breast cancer and thyroid

lizzie17
lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Has anyone had thyroid problems while being treated for breast cancer? I now have an enlarged thyroid, and 2 nodules! I am wondering if arimidex has anything to do with it.
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Comments

  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    sorta
    While having rads, my thyroid quit working so well so I now take synthroid.

    Maureen
  • Gloria09
    Gloria09 Member Posts: 190

    sorta
    While having rads, my thyroid quit working so well so I now take synthroid.

    Maureen

    thyroid
    I already take thyroid meds ... hope nothing happens to make it worse.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    No, I haven't. I don't
    No, I haven't. I don't think the two are linked, are they? But, arimidex might be doing something to you. Is there anything in the side effects about that? Let us know!

    Debby
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    Lizzie...OMG!!
    I have spent a good part of this night crying because we were told today that I have to have further testing on my thyroid because a catscan I had done recently on my cervical picked up a nodule and a suspicious area "accidently". This is the second "accidental" finding. When I had an MRI done on my arm they accidently found my BC.
    I am not on arimedex, I take tamoxifen. I did have 3 surgeries and radiation though. I have kept saying I did not feel right and was not bouncing back (unusual for me). Some symptoms are dry skin (got it), weight gain (got it), and fatigue (got it!). Although these are all symptoms of treatment and menopause too (recently had ovaries removed).
    I am petrified! Never had thyroid problems ever till I was told today of the suspicious findings. Doc is very concerned. I am being scheduled for an ultrasound.
    Good luck to you and keep us posted. I am curious to hear what they find out!
    Pammy
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    lizzie...
    I finished chemo last December. Finished rads in late February. I just finished a year of Herceptin infusions.

    I started having "tremors" and losing weight (30 pounds in 3 months).

    I finally had some tests done and am now in treatment for a hyperactive thyroid.

    I have no idea if the two are related, but my symptoms began while in treatment for bc.

    Hugs,

    CR
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    Akiss4me said:

    Lizzie...OMG!!
    I have spent a good part of this night crying because we were told today that I have to have further testing on my thyroid because a catscan I had done recently on my cervical picked up a nodule and a suspicious area "accidently". This is the second "accidental" finding. When I had an MRI done on my arm they accidently found my BC.
    I am not on arimedex, I take tamoxifen. I did have 3 surgeries and radiation though. I have kept saying I did not feel right and was not bouncing back (unusual for me). Some symptoms are dry skin (got it), weight gain (got it), and fatigue (got it!). Although these are all symptoms of treatment and menopause too (recently had ovaries removed).
    I am petrified! Never had thyroid problems ever till I was told today of the suspicious findings. Doc is very concerned. I am being scheduled for an ultrasound.
    Good luck to you and keep us posted. I am curious to hear what they find out!
    Pammy

    Pammy....
    I've got your hand friend....whatever it is or isn't, we're with you.

    Try and stay calm until all of the facts are in. Those are all symptoms of a HYPOactive thyroid too, which is not unusual at your age, regardless of whether there is a history of it. That can be treated with meds.

    Just hang in there until tests are completed.

    Meanwhile, get a farm, plant some roses, buy a goat...lol.

    Big hugs,

    CR
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    CR1954 said:

    Pammy....
    I've got your hand friend....whatever it is or isn't, we're with you.

    Try and stay calm until all of the facts are in. Those are all symptoms of a HYPOactive thyroid too, which is not unusual at your age, regardless of whether there is a history of it. That can be treated with meds.

    Just hang in there until tests are completed.

    Meanwhile, get a farm, plant some roses, buy a goat...lol.

    Big hugs,

    CR

    Thank you!
    They called this AM and I will have my ultrasound done on Thursday. I'm wondering why they are not starting with a simple blood test to check levels first and want to jump to the big guns. Guess that is what scared me. But, the initial shock is wearing off and I am processing things better today.
    Thanks for having my hand! LOL....better go harvest my crops!
    Pammy
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    Akiss4me said:

    Thank you!
    They called this AM and I will have my ultrasound done on Thursday. I'm wondering why they are not starting with a simple blood test to check levels first and want to jump to the big guns. Guess that is what scared me. But, the initial shock is wearing off and I am processing things better today.
    Thanks for having my hand! LOL....better go harvest my crops!
    Pammy

    Pammy
    So sorry you are having to go through this. Waiting is so hard. Keep us posted.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3

    PS are you playing farmtown?
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    Akiss4me said:

    Thank you!
    They called this AM and I will have my ultrasound done on Thursday. I'm wondering why they are not starting with a simple blood test to check levels first and want to jump to the big guns. Guess that is what scared me. But, the initial shock is wearing off and I am processing things better today.
    Thanks for having my hand! LOL....better go harvest my crops!
    Pammy

    I don't know...
    I don't know why they haven't started with a blood test Pammy. And I sure am not telling you not to be concerned. Just really want you to know that I, as well as so many others, are here for you. Whether the news is good or bad. But I am going to continue thinking "GOOD" if you don't mind! Hang in there...you have a lot of folks in your corner!

