Is Rhodiola Safe To Take With Thyroid Medications?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the safety of combining thyroid medication with rhodiola.
Can I take rhodiola rosea 400 mg if I also take 30 mg of Armour Thyroid?
May 21, 2026- There is no documented interaction between rhodiola and thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid.
- Thyroid medications are sensitive to absorption, so it's best to take them alone in the morning with water, separated from other supplements and medications by at least 30 minutes.
- To be cautious, take rhodiola later in the day rather than at the same time as your thyroid medication, and contact your doctor if you notice symptoms like anxiety, heart palpitations, or changes in heart rate after starting rhodiola.
Hello, and thanks for reaching out!
There is no known documented interaction between rhodiola and desiccated thyroid medications such as Armour Thyroid. We also have an interaction page on HelloPharmacist (Rhodiola - Desiccated Thyroid Extract Interaction Details | HelloPharmacist) for this combination, and no interaction is currently documented.
That said, rhodiola can interact with certain medications, so it is still worth taking some caution depending on what else you take (or are considering taking). Potential interactions include:
- Antidepressants: Rhodiola may theoretically increase the risk of side effects when taken with certain antidepressants.
- Diabetes medications: Rhodiola may lower blood sugar, which could increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with diabetes medications.
- Blood pressure medications: Rhodiola may lower blood pressure, which could increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure when combined with antihypertensive medications.
- Sedatives or CNS depressants: Rhodiola may increase the risk of sedation or other nervous system-related side effects when combined with certain sedating medications.
- Losartan: Rhodiola may affect losartan metabolism and could potentially increase losartan levels or side effects.
- Immunosuppressants: Rhodiola may have immune-stimulating effects, so it should be used cautiously with immunosuppressive therapy.
If you are interested in learning more about these, check out our page on rhodiola (Rhodiola herbal information | HelloPharmacist)
Additional Information
Going back to thyroid medication specifically, as mentioned, there does not appear to be a documented interaction with rhodiola. However, thyroid medications are very sensitive to absorption issues, so it is important to take them exactly as directed.
In general, thyroid medications are best taken by themselves in the morning with water, separated from food, drinks, supplements, and other medications by at least 30 minutes unless your healthcare provider has instructed otherwise. To be cautious, you may want to take rhodiola later in the day rather than at the same time as your thyroid medication.
If you have thyroid levels that are difficult to control, or if you notice symptoms such as increased anxiety, palpitations, shakiness, fatigue, or changes in heart rate after starting rhodiola, it would be best to check with your healthcare provider.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Desiccated thyroid
- Thyroid hormone medication made from dried animal thyroid gland tissue.
- Antidepressants
- Medications used to treat depression and certain other mental health conditions.
- Hypoglycemia
- A condition where blood sugar levels become dangerously low.
- Antihypertensive medications
- Drugs used to lower and control high blood pressure.
- CNS depressants
- Medications that slow down brain and nervous system activity.
- Metabolism
- The body's process of breaking down and using substances like medications.
- Immunosuppressants
- Medications that weaken the immune system's response.
- Absorption
- The process by which the body takes in and uses a medication through the digestive system.
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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