Written By: Manasi Pawar, BPharm
Reviewed By: Dr. Rahul Gaikwad, MBBS, MD-Medicine
If you take thyroid medicine like levothyroxine, small daily habits can make a big difference. One common question many people ask is about milk. Can you drink milk with your thyroid tablet?
Short Answer
Yes. Drinking milk too close to your thyroid tablet can reduce how well the medicine works.
Why Milk Affects Thyroid Medicine
Milk and other dairy products contain calcium. Calcium can interfere with how levothyroxine is absorbed in your body. When this happens, you may not get the full benefit of the dose, even if you take the tablet every day.
Over time, poor absorption can lead to:
Thyroid levels staying out of range
Symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair fall, or brain fog
Confusing blood test results and dose changes
How Milk Interferes with Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine works best when taken on an empty stomach. Milk can block part of the medicine in the gut, reducing how much your body absorbs. Food and drinks also slow absorption.
Taking your tablet the same way every day, with proper timing, helps keep thyroid levels stable and prevents unnecessary dose changes.
The Right Way to Take Levothyroxine
For best results, follow these simple rules:
Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach
Use plain water only
Take it first thing in the morning
After taking the tablet:
Wait 30–60 minutes before eating breakfast
Wait at least 3–4 hours before drinking milk or consuming dairy products
Consistency matters more than anything else.
What About Tea, Coffee, or Breakfast?
Tea or coffee with milk: Take after 3–4 hours
Black coffee: Wait at least 30–60 minutes
Breakfast foods: Eat only after waiting 30–60 minutes
Other Things That Can Interfere with Thyroid Medicine
Besides milk, avoid taking levothyroxine close to:
Calcium supplements
Iron tablets
Antacids
Multivitamins
These should be taken 3–4 hours apart from your thyroid medicine.
Can I Take Thyroid Medicine at Night?
Yes. Some people take levothyroxine at bedtime. If you choose this option:
Make sure your last meal was at least 3 hours earlier
Take it at the same time every night
Always discuss timing changes with your doctor.
Instructions for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Hypothyroidism is common during pregnancy and after delivery. During this time, women often need more calcium, which can cause confusion about dairy and thyroid medicine.
Simple tips to follow:
Take levothyroxine first thing in the morning with water
Wait 30–60 minutes before eating or drinking anything, including milk or yogurt
For calcium supplements or antacids, wait 2–4 hours
Do not skip dairy; just separate it from your thyroid tablet
Get thyroid levels checked regularly, especially after delivery
Simple Takeaway for Patients
Milk does not damage thyroid medicine
Taking them together can reduce effectiveness
Proper timing helps your medicine work as intended
A small habit change can make a big difference in thyroid control.
Quick Reminder for Patients
Take your thyroid tablet with water only
Empty stomach matters
Keep milk and supplements a few hours away
Same routine every day is key
References
Chon DA, Reisman T, Weinreb JE, Hershman JM, Leung AM. Concurrent Milk Ingestion Decreases Absorption of Levothyroxine. Thyroid. 2018 Apr;28(4):454-457. doi: 10.1089/thy.2017.0428. Epub 2018 Mar 28. PMID: 29589994; PMCID: PMC5905419.
Sylvia Ye et al, Misconceptions regarding dairy intake around thyroxine administration in pregnant and postpartum women, Australian Journal of General Practice, Volume 52, Issue 6, June 2023, doi: 10.31128/AJGP-09-22-6561
Cows’ milk interferes with absorption of thyroid supplement levothyroxine. Endocrine Society. 2019. Available from: https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2017/cows-milk-interferes-with-absorption-of-thyroid-supplement-levothyroxine
How to take Synthroid the right way. Synthroid.com. Available from: https://www.synthroid.com/taking-synthroid