Thyroid Disease Poll - factor in bc?

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KPolasek
KPolasek Member Posts: 184
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I have IDC triple negative.  I have always had a problem with my thyroid.  Several years ago I was told that I probably have Hashimoto's Disease and that was confirmed and few months ago.  My question for you all is this....

Do you have a thyroid issue?  Low or High?  Hashimoto's disease produces antibiodies that attack the thyroid gland and one presents as hypothyroidism.

I just found an article about molecular iodine at the folowing site that looks interesting ...

 http://www.jbc.org/cgi/content/abstract/281/28/19762

I guess maybe I am grasping at straws but something goes wacky and we get bc ....

Blessings,

K

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited August 2008

    Seems to me, and do NOT quote me, but I thought I read somewhere that they are thinking perhaps these autoimmune diseases may be linked with BC, but I certainly don't remember where I read it or if it was reputable even. Just one of those many searches over the last several months.

    Yes, I was diagnosed the same day as BC dx. Hashimoto's it is, with low or hypothyroid.  Started treatment the day of my mast, oct 25, 2007. :(

    Holy moley!  I totally did NOT understand that article! Sorry, couldn't tell you which way it went! :D

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  • g94u67
    g94u67 Member Posts: 436
    edited August 2008

    Hi,

    I had hyperthyroidism back in 1992 with removal of 2 benign cold nodules (2 benign tumors). When I had a 2nd opinion, the endocrinologist indicated that I could acquire Leukemia in 10 years. I did not have my thryoid killed off. I fell back in normal range and to date it is okay.

    I too find it interesting that it's been 16 years after and now I have IDC and am a triple negative. No one in my family has bc. I am the first.  I do believe there is a correlation to having had a hyperthyroid and my cancer.

    I too did not understand the article. It was very technical!

    Thx for the info. Let me know if you find additional data on the subject.

    Jeannine

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  • QueenSansaStark
    QueenSansaStark Member Posts: 207
    edited August 2008

    Not triple neg - but I have Hashi's, am hypothyroid, and take Synthroid. I am a BC survivor. Mom - Hashi's, hypo, takes Synthroid, BC survivor. Mom's mom, her sister and her mother (my great-grandma) all Hashi's, all except g-grandma on Synthroid. Thankfully no cancer.

    I wouldn't be surprised if there is a BC/thyroid link.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited August 2008

    No, no thyroid here.  I am 10 years out, and doing okay.  But no thyroid.

    Hugs, Shirlann

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  • gramof4
    gramof4 Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2008

    I am hypothyroid, been on Synthroid and Cytomel for years and years.....

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  • Msklapkin
    Msklapkin Member Posts: 208
    edited August 2008

    When I was 40 I was extrmemly hyperthyroid- had hormonal storm.  3 radioactive iodine treatments later my thuroid slowed down and am now on synthroid.

    fast forward 10 years- IDC triple neg, BRCA2+

    fast forward 3 years- benign huge thyroid nodule

    I know the iodine treatment did not help my BC, but I think it is all related.  I have spoken to too many BC patients who have thryroid issues

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited August 2008

    Google "thyroid disease or cancer and breast cancer".There are finding a link between the two.  I know two women who had bc and their daughters have thyroid cancer. I also have spoke to other on this site who have bc and thyroid cancer.  Also read breastcancerchoices.org, many women on this site take a form of Iodine to support our thyroid.

    Flalady

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited August 2008

    I started a thread about BC and AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES like LUPUS, RA, THYROID, etc. in the mets section a few months back. There were lots of responders saying they had both BC and and AUTOIMMUNE disease. AI diseases seem to be relatively common in the general population, so it's hard to say if my informal poll showed a trend. I did try to find some data through "Dr. Google" but didn't come up with too much. It is a subject that interests me because I was misdiagnosed with LUPUS and treated for it several years before being dx'ed with mets at my initial bc diagnosis.

    I'd be interested to see links to more information as I came up empty-handed when looking before.

    (((HUGS)))
    Diane

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  • pinoideae
    pinoideae Member Posts: 1,271
    edited August 2008

    Wow, I just googled thyroid disease and cancer or breast cancer.  I could not believe it.  And then I started to think, the thyroid creates a metabolic hormone.  If that is out of whack a whole bunch of stuff could happen. All I know is, once I started taking Synthroid I was running like a fine tuned engine again.  I remember when I was diagnosed with bc, I was extremely fatigued at the time.  Totally worn out.  I was having difficulty keeping up with daily activities.  KPolasek, I didn't understand the article.  Hopefully someone will come along that can interpret it.  Good threads KPolasek and Badboob.

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited August 2008

    I had my thyroid affected from the rads I got. I take synthroid now. It lit up again on my most recent PET so I am sure they will send me for another bx on it.

    I think since the chemo wakes up dormant conditions anything can happen.. just like the chemo induced arthritis.

    This is all another little item they left out of the BC owner's manual! 

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  • KPolasek
    KPolasek Member Posts: 184
    edited August 2008

    Hashimoto's can also create hyperthyroidism, I forgot to mention that.  When I was 25 yrs old I was diagnosed with endometriosis.  My fertility specialist in Houston, Texas diagnosed me within 30 seconds of an exam and from my medical questionnaire.  I had, had an unexplainable fever off and on for about a year and spent a week in the hospital with every test on could imagine at the time.  My fertility specialist said that was common .... my body was reacting to the endometrial tissue what backed up through my fallopian tubes and out into my stomach cavity. AT THE TIME I was diagnosed I was told by my fertility specialist on staff endocrinologist ... my thyroid was not working well at the time.

