taking Iron within 2 hours of Calcium rich foods. Phytates, which are found in most plant foods, can reduce iron absorption by up to 80%. But vitamin C—consumed along with a meal--can counteract that effect.

Question 10

if coffee inhibits iron absorption, how long should i wait to take iron and vit c supplements or do i need to abstain from coffee?

Accepted Answer

Iron deficiency : If you have a poor iron status or are at high risk of iron deficiency,  it would be prudent to avoid drinking both coffee and tea specially with meals. Regarding how long to take iron, this depends on your haemoglobin level and it is better to consult a hematologist if you have iron deficiency.

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Doctor answers about:

Does decaffeinated coffee affect the absorption of thyroid medication

A member asked:

Does coffee really interfere with thyroid medication absorption?

A member asked:

I drink coffee in morning can that affect my thyroid medication? i also take metformin, could that affect absorption?

A member asked:

Is it possible that decaffeinated coffee have bad side effects?

A member asked:

Can caffeine interfere with conceiving? and if so is decaffeinated coffee a better option?

A member asked:

I ordered decaffeinated coffee, but later found out it was regular. is there something i can do to offset the caffeinated affects?

A member asked:

Does eating beans such as black beans, kidney beans and chickpeas interfere with absorption of thyroid medication if eaten at least 6 hours after taking medication. i eat them for lunch and dinner multiple days a week as i dont eat meat. ?

A member asked:

Does coffee affect thyroid medication?

A member asked:

I took two pills (65mg) instead of one of ferrous sulfate on accident. i had some coffee, as i heard that can reduce iron absorption. should i be concerned about overdose? what should i do in the mean time?

A member asked:

Do tea, coffee, wine, cacao and whole grains really inhibit the absorption of iron?

A member asked:

If coffee inhibits iron absorption, how long should i wait to take iron and vit c supplements or do i need to abstain from coffee?

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