St Johns Wort

[pooksta]

can you take St Johns Wort when you are taking tablets for a Thyroid problem

[DJerba]

Dont toy with the Thyroid! ask the Doc don't take any advise from the ABer's, as educated as we all are it will only be opinion. Although it is herbal, check it out 1st. Did you know? Brace yourself if you are taking thyroxine (not sure if thats spelt right!) you shouldn't drink milk (esp soya) for 3 hours after as it coats the tablet and doesn't work as well. Thats a fact from a dietition (again not spelt right!).

[shaneystar2]

I take levothyroxine every day and it can react with other drugs..Of course you can drink milk with it ..I never heard such a load of rubbish.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/define-levothy roxine.htm

People taking certain drugs high cholesterol, high blood pressure and thyroid conditions should not use St. John's wort. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if considering its use.It may reduce the thyroid activity of drugs such as levothyroxine

[Katie~77]

St. John's Wort can interfere with the pill too! Aaarrrgh!x

[DJerba]

Before you slag off my 'rubbish' ss2 I suggest you look into it yourself. Infact get yourself down to a dietarian and tell them their knowledge is rubbish. Also your on a completely different pill to what I am so did you not think that maybe thats why I stated it is in relation to THYROXINE? Pooksta it may depend on the mg of the does you are taking. See a doc, ask at a chemist or in Holland and Barretts they will have more knowledge than me and ss2 put together.

[Katie~77]

Oooooh, if you're going to have a barney please let me get out of the way first!!!x

[DJerba]

Not at all I'm not going to have a barney, I was just answering with valid information as someone that had thyroid problems and I get shot down by someone who clearly has never looked outside straight forward medicines. I was just giving information I know to be true for a fact! Although apparently thats rubbish which is fine. fear not Katie~77

[Katie~77]

Phewwww, I was worried!lol.x

[shaneystar2]

Well ..I do apologise ..Apparently there is some evidence that some calcium preparations can inhibit absorption of Thyroxine. Some doctors recommend a 2-hour interval between taking Thyroxine and eating calcium-rich foods. In general there should be as long a time interval as possible between the calcium and the Thyroxine.
Had you stated you were on Thyroxine I would not have been so hasty . So please accept my apologies. However ,the Levothyroxine I am on has improved my problem 100% in spite of glugging it down every morning followed by a bowl of porridge made with milk :)

[battersby]

Best ask your Gp pooksta. I do know SJW should never be taken with any of the SSRI's.just in case you're on one of them. (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors".

[kaylamay]

I take Synthroid daily and the only thing i try and avoid taking at the same time is calcium which can absorb other meds making them redundant or less potent. I take them hours apart. I have heard(from a Dr.) that St.Johns Wort can be toxic if taken in too large a quantity, so never take more than the recommended dose. Best to be safe, ask your Doctor about doses and best times to take it.

[kaylamay]

about the milk coating the Thyroid med if taken at the same time, it probably has more to do with the calcium in the milk absorbing the medication and passing it too quickly through your system. My Synthroid is time released and i was told by my Doctor never to take the generic form of it as it is not as effective. Generic is Levothyroxine. (I guess it is just a matter of opinion, but as my Medical Insurance pays fully for the name brand i go with it.)

[genthon]

I was never told to always take my levothyroxine with water and I therefore often take it with other drinks for speediness! I have been taking thyroxine for years but although my yearly blood test shows my thyroid gland levels to be within the accepted perimiters I still seem to exhibit many of the problems associated with under active thyroid including the latest which is hairloss around my temples and forehead. Terrible depressing and worrying. Will take my tablet with water from now on!

[dot.hawkes]

I take the same as u shaneystar and noone has ever told me about the milk thing, i take mine with my coffee at 7.30 every morning, i have an annual test and it is fine. I wonder whether it depends on other factors in your matabolism?