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HIT's avatar
HIT
Member
11 years ago

Thyroid after chemo - Advice?

Hi  Has anyone had thyroid probs after chemo/radiation?

I been diagnosed with a hereditiary thyroid condition (even though its not in family) 4 weeks after radio. 

Am still taking hercepton and am having dryness mostly - skin nose etc and sudden constipation when dryness is bad. 

Still got the nerve damage in feet hands, aches in all the joints especially knees and shoulders. 

Boobs still ache a fair bit (funnily enough both of them, sometimes I think i bump my port) Mild / random abdominal pains (I think related to digestive after chemo) I dont know if some of these are leftovers from chemo, or the ongoing hercepton or now the throid problem.

I had a reading of 97 seemingly - when normal is four and doc said usually by the time you get to 7 the symptoms are so noticable you notice. 

Of course the symptoms she was talking about were tiredness (ah duhh chemo, radio) and weight gain. - I've lost 20kgs since being diognosed - lost 3 kgs instantly after commencing thryoid tabs. 

Sound like a mess hey but all this is fairly mild and managable. 

Any advice would be great.

Pam

3 Replies

  • suzieq's avatar
    suzieq
    Member
    11 years ago

    What may be normal for one person may not be normal for another.  We are all different.  You need to find a dr who is sympathetic and knows and understands about the thyroid and it's effect on moods, weight etc.  It is IMPORTANT you get copies of your thyroid results so YOU can monitor how you feel and how you are at what TSH level.  

    For me, I am at my absolute optimum health when my TSH level is between 0.04 and 3.0.  If my TSH level goes higher than 3 then I start getting depressed, weight gain, cold etc.  My GP knows this and we manage it together.  Just because you are within "normal range" it may not be normal for you.  If you are at the upper level of "normal" then you obviously have room to move and your oroxin or thyroxin could be increased.  Find a GP who understands this and works WITH YOU and you will be fine!  

    Good luck

    Suexx

  • suzieq's avatar
    suzieq
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi. I have hereditary thyroid disease. First it was hyperthyroidism treated with a small amountdof radioactive iodine which only killed off a small amount of thyroid. I eventually ended up with hypothyroidism and have managed this well for a number of years. When having chemo treatment my TSH level went up to 8. (Normal is 0.3 to 4). My normal is between 0.3 and 3. Any higher and I get depressed and tired. So chemo really messed with either my thyroid or thyroid meds. So did anti estrogen drugs. I am only taking 2 tamoxifen tablets a week now and my life and thyroid returning to mormal. You need to get your TSH level tested every 6-8 werks until you get stable. KNOW what your levels are and make sure you get copies of your tests. T3 and T4 also needs testing at the same time. Hint. When you have your blood tests make sure it has been at leadt 6 hrs since taking thyroid meds. You will live a normal life with hypothyroidism. I believe cancer treatments and drugs interfere with thyroid. Don't hesitate to talk to me anytime. Sue
  • suzieq's avatar
    suzieq
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hi. I have hereditary thyroid disease. First it was hyperthyroidism treated with a small amountdof radioactive iodine which only killed off a small amount of thyroid. I eventually ended up with hypothyroidism and have managed this well for a number of years. When having chemo treatment my TSH level went up to 8. (Normal is 0.3 to 4). My normal is between 0.3 and 3. Any higher and I get depressed and tired. So chemo really messed with either my thyroid or thyroid meds. So did anti estrogen drugs. I am only taking 2 tamoxifen tablets a week now and my life and thyroid returning to mormal. You need to get your TSH level tested every 6-8 werks until you get stable. KNOW what your levels are and make sure you get copies of your tests. T3 and T4 also needs testing at the same time. Hint. When you have your blood tests make sure it has been at leadt 6 hrs since taking thyroid meds. You will live a normal life with hypothyroidism. I believe cancer treatments and drugs interfere with thyroid. Don't hesitate to talk to me anytime. Sue