When faced with thyroid concerns, what is the relationship between levothyroxine and CBD? What should
CBD has become a widely used, natural option for people looking to support healthy sleep, help alleviate pain and discomfort, and overall, general health, including emotional support. CBD doesn’t contain the psychotropic effects of THC, a constituent in the same plant. It is an easy to obtain supplement found in not only health food and nutrition stores but has also gained much mainstream popularity.
With the elevation of levothyroxine becoming the #1 written prescription in 2016, it was only a matter of time before the two overlapped and questions were asked. Levothyroxine, or Synthroid, are synthetic hormones generally prescribed for people with hypothyroidism. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition, Hashimoto’s.
Recently, people have been asking about the interaction between these two commonly used products. According to a question posed on Drugs.com:
I take .88 levothyroxine daily for hypothyroidism. I also use CBD oil for anxiety and sleep. Are there any known interactions between these two medications?
And
I take levothyroxine daily for low thyroid. Will CBD harm my levothyroxine?
Here’s what Doc has to say about why people may be asking these questions and what is actually happening physiologically:
Hold the Phone — Doc’s Thoughts
Okay, this is actually a good question, and one many people should be asking, especially when one is taking multiple prescriptions and supplements. First, we have to cover a couple of basic physiological principles:
- A natural supplement supports the body to adapt back to natural function.
- A prescription drug forces the body into a desired effect by manipulating pathways and systemic functions.
With those thoughts in mind, let’s take a closer look. Levothyroxine is using the cytochrome P450 pathways to do its job in the body. CBD also uses the same. CBD has a unique relationship with our endocannabinoid system, so the body will easily bind and use the CBD. Therefore, because some of the effects of the CBD on the nervous and immune systems, the ones that impact thyroid hormone and need, are met, the prescribed dose of the prescribed levothyroxine may be higher than the need at the time. This will cause the levothyroxine to continue circulating, unused, in the body. This could lead to either a toxic situation, or overdose type situation, or send the body into a hyperthyroid situation in which there is too much of the thyroid hormone in circulation.
Some people have found that separating the two by a couple of hours helps, while others decide which supports their health outcomes better and decide to go ahead with that option. To be clear, CBD and levothyroxine aren’t interacting, as much as they are competing for the same metabolic pathways in the body. Either way, yes, there is an indication of CBD and levothyroxine for some people. And for a good reason!
To learn more about how to support your body and thyroid, contact a Wellness Way clinic today. Our practitioners have successfully supported many patients in discovering their unique paths to health restoration.
To hear more of Doc’s perspective on levothyroxine and CBD, check out his weekly show, A Different Perspective.