     At 29 I was told that I needed an immediate hysterectomy because my disease had progressed so far.  I did have a dtr at the age of  26 yrs.  Breast fed for a short time.

    I was diagnosed with IDC at the age of 54 yrs old. 

     Endometriosis may be an autoimmune disease ...  anyone on this thread have endometriosis?

    Here is an interesting statement from http://www.endofacts.com/understanding/

    The Retrograde Menstruation Theory

    This is the most widely accepted theory for the cause of endometriosis. During "retrograde menstruation," a woman's menstrual flow backs up through her fallopian tubes, implants in her abdomen, and grows. Some experts believe that all women experience retrograde menstruation, but that women with endometriosis may have either a hormonal or an immune system problem, and as a result, the implants are allowed to grow.

    The Genetic Predisposition Theory

    This theory suggests that endometriosis may be inherited-a woman who has female relatives with endometriosis may be more likely to develop the condition herself.

    Other Theories

    Another theory suggests that endometrial tissue is distributed from a woman's uterus to other parts of her body by the blood or the lymphatic system.

    Yet another theory suggests that endometriosis is caused by coelemic metaplasia, or cells transforming into endometrial cells, perhaps after stimulation by menstrual blood.

    My grandson wants to play cards ... I will post more later.

    As far as thyroid .... many people do not know that they have a thyroid disease.  My new endocrinologist says that most labs follow an antiquated scale.  Most docs do not know how to diagnose thyoid disease .... my first endo said that my thyroid gland was almost not working ... my gen physician looked at the same numbers and said that  I did not need thyroid meds because my thyroid test was within normal range.  Long story ..... but my endo almost fell out of his chair when I told him about my gen physician's response to the test.

    Gotta go ... take all .... I am praying for all of us who have this beast in our lives.

     Blessings,

    K

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  • KPolasek
    KPolasek Member Posts: 184
    edited August 2008

    Oh I forgot to say that I had a thyroid nodule (over 2 cm) light up on my PET scan ... I had it removed after chemo and rads and it was benign.  Scary ....

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited September 2008

    Interesting thread... I  not triple neg, but I did have a thyroidectomy for what turned out to be a benign nodule in 1980, and was told I would be on Synthroid for the rest of my life.  However, when I became pregnant a couple of years later, my thyroid level seemed to right itself, which, at the time, I attributed to all the vitamins I was using, especially B-Complex.  I've never needed Synthroid again, but wham -- 26 years later -- bc!  My sister, a bc survivor who happens to be in bc research and also takes thyroid med has occasionally mentioned a suspected thyroid link as well.   Deanna

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  • Alex517
    Alex517 Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2008

    My thyroid was working just fine before I was diagnosed with BC, but three months ago my internist ordered a TSH and I was hypothyroid, this diagnosis 6 months out of chemo and 3 months post rads which included the third field.  I am currently not on synthroid, but waiting to see if my thyroid function comes back.  FreeT4 test in 2 weeks...

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  • KPolasek
    KPolasek Member Posts: 184
    edited September 2008

    This is a personal opinion ... not a medical opinion because I am not in that field ... but I can't help but think that people with autoimmune diseases are at risk of cancer ... it only makes sense that it is linked as the reason we get cancer is because our immune system fails .... auto-immune ... immune system .... auto-immune ... immune system.

    And, then my question is why do we have auto-immune diseases ... what is at the root of it?  Inquiring minds want to know.

    Blessings,

    kay

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  • pinoideae
    pinoideae Member Posts: 1,271
    edited September 2008

    Good question KPolasek.

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  • kmartin
    kmartin Member Posts: 78
    edited September 2008

    Yes, I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, leading to hypothyroidism at age 34. Now TNBC, Stage II, at age 48.

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  • EGAL
    EGAL Member Posts: 539
    edited September 2008

    I didn't have a thyroid condition until after my treatments.  Chemo, then radiation.   I think there is a relationship between radiation and thyroid problems.  I think it fried mine!  Now on Synthroid for the rest of my life and it took a long time for dr. to straighten out the meds.

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  • njoylife
    njoylife Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2008

    Very Interesting.  I had fibroid cysts and endometriosis on my uterus in 2002. Had a hysterectomy.

    Diagnosed with triple negative bc 2007.  I noticed my voice changing during chemo and felt like something in my throat.  Sure enough, first PET after rads done, my thyroid was a concern.  Had a goiter.  Endocrinologists says Hashimotos. He also said it was probably due to rads. Put me on synthroid 3 months ago.  Much improvement but not sure what is side effects from treatment or new symptoms or what.Yell

    Also now having symptoms of IBC. Primary thinks it is. Going to Onc on 12/09.

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  • jerseymaria
    jerseymaria Member Posts: 770
    edited December 2008

    hi, i just wanted to say that i was dx'd with hashimoto's at age 21 and have been on meds ever since.  dx'd with autoimmune disease at 47 and her2+++ bc at age 61.  connection who knows?

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