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Skipping breakfast
Since past one year, I am skipping breakfast as a part of the intermittent fasting, but I take a tea and coffee in the morning recently I when I checked my thyroid level where high (TSH - 12.3024) and my prolactinw level has been high since past a couple of years (150 now). So, I had consulted a doctor for this and started taking medicines for both thyroid and prolactin.
I want to know if skipping breakfast has any thing to do with the hormonal changes or is it okay to continue as I want to manage my weight.
Answers (25)
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What type of intermittent fasting u do..8:16 or 5:2 or alternate day?
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Intermittent fasting is not good for long run
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Breakfast is the most important part of meal. Skipping it means fasting your body. And fasting state of body releases many hormones which could be detrimental.
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No, it doesn’t have any significant effect on hormone level.
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Consult a endocrinologist
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Yes it could be one of the factors
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Can understand your apprehension but next time please don't get tested blindly. We doctors tests and give you associated precautions to be taken before them most likely with those prolactin and thyroid values you should have had some other symptoms, which boils down to the fact the labs you got them were bad or it wasn't done right
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About breakfast, when we fast the hormones like Growth hormone, cortisol and thyroid tend to rise to prevent low glucose levels. High cortisol leads to decrease immunity
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Try telling me your other symptoms to help you better, feel free to connect for better help - Dr Aryan
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Better to consult an endocrinologist and get Serial Dilution for Prolactin to get a proper reading; If other visual symptoms/headache better to get imaging if advised by an endocrinologist!
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✓Skipping breakfast does not directly cause high TSH or prolactin.
✓High prolactin in hypothyroidism often resolves partially once TSH is normalized. So, managing your thyroid may lower prolactin without needing extra medications.
✓avoid heavy caffeine on empty stomach
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✓follow up with your physician with detailed clinical history
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Skipping breakfast or doing intermittent fasting does not directly cause high TSH or high prolactin levels.
Your TSH value suggests hypothyroidism, which is commonly due to thyroid gland dysfunction and is not related to fasting.
High prolactin can occur due to:
Thyroid disorder itself
Stress and poor sleep
Hormonal imbalance
In many patients, hypothyroidism itself raises prolactin, and once thyroid levels are corrected, prolactin may also improve.
Intermittent fasting is generally safe, but very long fasting or excess tea/coffee on empty stomach can increase stress hormones and may cause weakness or acidity.
Next Steps
Continue thyroid and prolactin medicines as prescribed
Take thyroid tablet early morning on empty stomach with water only
Avoid tea/coffee for at least 30–45 minutes after medicine
Repeat TSH and prolactin after 6–8 weeks
Follow up with physician/endocrinologist for dose adjustment
Health Tips
Avoid extreme fasting while thyroid levels are uncontrolled
Ensure adequate protein intake and proper sleep
Weight loss becomes easier once thyroid levels normalize
If symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or missed doses occur, consult doctor
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kindly consult for better evaluation
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Skipping breakfast as a part of intermittent fasting is ok, but taking tea coffee does effects.
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Skipping breakfast as part of intermittent fasting (IF) does not directly cause hypothyroidism or high prolactin. A TSH of 12.3 indicates true hypothyroidism, and a prolactin level of ~150 is significantly elevated—these are medical conditions, not simply a result of meal timing.
However, how IF is practiced can indirectly worsen hormone control:
• Taking tea/coffee too close to thyroid medicine can reduce absorption, raising TSH.
• Chronic stress, poor sleep, or inadequate protein/calories during IF can increase prolactin and disrupt recovery.
• Weight management via IF is fine only if medicines are taken correctly and nutrition is adequate.
So, IF itself is acceptable—but medication timing and overall nutrition are crucial.
Next Steps
• Continue thyroid and prolactin medications as prescribed.
• Take thyroid medicine first thing in the morning with water only; avoid tea/coffee for 45–60 minutes.
• Recheck TSH and prolactin after 6–8 weeks to assess response.
• Ensure your IF plan includes adequate protein, calories, and micronutrients during eating windows.
• If prolactin remains high, your doctor may evaluate for stress, medications, or pituitary causes (if not already done).
Health Tips
• IF is compatible with thyroid treatment when done correctly.
• If mornings are difficult without tea/coffee, consider bedtime dosing of thyroid medicine (3–4 hours after dinner), after discussing with your doctor.
• Prioritize sleep, stress reduction, and resistance training for weight control.
• Avoid repeated hormone testing too frequently—allow time for medicines to work.
I understand how confusing it can be to balance weight goals with hormonal issues. You’re asking the right questions. With a few adjustments—especially around medication timing—you can safely continue IF and bring these hormones under control.
If you’d like, an online consult can help personalize your plan so you don’t have to choose between health and weight management.
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green leafy vegetables more
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Would be because of stress
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Dr. Nazia Begum M.G
General Physician
15 yrs exp
Belgaum
Do not skip breakfast
It's not good
No effect on hormone respective of breakfast
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Need some more details kindly consult
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Don't skip, Breakfast is important to start proper day
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Nimmi Mulwani
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Ahmedabad
IF doesn't cause hormonal imbalance
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Dr. Sanskriti
General Physician
4 yrs exp
New Delhi
I understand your concern. Skipping breakfast itself usually doesn’t directly cause high TSH or prolactin — these are hormonal issues. However, long fasting + only tea/coffee in the morning can stress the body and sometimes make weight loss harder, especially when thyroid is already off.
Next Steps
• Continue your thyroid + prolactin medicines regularly
• You can do intermittent fasting, but add a light protein-rich first meal (eggs/curd/nuts) instead of only tea/coffee
• Recheck TSH + prolactin after 6–8 weeks
• Gentle exercise + consistent sleep will help weight more than skipping meals
Health Tips
Don’t crash diet with hypothyroid — it backfires. If you’d like, book a consultation and I can help tailor a simple plan for weight + hormones together.
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Dr. Dinesh Mehta
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Jaipur
Skipping breakfast did not cause your hormonal imbalance, but extreme or poorly planned fasting may worsen it. A moderate, well-nourished approach is safest while managing weight and hormones.connect for further guidance and weight management.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.