Synthoid ~ Update

Skiffin16
Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
LOL, you put the jinx on my good fortune.....just kidding, I knew it was coming soon.

Went to have the port flushed and also visit the ENT for my routine scope, poke and probe. Everything is looking good there, nothing out of the norm, all systems go, EEEEEEEE.

But as you all know, my ENT is my lead MD. He has been monitoring my TSH levels, and since my TSH level has went up every CBC for the last 18 months, and now for the last few above 5 (5.6 two weeks ago).

I started Synthoid myself today, 25MCG as mentioned above. I'll try that for 60 days and then retest, unless I have some reaction.

Maybe this will help with the fatigue that I have had for several months now.

BTW, for my fishing buds on here...I posted some new grouper photos from last Saturday's trip to the Skyway - Tampa Bay in my expressions.

Best,
John

Comments

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #2
    Same Boat
    John,

    I'm in the same boat as you, well sort of, I'm not a fisherman per say. Now and again, anyway, I am currently working with my family Doctor to find the correct dose to help me with the TSH level and fatigue issue. I have recently done the bloodwork and will see where the TSH falls this time. I started off with 50 MCG of Levothroxin, a generic brand of the Syntoid. I am taking 75 MCG now.

    Enjoy your fishing and leave some for the other fishermen/women : )

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #3
    WHEN TO CONSIDER THYROID SUPPORT
    I am 8 weeks post treatment today and all i want to do is sleep or sit down. Might I still be under the effect of Radiation and Chemo, or should I consider some type of thyroid support?

    I see my ENT on the 15th for a CT scan of my neck.

    Thanks

    Mike
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    luv4lacrosse said:

    WHEN TO CONSIDER THYROID SUPPORT
    I am 8 weeks post treatment today and all i want to do is sleep or sit down. Might I still be under the effect of Radiation and Chemo, or should I consider some type of thyroid support?

    I see my ENT on the 15th for a CT scan of my neck.

    Thanks

    Mike

    It's probably still what
    It's probably still what your body went thru from rads and chemo. I was the same way for months and my thyroid is fine. I am still very fatigued, but at least I have energy to do some things now, and i just come home and collapse.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    luv4lacrosse said:

    WHEN TO CONSIDER THYROID SUPPORT
    I am 8 weeks post treatment today and all i want to do is sleep or sit down. Might I still be under the effect of Radiation and Chemo, or should I consider some type of thyroid support?

    I see my ENT on the 15th for a CT scan of my neck.

    Thanks

    Mike

    Early
    From what I have read, mainly from the survivors on here, is it'll show up sometime between 12 - 24 months. But that doesn't necessarily mean you will have it happen to you. Just a large portion that have had the radiation to that area as we have, it will show up in.

    As for your situation, I'd say you are very early in the process...if at all. For you, I'd say what you are going through is very common. Your body is still healing from the batlle and war on cancer that you have just put it through. Another is the lack of food and nutrition that you have probably been getting and still less than before.

    One indicatior that they monitor is from your CBC (blood testing). It's the TSH number, normal range is somewehre around .4 - 4.0 or .5 to 5.0. But also there are other indicators they go by.

    Mine TSH levels started increasing from around 1.2 July 2009, to 5.6 a few weeks ago. My radiologist says that more than likely once it starts going, it won't recover.

    But treating it is very easy, and usually without much for problems.

    Best,
    John
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #6
    sweetblood22 said:

    It's probably still what
    It's probably still what your body went thru from rads and chemo. I was the same way for months and my thyroid is fine. I am still very fatigued, but at least I have energy to do some things now, and i just come home and collapse.

    ENERGY
    Thats what happens to me Sweet. I am back to work, and trying to work full time. I am at work now and as I type this all I want to do is fall asleep. I went back to work on the 29 of Nov. Maybe I am pushing the full time thing to quickly??

    I went to bed last night at 7:45, but was falling asleep in my chair at home as early as 6pm.

