How to Avoid Calcium While Taking Thyroid Medication

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a thyroidectomy, and I take levothyroxine. Instructions for the medication state not to take it within four hours of consuming calcium. No discussion of the drug has clearly stated whether this only refers to calcium supplements or whether this also includes high-calcium foods.

I usually take levothyroxine when I wake up, between 2 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., to avoid breakfast dairy products (i.e. yogurt, cheese and soy milk) and dinner foods (broccoli, leafy greens, dairy and soy). I go to bed fairly early. I eat mainly plant-based, plus dairy.

I have asked some doctors and pharmacists, only to have them answer with the question: “Doesn’t that only apply to supplements?” I don’t know! That’s why I’m asking. I want my thyroid prescription to work as it’s supposed to. Can you shed light on this issue? -- E.G.

ANSWER: Large amounts of elemental calcium do decrease the absorption of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine. If you were to take thyroxine (Synthroid and others) at the same time as you would a large calcium pill, you could expect the thyroid medicine to be about 7% to 8% less absorbed. (Iron and caffeine also decrease thyroid hormone absorption.)

A glass of cow’s milk taken at the same time will decrease thyroid hormone absorption. Soy milk has not been studied, but I would expect calcium-fortified soy milk to be similar to milk, yogurt and some high-calcium cheeses in their ability to reduce thyroxine absorption. However, I think you may be taking things too far. One hour is probably adequate enough to separate calcium from thyroxine. Furthermore, if you are consistent in taking your medication, your dose will get adjusted to the correct level. I doubt that vegetables have any effect on absorption.

Finally, in a study of people who took thyroxine sometimes with and sometimes without their calcium, the change was not enough to get them out of the desirable range, although the levels were definitely affected. The dose of thyroid hormone has a little bit of leeway in most people, although some people (such as those with a history of thyroid cancer who are now on replacement therapy after surgery) need to have a very exact dosage. So, avoiding calcium, iron and caffeine in those cases is more critical.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.

© 2023 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved

Fun Ways To Keep Kids Occupied Over Summer Break

Play dates: Play dates are a great way to make kids happy and take a little off of parents’ daily plates. Arrange routine summer play dates with children’s school friends, neighbors and/or cousins. Parents can alternate hosting responsibilities so they can get work done at home and enjoy a break when it’s not their turn to host.

Magic Maze –HOOD

Bernard O. Belanger, Jr.

June 30th, 2023

Bernard O. Belanger, Jr. passed away on June 30th, 2023, at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Belanger; his children, Brittany (Patrick) Mannix, and Brandon (Nikki) Belanger; 3 stepchildren, Dalton & Sam Monti, and Lauren Forte; grandchildren, Bailey, Jamison, Lucas, and Olivia. Mother, Sara Belanger; father, Bernard Sr. (deceased), brothers Mark (Angie) Belanger, and Todd (Tina) Belanger Scott (pre-deceased) (Charlene) Belanger, and sister, Rebecca Belanger. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues, and friends.

The Benefits Of Preplanning Your Funeral

Preplanning protects families faced with sudden death. Few people want to think about their deaths, and fewer still want to think about dying suddenly and/ordyingyoung.Preplanningafuneralandsettingmoneyasideearlycan protect and help families faced with sudden deaths. That can be especially important for young parents, who won’t want to leave their spouses and children financially destitute should they suddenly pass away.

Lanny S. Burns July 17, 2023

Dansville- Lanny S. Burns age 82, passed away late Monday afternoon, July 17, 2023, at home while in hospice care with family at his side.

He was born in Dansville on May 31, 1941, a son of the late Sheridan and Emma (Bills) Burns. He was also predeceased by a daughter Susan Burns, a niece Barbara Bennion and siblings, Robert and James Burns. On July 15, 1978, he was married to the former Mary Lathan Burns, who survives.

Lanny was a US Air Force veteran serving for four years as a Russian linguist specialist. He was a drafting engineer at the former Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. in Dansville and Alstom in Hornell. After retirement he worked in the electronics department at Wal-Mart in Geneseo for seven years. In his free time, he enjoyed playing golf and obtained a “Hole in One” three years ago. He was a member of a barber shop chorus in Warsaw for seventeen years. He enjoyed attending and watching his grandchildren’s events, playing soccer, football, baseball, and basketball, marching band, color guard, and cheerleading.

Surviving in addition to his wife Mary, are daughters, Amy Burns, Kelly Shepard, Kerry (Todd) Macko, and a son Christopher Burns. Lanny is also survived by his dearly loved grandchildren, Emma Striegel, Zachary Burns, Hali and Mo Shepard, Dr. Bryanna Love, Dell Jackson, and Teagan and Tanner Macko, several nieces and nephews, and his dear friends Dick and Johanne Gillard.

Friends may call Friday July 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Hindle Funeral Home, Inc., 271 Main St. Dansville. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday July 22nd at 11:00 am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Dansville. Online remembrances may be left at HindleFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of owers, please make memorials to the Vincent House Comfort Care Home, 310 Second Ave. Wayland, NY 14572. Condolences may also be sent to Mary at 86 Baldwin Drive Apt A, Dansville, NY 14437.

Apple Brie Bites

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

5 ounces Brie cheese

1/2 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Heat oven to 400 F. Grease mini muffin pan.

Servings: 24

Press seams of puff pastry sheet together. Cut sheet into quarters then each quarter into six pieces.

Use rolling pin to flatten each piece of pastry into square shape. Place one square into each muffin cup.

Put 1/2 teaspoon brie, 1 teaspoon apple butter and 1/2 teaspoon chopped pecans into each muffin cup.

Bake 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.

DID YOU KNOW? Without pollinators, more than 100 crops grown in the United States would not be able to thrive. Plants, including various fruits, vegetables, nuts and more, rely on pollinators to ensure to transport pollen. Though many plants are self-pollinating and others are pollinated by the wind or water, many others rely on insects and animals to become pollinated. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, and small mammals all can work as pollinators. Examples of crops pollinated by pollinators include apples, squash and almonds.Animals and insects help pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants, and nearly 75 percent of all crops, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Unfortunately, pesticide use can diminish the number of natural pollinators. Natural gardening and pest-control can help protect the habitats of pollinators.