Please provide some do's and don'ts on living with hypothyroidism.

Ignore: It's best to take it on an empty stomach. But that can be before bed. Don't vary time of day.

Ignore: If you develop any symptoms of hypothyroidism , please see your doctor to adjust medications.

Ignore: Thyroid medication MUST be taken first in the morning. Do not eat or take other meds for one hour.

Do: Do use brand drugs. Generics vary 20% high or low and are called equivalent . It is the regulater!!

Take: Take your medicine on an empty stomach for better absorption.

Ignore: Make sure you are on proper dosing of thyroid replacement, and have your TSH followed by your doctor.

Ignore: Add ocean fish, small amounts of iodized salts to diet. Regular follow up visits and thyroid tests.

Ignore: DO pursue weight loss but know that it is HARDER for you even when thyroid levels are normal.

Ignore: If you are taking levothyroxine be careful not to take it with mineral supplementation.

A: A healthy diet can help reduce symptoms of hypothyroidism and improve your health.

People: People with hypothyroidism should consider minimizing their intake of gluten.

Fats: Fats have been found to disrupt the body's ability to absorb thyroid hormone replacement meds.

Processed: Processed foods tend to have a lot of sodium, and people with hypothyroidism should avoid sodium.

Avoid: Avoid caffeine. Caffeine has been found to block absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.

Wait: Wait at least 30 minutes after taking your medication before having a cup of caffeinated coffee.

Get: Get regular testing of the TSH to monitor your condition and treatment.

All: All of your medications should be monitored carefully by your doctor and pharmacist.

Never: Never stop taking your thyroid medication without your doctor's input.

If: If you don't feel that your medication is managing your symptoms well enough, talk to your doctor.

Eat: Eat small meals, more often. Because hypothyroidism has been linked to insulin resistance.

Get: Get active! Low-impact exercise is easy on the joints and improves your general health.

It's: It's always important to have the right doctor, and get on the right treatments.

One: One aspect of living well with any chronic disease is surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Encourage: Encourage your friend, partner or spouse to go to the doctor with you.

Ignore: Most Dr's recommend taking med in AM on empty stomach...works just as we'll to take at bedtime.

Ignore: Check your TSH test eveery 3 months. As your hypothyroidism improves (it should!), it will go down.

Ignore: Do find a doctor that is willing to do appropriate tests and use NDT when necessary.

Ignore: Never assume you are cured because you feel better and stop taking your meds. I see this often.

Ignore: There are no "dont's" for hypothyroidism. Surely the doctor who made that diagnosis is treating you.

Ignore: You should always take your thyroid pill without any other medications on an empty stomach.

Ignore: DO: take your thyroid hormone and maintain normal thyroid labs. DON'T: blame everything on thyroid.

Ignore: TSH should be between 1-2. When it is your symptoms are not related to thyroid they are related to your autoimmune disease.

Take: Take thyroid medication on an empty stomach. If possible take the same brand every time refilled!

Ignore: Take your vitamins and supplements at least 4 hours away from Thyroid hormone .

Ignore: Be certain diagnosis is based on more that one episode of testing. That is always repeat tests once.

Ignore: Beware of Vitamin- and Mineral Supplements as they prevent levothyroxine from getting resorbed.

Ignore: Take levothyroxine on empty stomach with water. Wait at least 1/2 hour before eating food.

Ignore: Take your thyroid hormone medication on an empty stomach, daily, and have periodic monitoring labs.