Do Beet Supplements Interact With Levothyroxine?

Answer

Thank you for your question about the potential interaction between beet (specifically beet juice) and levothyroxine. I'm happy to provide some information on this topic!

Our own drug-supplement interaction checker does not list any specific interaction between beets and levothyroxine. You can find more details about this on our website: Beet - Levothyroxine Interaction Details | HelloPharmacist.

However, it's important to understand that levothyroxine has special administration requirements. Generally, it's recommended to take levothyroxine by itself, first thing in the morning, separated from food, supplements and other drugs by at least 30 to 60 minutes.

This recommendation is in place because even small changes in the absorption of levothyroxine can significantly affect thyroid hormone levels in the body.

The FDA approved prescribing information for Synthroid (a brand name for levothyroxine) specifically states:

Administer once daily, preferably on an empty stomach, one-half to one hour before breakfast

While beets (and beet juice) aren't known to significantly affect levothyroxine absorption or interact with it in other ways, it's still important to separate them by at least the recommended 30 to 60 minutes. This precaution helps avoid any potential changes in absorption, even though no specific interactions have been reported in clinical studies.

Final Thoughts

Overall, while there's no known direct interaction between beets and levothyroxine, it's best to follow the general guidelines for taking levothyroxine. This means taking it on an empty stomach and waiting at least 30-60 minutes before consuming any food, including beets and beet juice. 

Thank you again for reaching out to us. If you have any further concerns or questions about medication interactions, please don't hesitate to ask!