Possible thyroid problems

It is possible
rmkbrad,

My Radiation Oncologist (RO) mentioned to me that the radiation can cause us to feel fatigued for at least one year after our final treatment. My fatigue seemed to last longer. He also stated that we need to keep an eye on our blood work and the (TSH) levels.
He also said that it wasn't a matter of IF my thyroid was going to fail, but more of a matter of WHEN it was going to act up. It did take roughly 5 years, but the energy that I did have dropped off the chart and I had blood work done. I am now taking Thyroid medicine and it has helped.

You can get the generic stuff and it works also, ask your Doctor.

My Best to You and Everyone Here

palmyrafan said:

Thyroid
Again, agreeing with the others, a blood test is the only sure way to know for sure. Bear in mind that there is a range of low-normal - high-normal and you can fall anywhere in between or even low or high.

Also, fatigue is one of the complaints people have when they are dehydrated. Are you drinking enough fluids? Water, juice, etc.? Again, another possibility.

Are you sleeping well at night? If you are cat-napping or waking up a lot, that can affect your energy levels.

What about your caloric and food intake? Have you changed your diet recently? That can also have an impact on your energy levels.

The best thing to do is to see your doctor and have blood work done.

I hope everything turns out okay for you.

Thyroid
I tend to agree with the fan of Palmyras, in that one really needs to keep themselves hydrated......especially during this time of the year. Those of us with a 50/50 dry mouth situation really need to keep liquids flowing down us most of the day. Even though I think I'm getting enough fluids due to my having to have liquids in my swallowing at all times, I still periodically push myself to drink a couple of more glasses of water a day. It seems to help, and I'm not as drowsey after shoveling the humidity off the driveway in 96 degree temperatures.

Larry

Blood Work Best Indicator
Like my buddy and felllow leather neck mentioned, blood tests are the best indicators.

I to was told basically it's not if, more when the thyroid will go....best indicators are TSH levels and Free T-4...my TSH levels have been high for a year and half now, but the T4 is still within range.

My ENT basically said that hormones are still more an art rather than science. You can have someone with TSH levels in range, but having thyroid problems. But on that same theme, you can have someone with high TSH levels and not displaying thyroid problems.

I started the minimal dosage of Synthroid 25micro-grams, but it was giving me pulse and BP problems, so they had me stop for now....

I do get fatigued in the evenings, but still get in a full days activity. It's just hard to keep going in the evening once my butt hits the couch.

***ADDED***

Like mentioned above also, hydration.... I tend to fish a lot, and I know that if I don't drink enough it takes a toll on me...

Even doing yard work, I once let myself get too de-hydrated doing yard work...thought I was gonna pass out. Made myself really sick for a short while and that was long after treatment. I make sure I have plenty of water close by when in the sun working or playing...

Best,
John

rmkbrad said:

Thanks for the reply's
I just got back from the VA ER and had blood work done, the thyroid takes two day's to come back so I won't know until Wednesday. All other labs were good and while I was there I had a leter of fluid, I have been drinking the normal 64 oz. of fluid a day with some of that being gatorade or power aid but I guess that is not enough. I do feel better after the fluid but not great, I have been dehydrated before and got fluids and felt great after. I hope it is something with my thyroid because I can't take feeling this wooped all the time. After my first round with radiation and chemo by now I was doing alot better, so I am just hoping that it does not take longer since I am recovering from my second round of chemo,radiation. I can take the side effects but being so tired that I cannot function I can't take.

Brad

That is the way I feel all
That is the way I feel all the time. Completely exhausted. They have checked my thyroid, and it's ok. I rarely have a good energy day. It's awful.

luv4lacrosse said:

ENERGY
I can most definitely relate to what you are going through. My bloodwork is all good for right now, so I guess I fell victim to the radiaton. I finished treatment in October of 2010 and had zero energy for several months thereafter. Once I started going back to the gym, and or even walking a little bit each day, my energy has slowly came back. Today I can go to the gym and work out for up to 2 hours and feel great. I am still not very strong, but have plenty of energy. I also try to eat foods very high in protien and eat a steady level of carbs throughout the day that seems to help.

Hang in there, it will slowly get better.

Best!!

Mike

Thyroid Fun
The 2nd year after radiation to my sinus and neck, is when my exhaustion started getting worse again, I couldnt figure out why.. I thought I was suppose to start feeling better. Blood work showed pititary gland levels were high. Brimocriptine for that and 3 months later, levels look good, but wait.. now the thyroid is out of wack. Now on 50mcg of Synthoid. Finally got that all regulated, and added B12 and Vit D suppliments to help with energy levels and I actually feel pretty dang good.

Well for about 1 month, then my vision started getting really blurred and my eyes watered all the time. I assumed it was allergies, then my eyelids would swell up and not even allergy drops worked. Doc at MDAnderson told me I needed to see an opthamalogist. Apparently radiation to the face can also cause "Chronic dry eye", add Restatis to my list of drugs, and now I feel good and can see where Im going.

Started year 3 since treatments.. have to wonder what is in store this year

I'm right there with ya pal!
Radiation FRIED my thyroid and also somehow zapped me nuts too, so I'm also dealing with Low-T.

http://csn.cancer.org/node/221948

Get a complete blood screen. Check for TSH, free T3 and T4 and Thyroid Peroxidase AB as well as pituitary and testosterone levels.