Anyone with Thyroid problems?

[kk1]

Had my annual physcial last week and my GP called to say my thyroid does not appear to be functioning properly. Guess that helps to explain the 35 extra lbs I have gained in the last 18 monhts. I have to go in for more blood tests today. She wondered if it was a result of the Zoladex and was going to research thing. Anyone else with Thyroid problems?

ps. on the bright side my brain MRI was all clear! yeah.


kk1

age 47
stageIV
3 week herceptin
zoladex
aromasiin

Which is an auto-immune disease of the thyroid. I have had it for years, way before the BC. I'm not sure if it will get worse with the chemo, but who knows. Just another joy in the life of me.

I also have hasimotos contributing to low thyroid (hypo) which I had several years before dx of bc. Stage 1, er-pr-her2+++

[Barbara2]

KK1, my thyroid is sluggish also and has been for a year or so. I believe the last test was 4.5, with 5 being the cutoff for dealing with the problem. Weight gain has been on the increase for me too. About 15 pounds in 8 months. I'm also taking Arimidex and Herceptin, which may add to the increase.

My onc suggested that I see an endrocronologist for the thyroid problem and also to see what he would suggest for my recent test showing a decrease in bone density. I'm not sure why the oncologist is not giving me something to prevent more bone loss. Will have to question him more the next time I see him. I asked him (through the nurses) if I should be getting something to prevent the next step, osteoporosis, but he said no.

What number did your thyroid show?

I went through 4 rounds of AC and 7 weeks of radiation. I felt terribly tired starting at week 5 of radiation and was told I would feel better within a week after radiation stopped- I didn't. I also gained about 15 pounds and was a mess. I had a blood test that determined a thyroid problem. I was put on Synthroid and felt better within one week. I am still carrying extra weight and cannot lose it even by exercising one hour a day. I am on Aromasin, which may be part of the problem.

[jhandley]

I had a multi nodular goitre dx in 95 and symptoms of an underactive thyroid. I have since discovered that women who have goitres have a higher rate of BC.
Jackie

I developed sudden hypothyroidism 5 mos. after I started Arimidex and 11 mos. after radiation to that area. At same time my blood levels went whacky. My AST (one of liver function tests) was elevated. My testosterone level doubled. Then it went to 6 times normal although that may have been a lab error. My bilirubin was above normal. And, my CEA went above normal. This all occurred about 5 or 6 weeks after the last of 3 unexplained attacks of acute pancreatitis. (One week after last pancreatitis attack, all blood levels had been normal). At time I began having thyroid problems I became extremely exhausted--bone tired and my muscles became fatigued and ached. I also had problems reading--eyes got so tired and couldn't follow line in book. It was very strange.
It was my internist, however, who had wanted me to go on thyroid med--initially when this all happened. My onc. had ordered a PET scan. However, after internist recommended I take thyroid I called the onc. He said to me--"are you SURE you're hypothyroid?" Huh--why is he asking me. He then rechecked blood levels and said to go ahead and take the thyroid medication. Next he rescinded the PET scan and referred me to an endocrinologist. My husband called and 'argued' w/him and he put back order for PET. That showed some activity in submandibular area--but that was not further explored--plus something in lower back/spine.
I was put on thyroid med. and my levels returned to normal in about 6? weeks or so. I also stopped Herceptin--year was up--and had complete hysterectomy/oopherectomy. About the same time that all this was happening I developed a burning in pelvic area--same type of burning pain I had had at time of b.c. dx.
Although I had not previously had an abnormal pap, a pap test was done at my pre-op before the hysterectomy. The results of that showed my first abnormal pap--ever. Pathology report from hysterectomy, though, was benign.

[jessica]

