Thyroid issues |
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briestarr 
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Joined: Aug 26 2010 Location: Reno, NV Status: Offline Points: 118 |
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 Topic: Thyroid issuesPosted: Apr 11 2012 at 1:13pm |
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For the last year (two years after the last radiation treatment) I have been steadily gaining weight! I have gained nearly 65 pounds in the last year and a half! Everyone thought I was over eating... or the steroids got to me, or I swallowed an elephant! I went to the dr and she did a complete work up on my blood. come to find out my Thyroid was through the roof! Now, I am on Thyroid medication to speed up my metabolism. I went on a low calorie diet and started moving more!! It is really hard to move when I weighed so much!! I got up to 265 pds! The dr asked if I have had joint pain... well, duh! Actually is one of the side effects of slow thyroid. Along with hair loss and weight gain! All these months.... and it is my thyroid! Anyone else have this issue after chemo??
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DX TNBC Feb 2010
age 48 Lumpectomy 2cm 6 nodes removed, all clear Chemo A/C and Taxol 8 sessions Radiation 33x BRCA 1 and 2 negative |
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nmunoz
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Joined: Jan 20 2009 Location: Miami, FL Status: Offline Points: 371 |
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Posted: Apr 11 2012 at 1:21pm |
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After my period returned post-chemo, about two years ago, it has been very irregular and that prompted my onco to order thyroid tests. They turned out to be fine, but he did mention that chemo may affect the thyroid and that is why he wanted to check mine.
Best, Natalia |
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Natalia, 38 years
Dx TNBC 10/22/08, BRCA1+ Double Mx 11/20/08 with Recon. 3/37 nodes Rads 7 weeks done 8/09 ACx4 every 2 weeks and Tx12 weeks. Avastin e/3 weeksx10 (Clinical Trial) Done Dec/09 |
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denise07
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Joined: Jun 26 2010 Location: pa Status: Offline Points: 997 |
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Posted: Apr 11 2012 at 2:59pm |
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Hi,
I had thyroid issues after my treatments gained alot of weight and was not eating that much, never had thyroid problems before,now I am on thyroid medication it took about six months and the weight started to drop now I am near my normal weight. I think the treatments wack out the thyroid.
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DX Idc 10/07,st2,gr3,2/6 lymphnodes
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Apr 11 2012 at 5:34pm |
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Dear Briestarr,
So good to hear from you again. I am glad you found the problem was with the thyroid. I don't have thyroid problems, but I know several who do.
Good luck with your weight loss program. You'll be back to normal before you know it.
God Bless,
Lillie
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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kirby
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Joined: Oct 09 2007 Location: bay area,california Status: Offline Points: 1088 |
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Posted: Apr 12 2012 at 12:52am |
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My thyroid issues were discovered by simple blood tests when I kept complaining about being tired after tx. They have had to up the dosage several times. Unfortunately weight doesn't miraculously fall off with that little pill ! I've heard that it could be radiation that can interfere with thyroid function.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44 Lumpectomy 2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3 4 rnds AC, 35 rads |
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CiGi
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Joined: May 12 2010 Location: Bound Brook, NJ Status: Offline Points: 223 |
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Posted: May 07 2012 at 12:04pm |
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Hello Briestarr - I am also having issues with my thyroid. I go for bloodwork every 3-4 months for my triglycerides and about 6 months ago one of the thyroid numbers was off the chart. Now I am on thyroid medicine too. I was also gaining weight, not fast, but no matter what I eat or exercise it was still going up. My weight has not come down yet, but it hasn't gone up either. I finished chemo 9/27/10 and rads 1/7/11.
Sorry for such a late post - haven't been on recently. Been horribly busy with work.
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Age 40, 4/28/10 lumpectomy (3 cm) TNBC Grade 3 Stage 2 0/3 nodes, TAC 6x 3 week cycles start 6/15 finish 9/27, 33 rounds rads 11/22. BRCA1 & 2 neg. Lymphedema rt hand 8/14. Joint pain Dec 2010.
