For the millions managing thyroid conditions—especially women over 40—taking thyroid medication is a daily ritual. But for too many, the way it’s taken is quietly sabotaging both treatment and bone health.
At OsteoStrong, we’re not just focused on strength and balance—we look deeper into what causes bones to weaken in the first place. One of the most overlooked culprits? Thyroid dysfunction and improper medication absorption.
The Thyroid–Bone Connection
Thyroid hormones play a major role in bone turnover. Too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) accelerates bone loss. Too little hormone (hypothyroidism) slows down bone formation.
Even well-managed thyroid conditions can lead to bone density decline—if medication is not being absorbed correctly.
The Morning Mistakes: What Gets in the Way
Despite good intentions, many people sabotage their thyroid medication’s effectiveness by combining it with:
- Coffee – Even black coffee reduces absorption of levothyroxine by up to 36%
- Bulletproof coffee and fats in food – Fats like butter or MCT oil slow stomach emptying and further impair absorption by 25-40%
- Zinc, magnesium iron and calcium supplements – These can bind to thyroid medications in the gut and block its absorption by 20-50%
- Bone broth – rich in minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium can reduce thyroid medications absorption
- Fruit juices – fructose, polyphenols, calcium fortified juices, and high acid grapefruit and citrus juices may impair thyroid medications absorption
Coffee, fats, supplements and fruit juice taken together? Your medication may not be doing its job—leaving thyroid levels unstable and bones more vulnerable.
Why It Matters for Bone Density
When thyroid levels fluctuate:
- Bone breakdown accelerates.
- Calcium and other minerals are lost.
- Over time, this leads to osteopenia, osteoporosis, and increased fracture risk.
This is especially dangerous for post-menopausal women and older adults, where the margin for error is slim.
How to Protect Your Bones and Your Thyroid
1. Take your thyroid medication first thing in the morning, with water only.
2. Wait at least 60 minutes before having coffee, Bulletproof drinks, fruit juice, food, or supplements.
3. Take mineral supplements (like zinc, magnesium, iron and calcium) at least 4 hours later.
4. Monitor your thyroid levels regularly and discuss bone health with your doctor.
5. Support your bones with evidence-based osteogenic loading—like OsteoStrong’s convenient once-a-week sessions.
At OsteoStrong, our purpose is helping people reclaim strength, vitality, and independence by addressing the root causes, not just symptoms.
If you take thyroid medications, a small change to your morning routine could make a big difference in how your body heals and strengthens—from the inside out.