Hi~After a year of chemo, I con't on weekly Herceptin & my weight just started creeping up. To the tune of 18 lbs in 4 mos. I was tragically tired all the time, I'd fall asleep at stop lights& couldn't get thru the day without a long, deep-sleep, nap! My onc kept saying "You look fine.Do you exercise? Are you eating more?" I wanted to scream "I'M A PILATES INSTRUCTOR FOR GOD's SAKE! I'M AT THE GYM EVERY DAY!" My onc also thought I was depressed & kept suggesting I go on an antidepressant.I agreed at one point b/c I knew that Wellbutrin made you feel really speedy & was a good appetite suppresant. Ofcourse it didn't work!
I did go see an endocrinologist b/c I thought I was hypothyroid, but I wasn't. Add'l test showed that I am hypoglycemic and INSULIN RESISTANT. As it turns out, IR may be a secondary effect to long term exposure to chemotherapy. The muscles become insulin resistant, so much of what you eat is not metabolized into energy, just stored as fat. So you're literally, fat and tired.AND, to add insult to injury, steroids increases insulin resistance-so for those of us on pre-meds for chemo, the tendency to be/become insulin resistant is even greater.(I think there's something in the recent edition of CURE mag on obesity/syndrome X/insulin resistance). There was info presented at ASCO in 2004 about this.I was so frustrated w/my onc for not being aware of this-especially the steroids part.
Regardless, I'm on glucophage (aka-metformin) now-500mg bid-I've lost all but 5 lbs of the weight I gained (within 6 mos)& I have lots of energy again.I'm grateful to have found an endocrinologist that had the patience & knowledge to help me out. I was getting really discouraged about the weight gain.
Hope this info is helpful. I'll try & find those studies investigate a link between IR & increased recurrence & mortality from BC & Colon Ca.

I to now have hasimotos. I was due for reconstruction surgery, I previously noticed a lump on my neck and had a scan which diagnosed thyroid involvement. I mentioned this to the plastics guy who added a thyroid test with the other pre surgery blood tests, they don't usually do this but as it turns out, my thyroid was way over active and he would not do surgery until stable, that broke my heart, but at the same time prevented me from dieing on the operation table, shifts in thyroid function while under anesthitic can cause a heart attack. So with this informaiton I had another blood test and this time it was underactive, all in the matter of one week. I also have a mixed connective tissue disorder which this now falls into that category. My younger sister has had hashimotos for some time but I only developed it in 2003, the downside was that while they tried to regulate my thyroid with medicaiton I went into heart failure in 3 valves, apparently I was suppose to die but someone had me in the bigger scheme of things and I am still around. This time in hospital was the worst I have felt in my entire cancer treatment which has stretched back to 1998 and has been non stop. I actually wanted to die, then after 7 days I came good and my thyroid is functioning normally with Thyroxine, I have to have regular blood tests to adjust my drug doses, out of that I now have a chronic heart problem and nothing to do with Herceptin, my left ventricle was and still is above 50% but I have to have regular echos and a visit to the heart specialist every 3 months, just to add to my regular BC treatments. I think my thyroid was upset by all of the radiation I had to that area, but then again I already have the connective tissue disorder, so I really don't know.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[StephN]

Hi Everyone -
Well, the above stories are textbook examples of why we really must be our own best advocate! We just cannot rely on our various doctors to help us out with ALL of our complaints. Seems they want to cover the "big" ones then let us fend for ourselves with the "minor" ones. Which may not be so minor!
We just have to keep at them like a little Bulldog at the ankles that won't let go (what my Mom says about me sometimes!).

I, too, thought perhaps I had a goofed up thyroid after all my chemos the second time around. It was taking a very long time to get my strength back, and my med onc did agree that we should check my thyroid. It came out in the normal range. Thank goodness, as I have a number of non-cancer friends who are having a very hard time regulating their thyroids, especially at menopause time.

My younger sister had Grave's disease while in her late 20's, but she got over that.

[StephN]

Here is the link to what I hope to copy and paste below.

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/article...m_000038_5.htm

Read down a ways and there is a reference on Breast Cancer. Also some links for more info in this condition at the bottom.

WHO GETS HYPOTHYROIDISM?

Overall Prevalence and General Risk Factors

Studies suggest that between 4% and 17% of the adult American population have subclinical hypothyroidism (low blood levels of thyroid hormone but no or mild symptoms) but that less than 2% overall have full-blown hypothyroidism. Older women, however, have a significant risk. Mild thyroid failure occurs eventually in 4% to 21% of women and 3% to 16% of men, with the risk increasing with age.

Women. In all age groups, women have a higher risk than men, with the difference being significant after age 34. In one study, nearly 6% of women over 60 had hypothyroidism, and some experts estimate that as many as 20% of women in this age group have a subclinical condition. Because the symptoms of hypothyroidism and menopause are so similar, hypothyroidism may easily be missed.

