[Table/Fig-3]:

Practice patterns followed by hypothyroid patients.

Questions	Responses, n (%)
What time of day you take your thyroid tablets?	Early morning – 200(81.9) Afternoon – 14(5.73) Night – 30(12.2)
Do you take your thyroid tablets before food?	Yes – 212(86.8) No – 32(13.1)
Time gap followed between levothyroxine and food intake (n=212)	10 min – 64(30.1) 20 min – 30(14.1) 30 min - 22(10.3) 40 min - 15(7.07) 60 min - 81(38.2)
How frequently do you miss your thyroid tablet?	Once a week – 100(40.9) Twice a week – 22(9.01) Thrice or more – 28(11.4) Once / twice a month – 33(13.5) Never – 61(25)
How frequently do you visit your thyroid physician?	Once a month - 68(27.8) Once in 3-6 months - 95(38.9) Once in a year - 81(33.1)
How frequently have you stopped your medications in the last one year thinking you were normal?	Once – 28(11.4) Twice – 35(14.3) Thrice – 28(11.4) No – 153(62.7)
How often do you get your thyroid tested?	Every 3 months – 30(12.2) Every 6 months – 50(20.4) Every 9 months – 14(5.73) Every 12 months - 20(8.19) When doctor advises – 130(53.2)
Do you avoid cabbage or cauliflower in your diet?	Yes – 100(40.9) No - 136(55.7) Not sure - 8(3.3)
Do you feel thyroid medications are helping you in reducing your complaints?	Very much - 72(29.5) To some extent – 110(45) Not always - 45(28) Never - 17(6.96)
Have you taken alternative medications for hypothyroidism?	Ayurveda - 45(18.4) Siddha - 0(0) Yunani - 0(0) Homeopathy - 69(28.2) No - 130(53.2)
Do you take calcium / vitamin D / iron tablets along with thyroid medications?	Yes – 90(36.88) No – 154(63.11)
Has your doctor prescribed calcium or vitamin D along with thyroxine?	Yes - 80(32.7) No - 164(67.2)
Are you taking calcium / vitamin D as recommended by the doctor? (n=80)	Yes - 68(85.0) No - 12(15)