Hypothyroidism: My newest development 1 yr 3 months post treatment

My thryroid started kicking the bucket

within 3 months of finishing treatment.  The RO tested it in Dec. and it was over 5....tested it again in February with my PCP, and it had gone up more, so they put me on Synthroid.....just a little bit, tho because my weight is still in the high 80's/low 90's and they don't want to rev me up too much till I gain weight. 

This is no biggie and pretty much expected after radiation of the neck area....especially if you had rads to both sides of your neck.

p

longtermsurvivor said:

it will be just fine

this is a fairly common problem after radiation.  Your slightly elevated TSH, and normal thyroid hormone levels are suggestive of subclinical  failure.  You should be on replacement, and like so many of us, the numbers should be followed and your meds periodically adjusted as necessary.  My thyroid completely failed before treatment was even over.  My TSH hit about 500, and you don' teven wanna know my thyroid hormone levels.  Even so, I have now been on replacement for almost 15 years.  No problems, I get my TSH rechecked periodically.

 

best to you

 

Pat

Me too
I am almost identical to Phrannie with the exception that my PCP did my bloodwork original at about 3 months post trt. I just couldn't believe how tired I was and everyone at my rads office kept saying "it's from the radiation, it'll get better" but they also told me that at my 3 month mark I needed to have my PCP do baseline bloodwork.
As standard procedure I've been started out low on levothyroxine (which is pretty much the same as synthroid) because my weight is so low. My normal weight is about 103 and I'm still at 90 so we want to get my weight up and at the same time adjust my hormone levels, it's all a balancing act.
I've been bumped up 2 times already from 25mcg then 50mcg and now 75mcg but I think based on my fatigue that it will be adjusted again in 2 weeks when I go back for more testing. But as Phrannie said, our weight plays a factor, if they put us on too high a dose we won't be able to get our pounds back on.
It is totally livable and completely expected that this will happen to us rad patients. I wasn't surprised. This is very doable, no big deal to cope with. The worst part for me is that I don't like the 1 hour after taking my pill before I can eat! Honestly it's silly, I just am not good with the whole waiting thing haha
You'll be fine, just another badge of courage my friend.
Billie

Skiffin16 said:

TSH & Free T4

I've been skirting both sides of the high mark for a few years now... My labs have the range from 0.5 - 5.0... I was above for a year or two, then just under for a year, now back in the 12.4 range the other day, but with normal Free T4.

ENT says that the hormones are somewhat not exactly a science to date... One may feel like crap and have a normal range, another with higher ranges and feel fine. I'll know more in a few weeks if they are going to try me on Synthroid again...

From all I have heard, it's easily controlled with daily synthetic meds...

JG

Thyroid

My Husband has been but on Synthriod as well...seems the Rad's damaged his Thyroid as well...as the Swallow Dr said it's the gift that keeps on giving.  It seems alot of times I try and sign on here i get connection lost and can't post has anyone else had this issue as there are day's I want to post or respond to someone and can't get on...it makes me sad as I want to be a active member and so many times cannot...

Skiffin16 said:

Connection...

It has been off an on for the last few days...

The lady that is the main contact for the site is out of state at the moment... I did mention it to her, I'll follow-up again.

Thanks,

John

 

Thank you

I thought it was just me...

 

levothyroxine

I'm on levothyroxine, a little inexpensive pill. The dose had been adjusted several times over the months. When the dose is right, my body temperature seems "correct". Not hot or cold for the surrounding environment. With too litlle thyroid hormone replacement, I was cold all of the time. Something nice to look forward to. Rick.