Women are at much higher risk for hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy, which affects the thyroid in a number of ways. Iodine requirements increase because of the needs of both the mother and the fetus. Reproductive hormones cause changes in thyroid hormone levels. Often, however, hypothyroidism occurs because women develop antibodies to their own thyroid during pregnancy, causing an inflammation of the thyroid after delivery. Postpartum autoimmune, or subacute, thyroiditis occurs in up to 5% of pregnant women and tends to develop between four and 12 months after delivery. This is a limited condition and nearly always clears up. However, one study suggested that nearly 25% of women with postpartum thyroiditis developed hypothyroidism three to five years later.

Age. The elderly are most susceptible, but hypothyroidism can affect people of all ages. For example, one out of every 3,000 to 4,000 infants is born with congenital hypothyroidism; female infants are at higher risk than males.

Ethnicity. African-Americans may be less likely to have thyroid disease than Caucasians.

Genetic Defects

Heredity plays a role in both underactive and overactive thyroid. About half of those with close relatives with chronic autoimmune disease have antibodies to the thyroid. (Antibodies are the immune system's agents for attacking specific foreign substances, such as microbes.) Thyroid disease will often skip generations; someone with an underactive thyroid may have healthy parents but have grandparents who had thyroid troubles. Some people inherit a tendency to thyroid problems but never become ill, while others become very sick. As many as half of those with Turner's syndrome, one of the most common genetic diseases in women, have hypothyroidism, usually in the form of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Smoking

Smoking triples the risk for developing thyroid disease, particularly autoimmune hyper- and hypothyroidism. According to one study, smoking also increases the negative effects of hypothyroidism, possibly including unhealthy cholesterol levels, in patients who already have the condition.

Medical Conditions Associated with Hypothyroidism

People with certain medical conditions have a higher risk for hypothyroidism. Among them are the following:

• Autoimmune diseases. People with many autoimmune diseases have a higher risk for hypothyroidism. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes poses a higher risk and is a special problem since hypothyroidism can affect insulin requirements. Women with other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis, are also at higher risk for hypothyroidism. Pregnant women with autoimmune conditions have a 25% risk for hypothyroidism during gestation.
• Gout. Hypothyroidism and gout often coexist and may have biologic mechanisms in common.
• Addison’s disease.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Breast cancer. Some association exists between breast cancer and increased levels of thyroid autoantibodies, indicating that many women with breast cancer may be susceptible to hypothyroidism.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Anorexia or bulimia. People with eating disorders are at risk for hypothyroidism; in these cases, however, reduced thyroid function may be an adaptation to malnutrition and therefore some experts think only that the eating disorder should be treated, not hypothyroidism.

Many drugs affect the thyroid, so anyone being treated for a chronic disease, taking thyroid medication, and at risk for a thyroid disorder should discuss the impact these drugs may have on their thyroid.

Physical Factors Associated with Hypothyroidism Factors

Hypothyroidism is associated with premature gray hair and left-handedness.

* WHAT IS HYPOTHYROIDISM?
* WHAT CAUSES HYPOTHYROIDISM?
* WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM?
* HOW IS HYPOTHYROIDISM DIAGNOSED?
* WHO GETS HYPOTHYROIDISM?
* HOW SERIOUS IS HYPOTHYROIDISM?
* HOW IS HYPOTHYROIDISM TREATED?
* WHERE ELSE CAN INFORMATION ABOUT HYPOTHYROIDISM BE OBTAINED
Review Date: 9/30/2002Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Well-Connected reports; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

I don't know the ins and outs of thyroid disorders but I have heard that normal tests aren't always accurate. Supposedly there are newer tests out there. Additionally, a neighbor did not get an accurate diagnosis until an MRI was done. Just some things to keep in mind if tests are "normal" without an alternative explanation.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 2 weeks after being diagnosed with BC. It was my breast surgeon who 1st found the nodule and ordered the biopsy. I keep being told they are unrelated but it is really hard to believe. I had partial mastectomy on 7/29 and my thyroid removed on 8/15. These posts have me worried a bit as I am fully dependent on synthroid and am worried about impact of chemo on my 'artificial' thryoid system. Everyone keeps saying there will be no impact because of the chemo (started monday) but am still concerned. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

patricia

[geraldine]

In aug 2001, I was dxd with grade 3 aggressive BC. I took part in the Taxotere clinical trial here in scotland. I had 8 treatments over 24 weeks, signing a disclaimer after the 6th course. It was a harsh chemo from the word Go and several problems arose. After Taxotere I had 24 x rads. Over and above the extra weight I gained, I had bother with eyes, ears, nose and throat i.e swollen tongue, sinus problems, no mucus in nose or ears, sight distorted. It wasn't till I was having rads that a Dr decided to check my blood and after a few tests and a second oppinion, discovered my Thyroid was non existant. They tell me it is the only part of the body, the brain, does not no is not working . I am now on Thyroxine for life. Because of the adverse affect of Taxotere, I couldn't have Taxol (sister drug) when i discovered a second lump under my collar bone 2 years ago and had to have Vanoralbine/Herceptin instead. Thank God it worked and still is. Keep Well and keep strong Geraldine

