The short answer
Not known in people. We found no study of moringa (sahjan) taken with levothyroxine. In a small Unani pilot study, eight people with an underactive thyroid drank a moringa leaf decoction for 45 days; their TSH fell while T3 and T4 rose. The summary does not say whether they were also on levothyroxine.
In female rats, moringa leaf extract went the other way, lowering T3 by about 30%. So moringa leaves may change thyroid tests, but in which direction is unclear. Levothyroxine has a narrow therapeutic index, so small changes can matter. If you take it and use moringa powder, capsules or tea regularly, tell your prescribing doctor and ask whether your TSH should be rechecked.
Levothyroxine is sold in India as Thyronorm and Eltroxin.
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSH fell and T3 and T4 rose in a moringa leaf pilot study; whether anyone took levothyroxine is not known[1] | Not established | Could add to levothyroxine | Small clinical study |
| T3 fell about 30% and T4 rose in female rats[2] | Possibly less conversion of T4 to T3 | Could work against thyroid treatment; seen in rats only | Animal |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Pilot study in hypothyroidism, 2021 Small clinical study
Ten adults with primary hypothyroidism were enrolled and eight finished. They drank a fresh moringa leaf decoction, 5 g twice a day, for 45 days. Average TSH fell from 16.62 to 4.75, and T3 and T4 rose. There was no comparison group, and the abstract does not say whether anyone was taking levothyroxine.[1]
Rat study, 2000 Animal
Adult male and female rats were given a water extract of moringa leaf for 10 days. In females, T3 fell by about 30% and T4 rose; males showed no significant change. Animal results show the question is worth asking. They cannot tell us what happens in people.[2]
What your doctor may watch for
- TSH and free T4, rechecked as your doctor decides if you start or stop a moringa product.[3]
- Symptoms that could mean too much or too little thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine has a narrow therapeutic index, so small changes can matter.[3]
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, moringa (leaf powder, capsules or tea, and how much) along with levothyroxine. Moringa leaves changed thyroid tests in a small study and in rats. Should my TSH be rechecked, and when?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Is drumstick (sahjan ki phali) in sambar or sabzi a problem?
The thyroid studies used moringa leaves, not the pods eaten as a vegetable, and the two are not the same exposure. We found no study of drumsticks in food with levothyroxine.[1][2]
Does taking moringa at a different time from levothyroxine help?
No moringa-specific gap has been studied, so none is known to help. Ask your doctor how you should take your levothyroxine.[3]
Related
Ashwagandha and thyroid medicines
Ashwagandha can raise thyroid hormone levels. That could add to levothyroxine, or work against antithyroid drugs.
InteractionGuggulu and thyroid medicine (levothyroxine)
Guggul raised thyroid hormone in mice. The one human trial in people on levothyroxine used a multi-herb tablet and cannot show guggul's own effect.
ConditionUnderactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): what Ayurveda offers
One small trial found ashwagandha improved mildly raised TSH. No trial we found tested Ayurveda in place of levothyroxine. Do not stop it.
InteractionFenugreek (methi) and levothyroxine
Not tested in people. In mice and rats, methi seed extract lowered T3 and raised T4. Nobody has studied it with levothyroxine.
Sources
- Alam MA, Quamri MA, Haider N. Efficacy and safety of Barg-e-Sahajna (Moringa oleifera Lam.) in primary hypothyroidism. Drug Metab Pers Ther. 2021;37(1):21-26. PMID 34449175.
- Tahiliani P, Kar A. Role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status in adult male and female rats. Pharmacol Res. 2000;41(3):319-323. PMID 10675284.
- Levothyroxine sodium tablets, US prescribing information (DailyMed). Warnings, interactions and monitoring.
Awaiting review by The Good Vaidya Medical Board. Prepared from the sources below and checked against each one.
Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated 4 November 2026
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