thyroglobulin

Hi, Karen. Are you seeing a thyroid cancer specialist, i.e. an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid cancer?

It is not a good idea to lower your dose of synthroid when you have an increased level of thyroglobulin. In those of us who have been treated for thyroid cancer, some doctors would be doing scans and/or even PET scans, to determine the source of a 5.1 thyrogen enhanced thyroglobulin.

If you are having obvious symptoms of over suppression (ie palpitation, etc), then many doctors would just suggest adding a mild beta blocker, to counter those symptoms, while still keeping your TSH low.

At 12 years post diagnosis, this is not a time to relax your suppression. We know that thyroid cancer can reoccur 5-10-or even 20 years later, and recurrences are almost always more difficult to treat, and potentially more serious than our original disease.

I would want to find out why the thyroglobulin has risen (ie - was it was done by the same lab each time? some labs measure slightly differently than others, etc). If it was all done by the same 'routine' lab, then I would want the source to be investigated, or would seek a second opinion - promptly.

You may find information in these 2007 guidelines that will help you make a decision on what to do next - the flow charts in this one are particularly helpful:
http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/thyroid.pdf

These guidelines were determined by levels of consensus among thyroid cancer treating endocrinologists, etc - another good place to look for what most doctors think of any detectable (while suppressed) and rising thyroglobulin levels:
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/thy.2006.16.ft-1

Hope these help. All the best to you.

glowingkaren said:

Hi denyse! Well, I don't go back to see Dr until Feb 12th. My last test was in Dec as stated in last thread. I have gained weight though since my thyrogen injections, & my synthroid being lowered & having hard time getting it off. UGH! I DID have a body scan in Sept. I had too much radiation left in my bowels & had to go back, but they said it is ok.My Doc says TG test is more reliable though, so we will keep a watch for now. I know it will be treatable if it comes back, but I was REALLY DEPRESSED going HYPO & really hope to not do it again. TY for your concern, I hope your Daughter is doing well. Karen

How did your appointment turn out on 2/12. I hope well. Denyse

glowingkaren said:

Denyse,
My appt went TREMENDOUS! My Thyroglobulin went back down to 0.5! I don't have to go back for 6 months! How are things with your Daughter? Karen

I'm so happy for your. Since your Tg was .5 was that hypo or on meds? I get confused on this. If it's under .5 when hypo, that's really good, right? Things are great with my daugther. Thanks for asking. She had her 6 wk post treatment blood work which registerd at .76 for tsh and .4 for her tg which is great on 112 levoxyl. her meds were increased from 112 to 125 and told she would do the hypo 6 wks off meds in may to see what tg is without levoxyl. If it's under .5 we are set! : ) We are praying for a .5 or less: ) She had an ultrasound this week and they said good and clear. we are happy and anxiously await putting this behind us. good luck and keep in touch.: )