Well I started taking mine at night and I'll see if I notice any difference. At least after 2 nights I don't. I doubt it but I'm ready to mix things up a bit.

Re the problems sleeping at night...with my 2 85 lb Pit boys and usually at least 4 cats and of course my wife somewhere all trying to fit on a king size bed I already have sleeping problems so I don't think I'll notice a difference with the pill.

So funny how we all take it differently. I was told to take mine on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes prior to eating and to drink lots of water too.

So I usually take mine 30minutes prior to eating but if I wake up starving and in a rush, I don't take it until mid day. I also don't take with lots of water.

I think I may try to switch my time up and try it at night. My symptoms have improved a little but I still run high. Docs won't increase the dosage in fear of me losing more weight from the increase, I'm barely holding down triple digits.

Instructed for A.M. before breakfast, plenty of water also. Dr. increased doseage once. Not sure night would work for me as I take no meds in evening. Been on for four months, new dose for two of that, blood work last week shows now under control. Energy back as well!

Thyroid meds are easily affected by other things you might eat which is why your doctors ask you to take it before food. This means if you have food, it doesn't absorb so well and your blood levels may not be high enough. If you really want to take your meds with breakfast, or at night, it is just a matter of working with your doctor, to ensure your blood levels don't change. If they do, your dose needs adjusting. Simple. The trick is, once you have the routine and the correct blood levels, stick to the routine.

So here is my question: When should I get Alex's thyroid levels checked and how many nuked patients need thyroid meds? He completed radiation at the end of August last year (5 months ago).

An interesting discussion. I too take my generic Synthroid as soon as the 50 pound dog on the bed next to me has decided she (at any rate) has had enough sleep and awakens me. This is typically before 7 a.m. I then wait half an hour or so before eating or drinking anything else as per the instructions on the bottle.

Last blood test my doc said my TSH levels were too high so he told me to double the Synth from 25 mcg to 50. I'll be rechecking blood next week so we'll see if that does the trick. I'll ask him about the time of day issue then too.

On a side note, when I asked my GI doc what I should put in my stomach first thing in the morning here was his answer: "Anything but coffee".

d2

Karen, if one is aware of the need, the recommendation would have been to det the thyroid "baseline" prior to radiation, so that you know what your normal is after radiation. It appears from discussions on the forum that most doctors don't suggest this so you have to ask for it. I on the other hand was already on synthroid prior to my cancer.

I pose a different question...has anyone else had their thyroid "zapped" with radioactive iodine, and then diagnoised with oral cancer. I will always wonder if their was a connection and I know I will never really know the answer but it does make me wonder if their was a connection.

Sharon

From what I hear most people that have had radiation even if it wasn't on their head and neck area have thyroid issues. I have a friend who had radiation for cancer and she is on thyroid meds. My RO worked with my general dr I think to get blood work done to check my level sometime after radiation was over. It is a simple blood test that you can request be done.

I had radiation and do not have thyroid problems. I wouldnt agree with most patients having that problem. Sure it affects some but not most. Just like trismus, it affects some but not most. Seems we all end up having out own unique set of after effects. Just like the side effects, we all had varying degrees of issues. How I wish there was an easier cure for oral cancer! Something that wouldnt involve so much suffering and long lasting effects.

Everything that I have read and heard is that most people will have some issues. But I have also read that some people the issues won't show up until years after the treatment is over. I am glad to hear that you don't have any issues and pray that it continues that way. I wish that there was an easier way too.

Finally, a nasty side effect or terrible consequence of this cancer that Christine does not have. Yea! I'm am so glad to hear your thyroid works (I can't say "like a charm" since mine doesn't). As Brian and others have pointed out, it depends on the path of the radiation. RO's try to avoid the thyroid but it can't always be helped, especially for base of tongue tumors.

I'm glad to see this thread. I think that thyroid medications can and should be taken at night, on an empty stomach, for the majority of patients and that the warnings and advice against that are not based on science nor statistically significant studies. I am so glad my endocrinologist is young and open minded: as she says: It's hard to argue with the facts of blood tests. She readily admitted her morning advice was based on med school and that no one in her class challenged this "wisdom" nor does she recall seeing any studies in her journals actually documenting the validity of morning doses, only some studies questioning it and the ones I listed discrediting it.
Charm