Do Beet Supplements Interact With Levothyroxine?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the combination of beet and levothyroxine.
Is there an interaction between levothyroxine (for thyroid) and beet juice? I take levothyroxine at 6:00 AM and 2 oz of beet juice at 6:30 AM.
Aug 06, 2024- No direct interaction between beet supplements and levothyroxine has been reported in clinical studies.
- Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, separated from food and supplements by at least 30 to 60 minutes to ensure proper absorption.
- Even though beets don't significantly affect levothyroxine, it's still best to follow these spacing guidelines as a precaution.
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!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Levothyroxine
- A synthetic thyroid hormone medication used to treat thyroid conditions by replacing or supplementing the body's natural thyroid hormone.
- Absorption
- The process by which a medication or nutrient passes from the digestive system into the bloodstream to be used by the body.
- Thyroid hormone
- A chemical produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism and other important body functions.
- Interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two substances, such as a medication and a food or supplement, affect each other's action in the body.
- FDA approved
- Officially reviewed and authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe and effective for use.
- Prescribing information
- Official instructions provided by a drug manufacturer that detail how a medication should be used, including dosage and administration guidelines.
- Synthroid
- A brand name (commercial product name) for the generic medication levothyroxine.
- Empty stomach
- A state when no food or beverages have been consumed for a period of time, allowing medication to be absorbed without interference from food.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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