Correlation between bc and thyroid issues?

vbishop
vbishop Member Posts: 616
edited July 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

I had thyroid cancer 15 years ago (now cured) and was diagnosed with BC in September.  Several women I have talked to that have bc also have thyroid issues.

Any chance there is a correlation?  Thyroid issues in women is not uncommon, so maybe the number of women with thyroid issues that also have breast cancer is just a fluke.

Do any of you have diagnosed thyroid issues as well?  Pre or post bc diagnosis? 

Thanks!

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited June 2014

    I did not have cancer of the thyroid but when I was 30 and pregnant with my middle child I was very sick for close to 6 months with what was diagnosed as sub-acute thyroiditis. It felt like I had the flu for 6 months with fever, chills and aches that wouldn't go away.  Correlation?  Who knows?

    Amy

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited June 2014

    Thanks for responding Amy.  It just seems that everyone I talk to recently that has breast cancer is also being treated for thyroid issues.  I know my thyroid hormones went nuts after my bc surgery and we are just now getting the levels in check....course, I didn't know there was an issue (other than I was gaining a crazy amount of weight for no reason) until my annual thyroid checkup in March.  Hopefully, we have the levels back to normal.  I will know in a couple of weeks.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited June 2014

    They have been monitoring thyroid nodules for me for about three years.  Now bc.  My endocrinologist admits that they do not know for certain whether or not there is a correlation as both thyroid and breast issues are so common in women.  But now that I have had radiation, he is watching very closely.

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  • MMSS
    MMSS Member Posts: 103
    edited June 2014

    I had thyroid cancer over 30 years before I had BC. Who knows? My daughter who is an NP in endocrine says that they get patients all the time who go out of whack on their thyroid function from a serious unrelated illness or surgery. I had a terrible time after a knee replacement. Most of the time it corrects itself in a few months and they usually don't treat unless the patient is symptomatic which I was. Upping my Synthroid dose for a few weeks fixed it.

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited July 2014

    Thanks, MMSS -

    My levels were too high and they had to lower my dosage...twice.  We think they are okay now.  I will know for sure next week (had blood work done Thursday, waiting on results on thyroid levels).  The weight I gained is coming off, so I think levels are back on par. 

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