This question is asked by hypothyroid patients a lot. Actually, Researchers have found that the best time of day to take thyroid medication is best taken at night before you go to bed. They found that there were higher levels of thyroid hormone concentrations in the body and lower TSH concentration when certain thyroid medication were taken at night instead of in the morning.

They now believe that eating breakfast and then taking the medication may be interfering with the intestines being able to absorb the medication and that it takes longer for the medication to transit the bowels at night so it stays in your system longer.

There are many types of thyroid medications so you should really ask your doctor for his personal advice on what time of the day is best for YOU to take your medication.

You should only take a weight loss product if it has been approved of by the FDA.  Fat blocking drugs like Alli or Xenical have been approved by the FDA.  Alli is the brand name for the medication Orlistat.  Xenical is a prescription medication that is a higher dosage of orlistat and is sold under the brand name Xenical.  Even though both of these medications have been approved by the FDA, there is now a warning that drug interactions with your thyroid medication can exasperate hypothyroidism.  As a result, the FDA has added the warning that “XENICAL and levothyroxine should be taken at least 4 hours apart.”

Weight loss drugs approved by the FDA are for those who are obese or morbidly obese. They are taken by many who suffer from hypothyroidism in an effort to lose weight.  The problem is, the claims made about these drugs can be overly hyped and the proper warnings are not heeded by those who are desperate to loose weight.  If you have a low functioning or slow thyroid, it is very difficult for you to lose weight.  Any product that claims that you will be able to lose weight without effort on your part is misleading.

Ephedra was approved of by the FDA but had so many dangerous side affects that it had to be taken off the market.  How much more dangerous was it for those who were on thyroid medication?  The FDA now warns consumers to beware of weight loss products that have the following words added in their advertisements: effortless, easy, magical, secret ingredient, new discovery or exotic, etc.

Xenical and the over the counter drug Alli, work to prevent the absorption of fats.  If you decide to take Alli or Exenical, be prepared to suffer the side effects of diarrhea, cramping, leakage of oily stool, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.  Many people who take these medications find they need to wear depends.  These side effects are not pleasant and since the medication may interfere with your thyroid medication, it is safe to say that thyroid patients and over the counter weight loss medications may not mix.  It is better to try to lose weight naturally by making the necessary but healthy dietary changes you need by adding in more thyroid friendly foods.

Have you suffered with several symptoms leading to the diagnosis of an under active thyroid gland? Is one of the symptoms that compelled you to seek a diagnosis sleep deprivation? Are you suffering from complete exhaustion, sweating all the time and have noticed you have a horse voice all the time? All of these are symptoms of having an under active thyroid. People who have sleep deprivation and an under active thyroid are depressed and lack enthusiasm for life.

Many women are affected by sleep deprivation and an under active thyroid more than men. The thyroid gland is the master gland that affects metabolism and energy levels and yes, even sleep patterns. It is located at the base of our throat and it has an extreme amount of influence over our sleep patterns and many other functions of our body.

If low thyroid functioning is affecting your sleep, you will wake up still feeling exhausted after even 10 hours of sleep. Taking naps will be a necessity, instead of a luxury you indulge in once in awhile, if you have an under active thyroid. You may find yourself falling asleep in your car at lunchtime or while sitting reading a good book that you are really very interested in. This type of fatigue is not normal. Not everyone experiences it. It is caused by a slowed metabolism and lack of sleep that is the result of hypothyroidism.

If you do not treat your under active thyroid, you may also begin to suffer from sleep apnea. This has been the finding of sleep researchers. Sleep apnea is more than just a problem of snoring loudly. It is a condition where one stops breathing during sleep and can be a dangerous condition.

If your low thyroid functioning is causing you to be unable to sleep adequately, your stage 4 sleep phase will be insufficient. This is the restorative phase of ones sleep where your body is able to repair the damage caused by stress and re-energizes itself. The result is brain fog and weight gain and extreme tiredness.