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: May 07 2012 at 2:53pm |
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So glad to see this here. I've always had a low thyroid and am probably a worry wort but I've noticed the weight gain and slowing down of the energy. I'm on a low dose of thyroid and had pt pretty much forgotten about my thyroid but now I think I'll add it to my blood work tests the end of the month.
Did anyone else notice after chemo and radiation that other things were off kilter? My cholesterol doubled by the time I was done with chemo...and it takes forever to get these things back into the normal range.
M
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dx 7/08 TN 14x6.5x5.5 cm tumor
3 Lymph nodes involved, Taxol/Sunitab+AC, 5/09 dbl masectomy, path 2mm tumor removed, lymphs all clear, RAD 32 finished 9/11/09. 9/28 CT clear 10/18/10 CT clear |
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briestarr
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Joined: Aug 26 2010 Location: Reno, NV Status: Offline Points: 118 |
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Posted: May 07 2012 at 3:36pm |
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DX TNBC Feb 2010
age 48 Lumpectomy 2cm 6 nodes removed, all clear Chemo A/C and Taxol 8 sessions Radiation 33x BRCA 1 and 2 negative |
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kirby
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Joined: Oct 09 2007 Location: bay area,california Status: Offline Points: 1088 |
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Posted: May 07 2012 at 9:05pm |
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Yes, Mainy, after tx my thyroid was off and cholesterol up. I had always had very low cholesterol. I never knew was it chemo or the result of chemo-pause or just aging or combo of all.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44 Lumpectomy 2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3 4 rnds AC, 35 rads |
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CiGi
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Joined: May 12 2010 Location: Bound Brook, NJ Status: Offline Points: 223 |
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Posted: May 13 2012 at 10:27pm |
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I think it is a combo of everything. Our bodies have been poisoned and beaten down with meds that it has to affect our organs from working properly and effeciently. Just hoping that it'll be temporary and when everything repairs itself back to our new normal that the longterm affects will be slim to none.
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Age 40, 4/28/10 lumpectomy (3 cm) TNBC Grade 3 Stage 2 0/3 nodes, TAC 6x 3 week cycles start 6/15 finish 9/27, 33 rounds rads 11/22. BRCA1 & 2 neg. Lymphedema rt hand 8/14. Joint pain Dec 2010.
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briestarr
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Joined: Aug 26 2010 Location: Reno, NV Status: Offline Points: 118 |
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Posted: May 13 2012 at 11:35pm |
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This is my Facebook page! I want to start a TRIPLE NEGATIVE group. If you are interested, FB me! My THYROID medication is kicking in! I have now lost about 20 pounds! I feel so much better, and excersising everyday helps too! I walked a 5k today to support women in our community that have breast cancer. It was fun, and my first one ever!! Check it out! Moms on the Run, Reno. When I was in treatments, they paid my car payments, rent and utilities...I am very lucky that they did all those things for me, and women here in Northern Nevada. Anyone else dealing with THYROID ISSUES, I am taking notes and taking them to my dr. Seems they left this chapter out of my info on Cancer side effects.... Happy Mother's Day Ladies!!
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DX TNBC Feb 2010
age 48 Lumpectomy 2cm 6 nodes removed, all clear Chemo A/C and Taxol 8 sessions Radiation 33x BRCA 1 and 2 negative |
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Lorene
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Joined: Jul 10 2010 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 211 |
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 9:56pm |
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I didn't know this happened to so many of us. After I had finished chemo and radiation, my low thyroid and high cholesterol werefound. I'm still on thyroid med but have been able to take Lipitor every other day, so it's 5 mg of Lipitor/day.
Lorene
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dx10/01@age59,IDC TNBC, St.IIB,Gr3,2.5cm,3+nodes, epirubicin,5FU,cytoxan,33Rads,No recurrence, 2018
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TNinTN
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Joined: Apr 25 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 311 |
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Posted: Jul 09 2012 at 7:23pm |
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I just spoke with our PCP and he said that Susan's TSH level was high. He tested her for Hashimotos disease, but she was negative. He wants to start her on 25mcg of Synthroid to combat her continued fatigue and help return her TSH levels to normal. I'm planning to run this by her oncologist. Just thought I would pass this on to everyone. I wonder if it was caused by the chemo?