    It sucks , but at least I feel like a productive member of society now.

    BTW this picture of you looks great. I would never know by looking at it you are fighting the good fight.

    GOOD FOR YOU!!

    Mike
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
    luv4lacrosse said:

    ENERGY
    Thats what happens to me Sweet. I am back to work, and trying to work full time. I am at work now and as I type this all I want to do is fall asleep. I went back to work on the 29 of Nov. Maybe I am pushing the full time thing to quickly??

    I went to bed last night at 7:45, but was falling asleep in my chair at home as early as 6pm.

    It sucks , but at least I feel like a productive member of society now.

    BTW this picture of you looks great. I would never know by looking at it you are fighting the good fight.

    GOOD FOR YOU!!

    Mike

    Mike
    what you are feeling now is normal. Don't rush into more medication and let the blood tests be your guide. They will catch it if the numbers indicate it. I'm a year post and still go to bed by 9-930 every night.
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #8
    ratface said:

    Mike
    what you are feeling now is normal. Don't rush into more medication and let the blood tests be your guide. They will catch it if the numbers indicate it. I'm a year post and still go to bed by 9-930 every night.

    FATIGUE
    I guess I am just going to have to accept that I am going to be tired for quite some time to come.

    Thanks ratface

    Mike
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #9
    ratface said:

    Mike
    what you are feeling now is normal. Don't rush into more medication and let the blood tests be your guide. They will catch it if the numbers indicate it. I'm a year post and still go to bed by 9-930 every night.

    Normal
    I guess that is why my Oncologist mentioned the lengthy duration it takes to recover from
    treatment. He sure said it like it is & he is right on the money.Now that the weather is
    colder here it takes all of my energy just to warm up. I truly feel for you all who are working full time & trying to recoupe from this terrible disease.God bless each & everyone
    of you.
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,034 Member
    #10
    luv4lacrosse said:

    FATIGUE
    I guess I am just going to have to accept that I am going to be tired for quite some time to come.

    Thanks ratface

    Mike

    Mike
    All the others have mentioned that you are reacting normal and that is spot on. My Radiation Oncologist told me that we can have fatigue issues for as long as one year or even longer after treatment.

    As mentioned above, the blood work will tell you if there are issues with the thyroid. I was roughly 5 1/2 years out of treatment before my thyroid started acting up. I am now working with my family Doctor to find the right dose for me.

    Being 2 months out of treatment and working full time is pretty darn good in my opinion. I didn't get back to full time until about 7 months afterwards, but I was looking for a new job as well.

    My Best to You and Everyone Here
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
    Keep the Motor Running

    John that is great news, I like the everything looks good reports. Yep almost 2 years it is about time for the thyroid problems to start kicking in. Can’t wait for that fishing trip and to talk and laugh about some of what we went through and still being here.

    All the best
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #12
    Hondo said:

    Keep the Motor Running

    John that is great news, I like the everything looks good reports. Yep almost 2 years it is about time for the thyroid problems to start kicking in. Can’t wait for that fishing trip and to talk and laugh about some of what we went through and still being here.

    All the best

    Grouper
    Check out my expressions photos, last Saturday at the Skyway, mouth of Tampa Bay....
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #13
    Skiffin16 said:

    Grouper
    Check out my expressions photos, last Saturday at the Skyway, mouth of Tampa Bay....

    Groupers
    Now that is rubbing it in John, leave a few in water for when I get there
    That’s what I call a good fishing day

    Thanks and keep fishing
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #14
    ***UPDATE***
    Well, the Syntroid didn't work out that well for the eight days I was on it, at this time.

    As mentioned above, my TSH levels have been progressing upward for several months, 5.6 last reading.

    I started the Synthroid Friday Dec, 10th...

    Well I have some knee problems and had to get some X-Rays etc...on the PA taking my Blood Pressure (BP), she asked if I had high BP. Ummm, not normally, it's a little high normal I guess...usually running in the 130/80 range with a pulse in the 78 - 80 range, she read it at 167/95 with my pulse over 90.

