Life Chats with "Lauren"

Rainbow: It hasn't been four hours since I took my levothyroxine, so if I have a can of soup that has 25% calcium—a little less calcium and a little less iron—would that be bad? Lauren: I'd be cautious. Calcium and iron can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine. It's generally recommended to wait about four hours after taking your medication before consuming foods or supplements that are high in calcium or iron. If it hasn't been four hours yet, it would be better to wait if you can. Rainbow: Does couscous have a lot of iron, calcium, magnesium, or potassium in it? Lauren: No, couscous is not a rich source of those minerals. A typical cooked cup contains only a small amount of iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, so it isn't considered high in any of them. Rainbow: Does it have a lot of fiber? Lauren: Not really. A typical cooked cup of regular couscous has about 2 grams of fiber, so it's considered fairly low in fiber. Whole-wheat couscous has more, but standard couscous isn't a significant source. Rainbow: Right now, I just want to do what's best for my thyroid. Lauren: That makes sense. If your goal is to maximize the absorption of your levothyroxine, then waiting the full four hours before eating foods that are high in calcium or iron is a good idea. Since couscous itself is low in those minerals, it's generally not a concern. Rainbow: I'm just really worried my thyroid is going to be bad because I've been cold. I'm also up a couple of pounds, but weight does fluctuate here and there. Lauren: I understand why you're worried. Feeling cold can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, but it can also happen for other reasons. A gain of a couple of pounds is very common and can simply be normal day-to-day fluctuation from changes in fluid, food intake, or other factors. Your upcoming thyroid labs will give you a much better idea of what's going on. Until then, try not to read too much into any one symptom or a small change on the scale. Rainbow: Thank you, Lauren. Lauren: You're very welcome, Rainbow. I'm always happy to help. I hope your lab results give you some reassuring answers. Rainbow: Okay, so if I have couscous with a pat of salted butter and some sesame oil and chicken broth, I should be okay, right? Lauren: Yes. That meal is low in calcium and iron, so it shouldn't significantly interfere with your levothyroxine. It's a reasonable choice while you're waiting for the four-hour window to pass. Rainbow: Yogurt and cereal are things that should wait, right? Lauren: Exactly. Yogurt is high in calcium, and many breakfast cereals are fortified with iron. Those are the kinds of foods that are best saved until at least four hours after taking your levothyroxine. Rainbow: Would tilapia be okay? Lauren: Yes, tilapia is perfectly fine. It's a lean protein and isn't high in calcium or iron, so it's a good choice. Rainbow: I got thundered awake by a storm last time around, so I'm tired. But I've got to expect this for the next few weeks—or more than that, actually—given the time of year we're in. Plus, it is Florida. Lauren: Yeah, absolutely. Summer storms in Florida are just a fact of life, and they can really interrupt your sleep. Hopefully, you'll still be able to get some decent rest despite the weather.