I noticed the prescription bottle now says 1/2 hour before eating and take with a full glass of water. It used to just say 1/2-1 hour before or 2 hours after. I have one number that bounces around some but the rest are stable so my dose hasn’t changed. Dr. goes a lot on symptoms and how I feel.
Do not take calcium at the same time you take thyroid meds. Calcium interferes with the absorption of the thyroid meds. I do thyroid meds in morning, calcium in evening.
My doc is always asking me how I feel, and I always feel fine. Then it turns out I’m totally over or under the ideal. So, go figure.
Well you’re just not sufficiently in touch with yourself. I suggest a spa or a Caribbean vacation to rectify that.
^^^I wish there were a “love” button!
I’m more sensitive to my thyroid meds than my dr believes. I can tell you when I’m over and under and I notice within a few days of a change to my prescription.
Since I’m taking it at night I try and not eat 2 hours before I go to bed - which certainly helps with heartburn and nighttime eating.
“I noticed the prescription bottle now says 1/2 hour before eating and take with a full glass of water. It used to just say 1/2-1 hour before or 2 hours after.”
The online research I did said that “some brands” of levothyroxine need to be taken with a full glass of water. Not clear if that meant Synthroid or the generic. Then the website for Synthroid says this: “Take SYNTHROID as a single dose, preferably on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast.” Nothing about the amount of water.
Hmm, silly me. Just looked at the pill jar again and see there is an extra sticker on the side that says that it should be taken with “Plenty of water” (isn’t that scientific?!) and “preferably 1/2 to 1 hour before breakfast,” again, not too precise. I hate water.
I always take Synthroid with a cup of water then wait at least half an hour before eating or drinking anything except water. That’s how I was told to do it (I’m such a rule follower). No problem waiting to eat. But waiting on coffee? I know this is not a big deal, but sometimes I feel really sorry for myself having to wait for coffee. 
There are so many reasons I’m so glad I am not a coffee or tea drinker, and taking thyroid meds in the morning is one of them.
Barfly - me too! Coffee is why I get out of bed in the morning.
For almost 40 years, I have taken my thyroid meds … sometimes Synthroid, sometimes other brands … in the morning. I don’t worry about whether or not I’m eating or drinking coffee. I always drink water in the morning, so that part is covered. I just avoid calcium supplements at the same time, and that’s about it. I assume that if what I am doing or not doing affects it, it is reflected in my levels - I am being consistent, so it’s all good.
@keismom, I have wondered if there would be any difference if I did not wait the recommended time before drinking coffee or eating breakfast. I also wonder if there is a difference for people who simply produce less thyroid hormone than they need and those of us who produce no thyroid hormone due to Hashimoto’s Disease (me) or thyroid cancer. Seems like if you produce some of your own, breaking the rules may not make a difference. But if you produce zero thyroid hormones, you should follow the rules. Thoughts?