Question

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has hypothyroidism and is receiving levothyroxine. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication?

a. Ginkgo biloba
b. Glucosamine
c. Calcium
d. Vitamin C

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client that calcium supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of levothyroxine, a medication for hypothyroidism, by reducing its absorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse providing teaching to a client with hypothyroidism who is receiving levothyroxine should include information about potential interactions with supplements. Specifically, the nurse should instruct the client that calcium supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of levothyroxine. Calcium can bind with levothyroxine in the digestive tract, reducing its absorption and thereby its efficacy. Patients are often advised to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach and to avoid taking calcium supplements within several hours of their thyroid medication to avoid this interaction.