    Hugs,

    CR
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    Akiss4me said:

    Lizzie...OMG!!
    I have spent a good part of this night crying because we were told today that I have to have further testing on my thyroid because a catscan I had done recently on my cervical picked up a nodule and a suspicious area "accidently". This is the second "accidental" finding. When I had an MRI done on my arm they accidently found my BC.
    I am not on arimedex, I take tamoxifen. I did have 3 surgeries and radiation though. I have kept saying I did not feel right and was not bouncing back (unusual for me). Some symptoms are dry skin (got it), weight gain (got it), and fatigue (got it!). Although these are all symptoms of treatment and menopause too (recently had ovaries removed).
    I am petrified! Never had thyroid problems ever till I was told today of the suspicious findings. Doc is very concerned. I am being scheduled for an ultrasound.
    Good luck to you and keep us posted. I am curious to hear what they find out!
    Pammy

    Oh Pammy,
    My prayers are

    Oh Pammy,
    My prayers are that this accidental finding is not anything bad. But if it should be thank goodness for accidents. It is just not fair to have to have further tests and "unknowns" hanging over you. You are still recovering from the the ovary removal. I am sending huge cyber hugs and will be standing over the technicians shoulder as you have your ultrasound. I will pray, chant, shout, plead, bargain, whatever it takes to help ensure that this is not anything to worry about. Keep us posted and know that we will all be here for you whatever this might be.
    Stef
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    CR1954 said:

    lizzie...
    I finished chemo last December. Finished rads in late February. I just finished a year of Herceptin infusions.

    I started having "tremors" and losing weight (30 pounds in 3 months).

    I finally had some tests done and am now in treatment for a hyperactive thyroid.

    I have no idea if the two are related, but my symptoms began while in treatment for bc.

    Hugs,

    CR

    Pammy,
    Perhaps they are not

    Pammy,
    Perhaps they are not bothering with a blood test because they see a node and that needs to be addressed no matter what the blood results say. If it was just the symptoms and they didn't see the node they probably would start with the blood tests. I think it is good taht they are doing this quickly. Too many times we have seen the results of waiting and dragging feet. And the sooner they do the ultrasound the sooner we can celebrate (I pray)

    Stef
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    Jadie said:

    Pammy
    So sorry you are having to go through this. Waiting is so hard. Keep us posted.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3

    PS are you playing farmtown?</p>

    Ha,ha,ha
    Farmtown, Farmville, Happy Aquarium, Pet Pupz, Farkle, etc.......
    Pammy
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    fauxma said:

    Pammy,
    Perhaps they are not

    Pammy,
    Perhaps they are not bothering with a blood test because they see a node and that needs to be addressed no matter what the blood results say. If it was just the symptoms and they didn't see the node they probably would start with the blood tests. I think it is good taht they are doing this quickly. Too many times we have seen the results of waiting and dragging feet. And the sooner they do the ultrasound the sooner we can celebrate (I pray)

    Stef

    Thanks Stef!
    Yes, there is a node! I pulled my PETscan report from back in June and it says "a small hypodense nodule is present in the left lobe of the thyroid". So your explanation makes sense. I feel better :)Pammy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Akiss4me said:

    Lizzie...OMG!!
    I have spent a good part of this night crying because we were told today that I have to have further testing on my thyroid because a catscan I had done recently on my cervical picked up a nodule and a suspicious area "accidently". This is the second "accidental" finding. When I had an MRI done on my arm they accidently found my BC.
    I am not on arimedex, I take tamoxifen. I did have 3 surgeries and radiation though. I have kept saying I did not feel right and was not bouncing back (unusual for me). Some symptoms are dry skin (got it), weight gain (got it), and fatigue (got it!). Although these are all symptoms of treatment and menopause too (recently had ovaries removed).
    I am petrified! Never had thyroid problems ever till I was told today of the suspicious findings. Doc is very concerned. I am being scheduled for an ultrasound.
    Good luck to you and keep us posted. I am curious to hear what they find out!
    Pammy

    Pammy, my first reaction at
    Pammy, my first reaction at your message was anger that you were given a new 'assignment" so soon. But I've read the posts and I am calming down. Lots of nodes are benign, so they should give you the damn blood test! (Whoops, thought I was calmed down.)

    I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 39 (20 years ago). Pretty much the first thing that ever went wonky with my body. I read about some research studies a while back about a possible, but inconclusive, association of hypothyroidism with lobular breast cancer, with iodine levels being a common denominator. Who knows?

    Whatever the outcome (and thyroid IS one of the more innocuous cancers), I will be reading your messages and cheering you on with prayers and friendly thoughts.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    lynn1950 said:

    Pammy, my first reaction at
    Pammy, my first reaction at your message was anger that you were given a new 'assignment" so soon. But I've read the posts and I am calming down. Lots of nodes are benign, so they should give you the damn blood test! (Whoops, thought I was calmed down.)

    I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 39 (20 years ago). Pretty much the first thing that ever went wonky with my body. I read about some research studies a while back about a possible, but inconclusive, association of hypothyroidism with lobular breast cancer, with iodine levels being a common denominator. Who knows?

