Thyroid levels

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tommaseena
tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I only have half my thyroid and have been on Synthroid for many years and my thyroid levels have always been normal but on my yearly lab test my levels dropped from 4.11 to 0.15 Normal levels are .35-5.5.

I have read where Lynn your thyroid went haywire. My PCP has lowered my dose and I will have my levels checked again in 6 wks.

I am wondering if chemo can have this effect on your thyroid. My PCP says yes but my oncologist said she has not heard of this.

Margo

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  • LadyParvati
    LadyParvati Member Posts: 328
    #2
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    I know nothing about this, but offer hugs!
    Hi, Margo,

    I can't share your experience, but I'm guessing it's no fun to have your thyroid going wacky. I can only send you cyber hugs and hope that things settle out soon!

    Sandy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
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    Boy, Margo. I am hoping
    Boy, Margo. I am hoping that it IS my thyroid, and a simple fix. I think it was Moopy who posted in a different strand that her sister has lots of trouble when her thyroid is off. Your drop was a big one. I hope that you are feeling OK. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #4
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    There are times...
    When I truly believe that they - the medical experts - don't/can't know everything about the lingering/permanent SEs of chemo.

    Some doctors will freely discuss their "suspicions" (what they've learned/heard of from their own experiences) - while others, like my own med onc, won't go there without proof positive scientific evidence (i.e., clinical trials).

    Which, of course, can be darned confusing for us patients who need to see multiple doctors. Sheesh.

    I do know that getting thyroid meds dosage just right can be tricky and and takes time. I hope you get to a stable level soon, Margo.

    Best wishes to you, friend. Always.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
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    Margo, I very vaguely recall
    Margo, I very vaguely recall reading something somewhere as to chemo affecting the thyroid. I would tend to take the PCP's opinion on this because oncologists can be very narrow in their knowledge, at least from what I have seen.

    My sister has taken Synthroid for years also and has to get her levels checked often and her level of meds adjusted. She hasn't had chemo (pray God she never will need it), yet she still requires the closer monitoring.

    I hope that your doc will keep a close eye on your levels and also that you report any effects, mood and skin, etc. From my sister I know the impact fluctuating thyroid levels can have. Hope you are feeling ok after such a big change, my friend.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #6
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    I can't blame my wacky
    I can't blame my wacky levels on chemo. My levels were stable for ~20 years--then during menopause my TSH was 12 and I wasn't on chemo. They upped my dose and then my TSH dropped to 0.1. Makes you wonder if the first result was even mine? Now my level is 0.2 and I went back down on my Synthroid again. Maybe it's just menopause stuff?? Just FYI, do not take your Synthroid with calcium as it interferes with absorption.
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #7
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    CypressCynthia said:

    I can't blame my wacky
    I can't blame my wacky levels on chemo. My levels were stable for ~20 years--then during menopause my TSH was 12 and I wasn't on chemo. They upped my dose and then my TSH dropped to 0.1. Makes you wonder if the first result was even mine? Now my level is 0.2 and I went back down on my Synthroid again. Maybe it's just menopause stuff?? Just FYI, do not take your Synthroid with calcium as it interferes with absorption.

    Synthroid
    I take my Synthroid in the morning on an empty stomach and don't take my other meds/vitamins until 4 hrs later.

    I had my left thyroid removed years ago and was put on Synthroid so the right thyroid would not have to work overtime. My levels have always been in the normal range even before I had 1/2 thyroid taken out. I had it taken out because I had several goiters on it and was causing swallowing issues.

    Now I am in chemo induced menopause so maybe that has something to do with it as well. Probably never know why this happened.

    My blood levels will be checked until we get this under control.

    Margo

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