Another thyroid problem that can cause sleep deprivation is transient thyroiditis. This is a condition that means that your thyroid gland is inflamed. Inflammation of the thyroid is common during periomenopause and menopause as well as a condition women can suffer during the post-par-tum period after childbirth. You will experience the area of your thyroid gland, neck and throat area being tender if your thyroid is inflamed. One of the first symptoms of a woman entering menopause is the lack of ability to sleep well.

If you have been diagnosed with an under active thyroid, properly treating it will help resolve your sleep problems. There are natural cures you can try or prescription medications you can take. You should avoid drinking coffee or alcohol, especially in the late afternoon or evenings. Also, taking magnesium and calcium supplements will help as well as 100-400 mg of 5 HTP and a Melatonin supplement. It is a good idea to speak to your medical doctor about your sleep deprivation and under active thyroid too.

The very first thing you should do is to ask for your medical records.  Do not let the doctor fool you and tell you that they cannot allow you to see them. You are legally entitled to see and have a copy of your medical records.  You can officially request your records in writing if the doctor puts you off in the office.  You may see patterns of health concerns as your go over your own medical records that may help you better communicate with your doctor as to what is going on with you.

Next, begin to keep your own health journal.  Jot down how you are feeling day to day and list any symptoms that are troubling you.  Keep a record of menstrual patterns if you are a woman.  Write down your dietary changes and adjustments and keep a track of your medications as you begin to take what your doctor prescribes for hypothyroidism.  Write down any questions that come to mind as you are keeping your journal so you will have them at your finger tips at your next doctor’s visit.

Learning how to take control if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism can involve learning all you can about alternative treatments.  Although these may be controversial, you may find it necessary to experiment with some of them if your current medication is not doing the trick.  These alternative treatments usually involve such things as taking certain herbs and supplementation along with your prescribed medicine.

You can also ask your doctor to suggest alternative treatments but don’t be surprised if they sound off on how they don’t work.  The truth is, some alternative treatments do work and some do not.  It is up to you to find the ones that do if you are serious about being an active participant in your health care.  On the other hand, if you do find an alternative medical treatment that your want to try, inform your doctor just in case it may interfere with your prescribed medication.

Now if you have all the symptoms listed like extreme fatigue, unexplained weight gain, dry and brittle nails, dry skin and depression or mood swings and your went to the doctor by he or she could find any thing wrong,  ask for more testing.  Hypothyroidism is an often overlooked health problem.  If you have a copy of your records you can always take them with you so you can point out any patterns to your doctor.  If your doctor refuses to listen and you still feel you have an under active thyroid, go for a second opinion.  Learn how to take control if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and for any other health problems you have.  After all, it’s your life.

Hypothyroidism means an under active, reduced or less than normal thyroid functioning. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the base of your throat. It secretes thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism means the under-functioning of the thyroid gland in the body.

Thyroxine is the hormone that is normally released in the body. It will show up on your blood test under the title of T4. It is called T4 because it has four iodine molecules. Thyroid hormones have various functions in the body. It is carried in the blood stream to the many cells of the body. It ensures that other organs and tissues in the body are functioning correctly. Thyroixine aids the heart, brain, body and muscles of the body. When it is out of balance because of a thyroid disorder, the body has a tendency to gain weight and keep it on even when the victim of hypothyroidism is dieting. The body just will not function properly and energy levels will plummet. The body will be unable to process carbs and calories properly. If you are gaining weight and feeling tired the entire time, go see your doctor as soon as possible and explain all of your symptoms. A blood test will be needed to confirm that you are suffering from hypothyroidism.

Once confirmed as an under active thyroid condition, the proper medication can be prescribed and excess weight will melt off. You may also try a thyroid diet that will help you balance your thyroid levels with out the need for prescribed medication. A few of the proper foods eaten every day can make a world of difference. There is no need to suffer needlessly. Hypothyroidism and weight gain is a tough condition but it can be controlled naturally or with medication.