Peripheral Neuropathy and Hypothyroidism

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bones821
bones821 Member Posts: 7
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I am 3 yrs. post radiation/chemo for H&N cancer and have just been diagnosed w/ hypothyroidism because of an elevated TSH number of 16.9.  All other thyroid numbers are normal. The presription is for Synthroid, 25mg once per day. I feel great and the only symptoms of hypothyroidism I have are severe stiffness in both hands and both feet,joints and  some muscle weakness.  This stiffness and muscle weakness was diagnosed from the gitgo as peripheral neuropathy from the cisplatinin and I've learned to adapt with a cane for walking and a few other tricks I've learned.  However, now I wonder if I may have both conditions.  Has anyone else experienced anything similar to a combination of PN and hypothyroidism? I hesitate to get my hopes up that this very severe disability in my hands and feet might be related to my thyroid, but hopes springs eternal.  Anybody want to pass along their insight?  Thank you, all.

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  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
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    Welccome

    to thet hypothyroid forum:)   Many of us have this problem.  the symptoms can be related, but only time will tell.  A TSH of 16 is significantly abnormal.  You are now on replacement, but there is nothing yet to prove that this dose (which is 25 micrograms, by the way) will be enough.  You will need a follow up TSH in about a month, then you may need your dose adjusted.  Following normalization of your tSH, I would give myself a few more months to see how my other symptoms respond.  Only then will you know whether thyroid was the culprit or not.

     

    best to you

     

    Pat

     

    BTW, my replacement is right at ten times the amount you are on.  It took that much to regulate my TSH,  though it is a whopping dose.

  • PJ47
    PJ47 Member Posts: 376
    #3
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    Sounds like they are going "low and slow"

    with your dose, I take 88 micrograms to function.  I do not have the PN so cannot provide any personal experience about that issue and do not know if there is any relationship.  Hope you find your answers,

    PJ

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #4
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    Hypothyroidism

    My hypothyroidism is not because of any treatment i've had. Mine goes back to birth, I only have half of the thyroid gland and been on replacement for over 50 years. 25mcg is a lose dose and like others have said it will be rechecked in a month or two and then they might have to adjust it. I've been on synthroid 112mcg for over twenty years and befor I took Armor 180mg.  True thyroid like Armor is in MG and the synthetic is MCG. The amount they gave you might be enough to get yours back in line and might not need it anylonger. Some meds really effect the thyroid. Antiacid can make it drop too low and others can rase it. I had to take more when I was on some antihistomine. Sometimes we just get older and need thyroid and it's not because of RADs.  Best of luck and Welcome to the group.

    wmc 

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #5
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    thyroid

    My thyroid is getting worse every time I go for a CT Scan.  They said it was not bad enough to get thyroid medication, but will be soon.  My hands get numb a lot so I don't know if it is related to the thyroid or not.  I will be interested to see how you do.  I wish I did not have to get on thyroid medication, but  it looks like I will in the next 6 months if the current decline in my thyroid continues.  Ann

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
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    I have neuropathy in my hands

    and feet....that was from the Cisplatin.  I also have hypothryroidism, which to my understanding is from the rads.  They started me out on 25 micrograms, and am now up to 50 micrograms.....They now check it about every 3 months, but it was monthly in the beginning. 

    p

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
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    phrannie51 said:

    I have neuropathy in my hands

    and feet....that was from the Cisplatin.  I also have hypothryroidism, which to my understanding is from the rads.  They started me out on 25 micrograms, and am now up to 50 micrograms.....They now check it about every 3 months, but it was monthly in the beginning. 

    p

    two separate issues

    My guess is you have two separate issues going on. The radiation damaged your thyroid as it does in all of us hence the snythroid medication. An easy and cheap and plentiful medication to take. Not so easy to adjust as you will learn. The neurapathy more than likely stems from the platnium based chemo, namely Cisplatin which has a track record of neurapathy as a symptom. For comparison I'm on .75 mcg of synthroid identical to my dog who has no history of radiation.

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