Martin
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Wife age 53@dx TN IDC Stage IIA 7/10; BRCA1&2 Neg; BROCA Neg; LN Neg; taxol+cisplatin+/-RAD001x12(clinical trial); lumpectomy 12/10;ACx4; 33 Rads complete 4/11; NED 5/5/11
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Lorene
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Posted: Jul 09 2012 at 9:46pm |
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Martin,
My TSH was high after I finished my chemo, as well as my cholesterol. I was started on Synthroid and a Statin. I've always assumed it was caused by the chemo.
Lorene
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dx10/01@age59,IDC TNBC, St.IIB,Gr3,2.5cm,3+nodes, epirubicin,5FU,cytoxan,33Rads,No recurrence, 2018
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Grateful for today
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Joined: Sep 21 2011 Location: U.S.A. Status: Offline Points: 1835 |
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Posted: Jul 17 2012 at 2:36am |
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Martin,
It's been a few days since you posted. So, the thyroid med situation may already be resolved. If, it hasn't............ had a few thoughts. You might want to ask the PCP: Were the other thyroid lab tests "classic" for hypothyroidism ? If only the TSH was high, you may want to consider an endocrinologist consult. In other words, was Susan's clinical picture/labs textbook presentation for hypothyroidism? Sounds like the PCP was thorough with the testing for Hashimoto's disease Some might go with an endocrine consult regardless of the labs were. Some might go with the evaluation and plan by the PCP regardless of the labs. What good thinking to run the situation by Susan's oncologist. Hoping Susan's fatigue lessens/resolves soon. With caring and positive thoughts to you and Susan, Grateful for today............Judy |
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mindy555
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Joined: Aug 13 2011 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 980 |
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Posted: Jul 17 2012 at 3:45am |
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Brie- So good they discovered your thyroid issue and you're now doing better! Congrats on the weight loss and adding in exercise. Some days with low energy it's tough to get motivated. Then I remind myself revving the heart rate plus the extra oxygen helps boost energy big-time. Even more heartening is some evidence it can possibly help in preventing recurrences too.
To say chemo and radiation wreaks havoc on our bodies is most likely an understatement. Staying active.. getting enough rest (ha- here I am up at 2:30am my time) and eating well is all key. Plus, like you, having the appropriate tests to uncover underlying problems that developed due to the trauma our bodies have endured is utmost. That way we can at least try to get back within a normal range when the numbers are off the chart. It's difficult to address these issues unless you know what they are. I believe keeping the mind positive and body strong is empowering and can only help us eventually bounce back. Again, kudos for addressing the thyroid issue w/your doctor.. AND for all the progress YOU made happen. On the 23rd I see my onc. I'll be interested to know what maladies I've developed. *ugh* |
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Dx July 2011 56 yo
Stage I IDC,TN,Grade 3 Grew to Stage IIa- No ev of node involve- BRCA1+ chondroid metaplasia Daughter also BRCA1+ Mass grew on Taxol FEC 6x better BMX 3/19/12 pCR NED BSO 6/2012 |
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TNinTN
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Joined: Apr 25 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 311 |
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Posted: Jul 17 2012 at 2:44pm |
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Thanks everyone. Judy, I spoke with our PCP again yesterday and he said that his lab classified it as mild hypothyroidism and that treatment was optional at this point. He had suggested a low dose of Synthroid to see if it might help Susan's fatigue and memory loss problems. We're waiting to hear back from her oncologist. I'm afraid that the memory loss problems are the result of chemo brain, but I know from my own experience that the thyroid can also be to blame. Perhaps it's a combination of the two. Sometimes the memory problems frighten me. I went by her work one day when she wasn't expecting me and waved at her and called to her from my car and she didn't recognize me at first. This morning we left to go pick blueberries and she forgot her shoes. She often has trouble calling up words and yesterday couldn't remember which chemos she had (maybe that's a good thing). It's not every day, just occassionally, but sometimes it scares me and it always frustrates her tremendously. I will keep you posted as to any new developments and thanks for all the great suggestions.