    Whatever the outcome (and thyroid IS one of the more innocuous cancers), I will be reading your messages and cheering you on with prayers and friendly thoughts.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn

    Are we calmer, Lynn?
    Thanks, Lynn. I woke up this morning down in the dumps because I feel like I am so young to be falling apart so quickly. I am greatful that they are so thorough when doing any kind of test, but upset that there could possibly be anything else going on, right when I started feeling better. I know I had my thyroid checked about 1 1/2 - 2 years ago and the levels were fine. So this is all so frustrating to me (understandably)!
    I do want to say that our BC board ROCKS when it comes to helping one another! If we are comforting, complaining, cheering or researching....someone steps up to the plate immediately! I posted a question on the "thyroid" cancer board and no one has even acknowleged it! It must be mostly men on there....LOL
    Pammy
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    Akiss4me said:

    Lizzie...OMG!!
    I have spent a good part of this night crying because we were told today that I have to have further testing on my thyroid because a catscan I had done recently on my cervical picked up a nodule and a suspicious area "accidently". This is the second "accidental" finding. When I had an MRI done on my arm they accidently found my BC.
    I am not on arimedex, I take tamoxifen. I did have 3 surgeries and radiation though. I have kept saying I did not feel right and was not bouncing back (unusual for me). Some symptoms are dry skin (got it), weight gain (got it), and fatigue (got it!). Although these are all symptoms of treatment and menopause too (recently had ovaries removed).
    I am petrified! Never had thyroid problems ever till I was told today of the suspicious findings. Doc is very concerned. I am being scheduled for an ultrasound.
    Good luck to you and keep us posted. I am curious to hear what they find out!
    Pammy

    thyroid
    I pray your thyroid is okay, but if not, it is good it may be an "accidental finding". I believe with any cancer, early detection improves our survival rate. So far, my ultrasound found an enlarged thyroid --reason to be determined---and 2 nodules. Also, my TSH, etc. is all out of whack. They have referred me to an endocrinologist, but I have spent several hours, including 2 days of phone tag, and still have no appointment! Nothing until January 20something, Feb. or May! I just wonder since my cancer is HR+ and my arimidex works against the hormone, that maybe it is all connected. Let us know how things are going with you.
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Stef!
    Yes, there is a node! I pulled my PETscan report from back in June and it says "a small hypodense nodule is present in the left lobe of the thyroid". So your explanation makes sense. I feel better :)Pammy

    dumb question
    Is a node and a nodule the same?
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    lizzie17 said:

    thyroid
    I pray your thyroid is okay, but if not, it is good it may be an "accidental finding". I believe with any cancer, early detection improves our survival rate. So far, my ultrasound found an enlarged thyroid --reason to be determined---and 2 nodules. Also, my TSH, etc. is all out of whack. They have referred me to an endocrinologist, but I have spent several hours, including 2 days of phone tag, and still have no appointment! Nothing until January 20something, Feb. or May! I just wonder since my cancer is HR+ and my arimidex works against the hormone, that maybe it is all connected. Let us know how things are going with you.

    I'm curious...
    If you don't mind my asking, were you having any symptoms such as dry skin, weight gain, or extreme fatigue? Like I said before, I would have thought they would have run the bloodwork first. So the only thing I can figure out is that they are highly suspicious of their finding already. The ultrasound will determine if it is fluid filled or solid and I plan on slyly getting that info out of the tech during the test! If my ultasound determines I need a biopsy, I have decided to go to my team out of state in Pittsburgh. I will ask my surgical Oncologist to refer me to an Endrocrinologist Oncologist. Let us know what is going on with you too. I'm sorry we are both going through this. Pammy
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    lizzie17 said:

    dumb question
    Is a node and a nodule the same?

    I believe so...
    I say "node" but my report says "nodule".....Pammy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Akiss4me said:

    I believe so...
    I say "node" but my report says "nodule".....Pammy

    I think a node is the more
    I think a node is the more general term and it just means a connection or end point. A nodule, on the other hand, is a growth. Here is what endocrine says about nodules (I happen to have nodules, myself):

    Simply put, thyroid nodules are lumps that commonly arise within an otherwise normal thyroid gland. Often these abnormal growths of thyroid tissue are located at the edge of the thyroid gland, so they can be felt as a lump in the throat. When they are large or when they occur in very thin individuals, they can even sometimes be seen as a lump in the front of the neck. The following is a list of facts regarding thyroid nodules from "endocrine web" :

    * One in 12 to 15 young women has a thyroid nodule.
    * One in 40 young men has a thyroid nodule.
    * More than 95% of all thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous growths).
    * Some are actually cysts, which are filled with fluid rather than thyroid tissue.
    * Most people will develop a thyroid nodule by the time they are 50 years old.
    * The incidence of thyroid nodules increases with age.
    o 50% of 50 year olds will have at least one thyroid nodule
    o 60% of 60 year olds will have at least one thyroid nodule
    o 70% of 70 year olds will have at least one thyroid nodule

    I hope this helps.

    xoxoxoxo Lynn