    So when I got home after getting a cortisone injection in the knee I must add, LOL. I broke out the BP machine and started monitoring it, this was around Wednesday or Thursday.

    Well, even at rest, my BP never dropped below 160+/95+, sometimes the bottom over 100, and the pulse even at rest was always over 90.

    So we called the MD and he had me to stop the Synthroid last Friday, Dec. 17.

    Since, my pulse has returned to normal for me 72 - 80, and just this morning, the BP was at 132/74 and pulse was 72. It takes several days to start working, same with getting it out of your system.

    I guess even though I was on the minimum of .25MCG, it was still more than I need. So I guess somewhere down the road we'll address it again. I'm not having nearly the issues from the Thyroid as I was from the Synthroid.

    But, it was working, I had to have a blood test that same Friday (Dec. 17), my TSH was 2.84.

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #15
    Skiffin16 said:

    ***UPDATE***
    Well, the Syntroid didn't work out that well for the eight days I was on it, at this time.

    As mentioned above, my TSH levels have been progressing upward for several months, 5.6 last reading.

    I started the Synthroid Friday Dec, 10th...

    Well I have some knee problems and had to get some X-Rays etc...on the PA taking my Blood Pressure (BP), she asked if I had high BP. Ummm, not normally, it's a little high normal I guess...usually running in the 130/80 range with a pulse in the 78 - 80 range, she read it at 167/95 with my pulse over 90.

    So when I got home after getting a cortisone injection in the knee I must add, LOL. I broke out the BP machine and started monitoring it, this was around Wednesday or Thursday.

    Well, even at rest, my BP never dropped below 160+/95+, sometimes the bottom over 100, and the pulse even at rest was always over 90.

    So we called the MD and he had me to stop the Synthroid last Friday, Dec. 17.

    Since, my pulse has returned to normal for me 72 - 80, and just this morning, the BP was at 132/74 and pulse was 72. It takes several days to start working, same with getting it out of your system.

    I guess even though I was on the minimum of .25MCG, it was still more than I need. So I guess somewhere down the road we'll address it again. I'm not having nearly the issues from the Thyroid as I was from the Synthroid.

    But, it was working, I had to have a blood test that same Friday (Dec. 17), my TSH was 2.84.

    Best,
    John

    Hi John
    Taking Synthroid can cause a lot of problems in different people with their heart and PB, glad to got it before it cause any other problems.

    Take Care and Merry Christmas to you and your Wife
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #16
    Skiffin16 said:

    ***UPDATE***
    Well, the Syntroid didn't work out that well for the eight days I was on it, at this time.

    As mentioned above, my TSH levels have been progressing upward for several months, 5.6 last reading.

    I started the Synthroid Friday Dec, 10th...

    Well I have some knee problems and had to get some X-Rays etc...on the PA taking my Blood Pressure (BP), she asked if I had high BP. Ummm, not normally, it's a little high normal I guess...usually running in the 130/80 range with a pulse in the 78 - 80 range, she read it at 167/95 with my pulse over 90.

    So when I got home after getting a cortisone injection in the knee I must add, LOL. I broke out the BP machine and started monitoring it, this was around Wednesday or Thursday.

    Well, even at rest, my BP never dropped below 160+/95+, sometimes the bottom over 100, and the pulse even at rest was always over 90.

    So we called the MD and he had me to stop the Synthroid last Friday, Dec. 17.

    Since, my pulse has returned to normal for me 72 - 80, and just this morning, the BP was at 132/74 and pulse was 72. It takes several days to start working, same with getting it out of your system.

    I guess even though I was on the minimum of .25MCG, it was still more than I need. So I guess somewhere down the road we'll address it again. I'm not having nearly the issues from the Thyroid as I was from the Synthroid.

    But, it was working, I had to have a blood test that same Friday (Dec. 17), my TSH was 2.84.

    Best,
    John

    Sorry Double post
    .

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