Forum Discussion
Bridgette
6 years agoMember
Thyroid and Breast Cancer
This message is for Arpie. Could you perhaps let me know the name of your specialist. I have not come across ANY doctor who understands thyroid problems or even thinks that perhaps there may be a connection between both medical issues. I put on weight (which I can ill afford to do) when I took Tamoxifen and drs. told me it doesn't do that but it did to me. I stopped taking it after one year because the side effects made my life not worth living. I have been off it almost 1 year now - no weight gain - and I don't want to take it again. Also, my GP just looks at the TSH, T4 and T3 and says "normal - all good" but I know that it is not. I was diagnosed in July 2017 and had surgery to remove the lump and 6 weeks radiotherapy. Now I just wait and hope that it will never reoccur. I would just like to have a doctor who understands that "normal range" is not a one size fits all and also understands how breast cancer can affect a person going forward.
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10 Replies
- BridgetteMemberThank you for your post and also for the link. I guess I only worried going forward because I still have about 3.5 years to go to get an all clear. I guess is it natural to worry about it coming back.Sign in to react to this post
- primekMember@Bridgette I see one through telehealth through my GP practice all covered by medicare.
Hypothyroidism doesn't have an increased risk ftom what I've read.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-there-a-link-between-thyroid-disease-and-breast-cancer-risk-201604079407Sign in to react to this post - arpieMemberHi @Bridgette .. I’ve sent you a message.
Where abouts do you live? (City/town). If you add it to your profile, members may be able to point you to specific facilities that may be useful to you.
All the best xxSign in to react to this post - BridgetteMemberThank you Primek. The trick is finding an endocrinologist in my area. I have only met with one once before the hashimoto's was diagnosed and all he did was charge me a fortune for a 5 min consultation and said I had to go on a diet! When I was diagnosed with autoimmune hashimoto's I had an answer for the mystery of why my weight was increasing at such a quick rate irrespective of how little I ate. The most important thing for me now is to hope and pray that the cancer does not come back.Sign in to react to this post
- primekMemberAsk for a referral to an endocrinologist. Mine understands that their is a wide variation in normal and when we right.Sign in to react to this post
- Anne65Member@Bridgette Thought I'd tag @arpie in as you wanted her to respond to your initial post. Just put a @ symbol before anyone's name & it will send a message to them!
Anyway, I was diagnosed in Dec. '17 & had surgery, rad treatment but i am on no medication.
I was diagnosed with Graves disease (over active thyroid) around 20 years ago & was put on a toxic drug that i was only supposed to be on for around 6 months. This was discovered around 3 yrs ago so i was taken off it & not put on other further medication as the endo was seeing if it would come back. Unfortunately, after my cancer treatment & further routine blood tests, it was discovered that my Graves disease had returned. I asked many different doctors if it was related to the cancer or the rad treatment & they all said no......so I put it down to a coincidence! Anyway, it was decided for me to have a radioactive iodine tablet which would treat my gland & now i am on thyroxine for the rest of my life but this is a very safe & common drug. I still wonder, like you, if there is a link so good luck in your findings & let us know if you discover a good doctor who knows the answer. Good luck xxSign in to react to this post - I see an endocrinologist that makes sure I am on correct medication dosage.Sign in to react to this post
- BridgetteMemberHi Keeping positive. I guess that is why it is so important to have a doctor with a special interest in thyroid problems and understands that not very patient is the same- mind you that applies to all things in general. I think the levels should only be a guide and not accept as a strict measure for everyone.Sign in to react to this post
- Interesting, because some blood collection clinics report the range slightly differently for the thyroid levels. What is within normal range varies, no consistency.Sign in to react to this post
- JulieVT11MemberHi @Bridgette whereabouts are you located? I live in Brisbane and have a fantastic GP that really understands thyroid disease. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos disease in April 18 and then BC Oct 18 and have been on tamoxifen since. My GP does bloods every 4 months and checks my thyroid so carefully to make sure my medication is spot on.Sign in to react to this post