Martin Edited by TNinTN - Jul 17 2012 at 3:09pm |
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Wife age 53@dx TN IDC Stage IIA 7/10; BRCA1&2 Neg; BROCA Neg; LN Neg; taxol+cisplatin+/-RAD001x12(clinical trial); lumpectomy 12/10;ACx4; 33 Rads complete 4/11; NED 5/5/11
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CiGi
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Joined: May 12 2010 Location: Bound Brook, NJ Status: Offline Points: 223 |
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Posted: Jul 18 2012 at 10:45am |
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My doctor has me on very low does of Synthroid as well. It seems to be working, my thyroid levels have dropped to normal in 3 months. My triglycerides are still high (600+), but they were higher so maybe with my thyroid working better, maybe that'll help with the triglycerides. The funny thing is that my cholesterol is somewhat normal (LDL under 90, total about 200 or less). I am supposed to take Lovasa and it turns my stomach horribly. I force myself to take it, but I never do it regularly. I even refrigerated it and it helped a little, but the fishy 'vurps' are gross. I'm supposed to take 4 (1 gram) a day. I'm lucky to get one down and I've never had any issues taking any meds.
Briestarr - keep up the motivation and weight loss!! Glad to hear your achievement :)
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Age 40, 4/28/10 lumpectomy (3 cm) TNBC Grade 3 Stage 2 0/3 nodes, TAC 6x 3 week cycles start 6/15 finish 9/27, 33 rounds rads 11/22. BRCA1 & 2 neg. Lymphedema rt hand 8/14. Joint pain Dec 2010.
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KatieMarie
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Joined: Jun 05 2009 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 80 |
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Posted: Jul 23 2012 at 6:44pm |
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There is a lot of interesting information at the website Stop the Thyroid Madness.
They are not into the Synthroid over there, more into the dessicated thyroid porducts like Armour or Naturethroid.
I went on thyroid meds before I got TN. My doc also put me on iodine but I didn't take it because it gave me acne.
I have resolved those issues with companion nutrients and am now back on iodine with the thyroid meds.
There is one doc that thinks people that go on thyroid med without proper iodine supplementation (not just salt) get cancer. And here I am. I was on thyroid meds without iodine and I got cancer. I can't say this is why I got it, since plenty of other ladies go on thryoid meds and don't get cancer. But it will always make me wonder.
I keep an eye on the iodine yahoo group, the moderator got rid of her thyroid cancer by iodine supplementation. At Breastcancerchoices.org they are into painting the breast with lquid iodine called lugol's. I don't think TN ladies could do that, with it so aggressive.
The premise of our population being iodine deficient is the competition of iodine with other halides...flouride, chlorine and bromide. Those other one take spots on our cell moelcules that iodine is supposed to use.
I am all for thyroid supplementation but it might be worth it to look at the some of the other aspects, most docs do not cover these issues as they receive very little nutrition education in school.
Just my two cents! Thanks ladies!
Katie
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IDC dx 4/24/09, Age 40
Two surgeries, three tumors: 1.4cm,4mm,2mm; Ki67=75 Stage 1, no node involvement, clean margins BRCA 1/2 negative, Chemo: AC dose dense then Taxol dose dense, then rads |
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123Donna
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Joined: Aug 24 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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Posted: Aug 29 2012 at 7:25pm |
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Ladies,
If you've had radiation, especially to the clavicle (neck) area, get your thyroid levels check periodically. I had 40 rads last year, including the clavicle and super clavicle areas. Right after radiation, my levels were normal. In April, my thyroid level was just a little above the normal range. Yesterday, I had another blood test and now it's hypothyroidism. It took a little over a year following radiation for the thyroid problems to present itself. I knew this was a high probability with the radiated areas. My cholesterol and triglycerides are still normal. So my primary doc has put me on thyroid medicine. Funny thing is when I read the symptoms of this, it mimics many of our complaints following chemo and radiation. I gained about 8 - 10 pounds with chemo and have been struggling to get those pounds off. I'm tired most of the time and have achy joints. Donna
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15 |
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