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Drug interactions

Iron + Liothyronine

Severity: Moderate

Iron and Liothyronine: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Oral iron salts can bind thyroid hormone in the gut and lower its absorption. This may raise TSH and cause loss of thyroid control in treated patients.

What this interaction means in plain words

Iron and Liothyronine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Iron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Liothyronine belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Iron forms insoluble complexes with thyroid hormone in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.

What to do

Separate liothyronine and oral iron by at least 4 hours. Check TSH and clinical status after starting or stopping iron.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Iron with Liothyronine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Iron and Liothyronine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Oral iron salts can bind thyroid hormone in the gut and lower its absorption. This may raise TSH and cause loss of thyroid control in treated patients.

How serious is the interaction between Iron and Liothyronine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate liothyronine and oral iron by at least 4 hours. Check TSH and clinical status after starting or stopping iron.

What other medicines interact with Iron?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.

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