[mamacze]

Dear Geraldine,
What an incredibly difficult time you have had; I hope you are feeling better now with the Thyroxine. I too have had hashimotos and now take synthroid...hmmm it looks like we are all witnesses to a trend here...
Love Kim from CT

[al from Canada]

Hello Ladies,

Just to warn you but I am about to go on a tear...

This is the stuff that REALLY pisses me off! There is so much information out there on chemo + cancer + insulin resistance...when are they (oncologists) going to get it?? The problem is that oncologists figure we should be soooo happy when we wake-up the next morning...why should we bitch if we gain an extra few pounds, have lost our sex drive, have chemo-brain, are tired all the time....need I go on?

Thyroid issues are the tip of the iceberg. The fact is that very few doctors treat cancer and are sympathetic to their patient's basic needs such as self-esteem, body image, etc. They figure that this should be secondary to the primary goal which is living....when in fact it is a part of living!

We all know there is a problem with bone density BUT.. where are all the presciptions for actonel or fosamax?? We know that metformin fights insulin resistance, as well as fights cancer and is synergistic with chemo...we know that steriods cause sugar spikes but where are the solutions? There are none in their eyes because the problems don't exist; because the fight is with cancer!

The solution: (to quote Steph), be your own advocate...anyone who regularily reads this forum is aware of the problems and side effects and also knows the solutions and if you don't, just ask.
I feel that quality of life is paramont and it is up to you, the patient, to ensure your quality of life is looked after. Your oncologist may keep you alive but, just like in the real world, we all have to look after our qualty of life. Even if that requires educating our doctors. Cancer may only affect you as an individual but it is the quality of your life that has global ramifications. If you are sad and depressed, you family will be sad and depressed.

Enough said.......just remember that oncology IS NOT holistic medicine!

Take care all,
Al

[geraldine]

Hi KK1, Yes some people do have thyroid problems during and after treatment. 4 years ago while on a clinical trial for Taxotere I had bother with my body temp., my sight, taste, hearing and sinus. I was constantly told it was just a reaction that would rectify itself. After finishing treatment, all these symptoms persisted, they got steadily worse. Eventually 6months later, while giving more blood for more tests, the haemotologist decided to check and discovered my thyroid was non existant. I am now on Thyroxine for life, which keeps everything working as best as pos. I still struggle with weight but I can cope with that. I hope everthing works out for you. Glad to hear your scan was clear, keep strong and keep well Geraldine

[kansasrose]

I just spent a lot of time reading this thread. And, I am mad. This is a major problem, it seems, for so many of us! I think that it is true that doctor may have the attitude that we should just be glad we are alive, and get over it. Well, severe fatigue, weight gain, stiffness, swollen ankles, lymphedema.... I think this is serious. A recent trip for scans show that I am 'clean as a whistle' but that doesn't solve the weight problem and fatigue issue. I had Graves Disease about 5 years previous to BC diagnosis. I think it is siginficant that so many of us have had problems with thyroid, diabete (insulin dependent) and that it needs to be reviewed.

I am going to see my primary care oncologist to have bloodwork done for thyroid and glucose function. I suspect something is up.

Rose

[edie]

When I was telling my med onc that I was tired and gaining weight still, she told me to get my thyroid checked because sometimes when we are getting radiation they may "cook" a little close to the thyroid, thus, it may not work as well as it did. My blood work came back ok, but I'll persist, hope you all do to.
Edie

[al from Canada]

Dear frieds,
I have read a fair amount about thyroid issues and there is one school of thought, and a credible one, that current thyroid tests do not pick-up hypo-thyroidism at a sub-clinical level although; that sub-clinical level may have just as profound effects as one with a clinical diagnosis. What I mean by sub-clinical is a thyroid function that is sub-normal BUT is not measuerable with current testing methods; think of it as a tumor too small to be detected with a mamograph.
I have attached an article on testing for sub-clinical thyroid preformance:
http://www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/thyroid.htm
Although this article is on a supplier's website, I believe it has merit.
Regards,
Al