Thyroid problems after cancer treatment?

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PurpleMinion
PurpleMinion Member Posts: 165
edited April 2017 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Has anyone else had wonky thyroid numbers/function after chemotherapy? I now have hyperthyroidism which, the endocrinologist tells me, could be from the treatments I've had, or iodine contrast dye from the scans. It's either temporary Hashimoto's and will resolve over time or it's a triggered autoimmune disorder (Grave's) that will likely be something I have to deal with from here on out (she's betting on the former, but said it's 50/50, we'll do more testing in a couple of weeks to find out). So, anyone else have this kind of thing happen?

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited April 2016

    I've been having problems too but for hypothyroid dx about 2 years ago. I had yearly MRI scans with contrast for pancreatic cyst. Now I'm struggling with some side effects and may need to a dose adjustment on my Armour Thyroid medication. You are not alone with these thyroid issues post treatments. (I had previous chemo and radiation treatments too.)

    http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/820119


    Radiocontrast-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction: Is It Common and What Should We Do About It?





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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited April 2016

    http://www.livescience.com/18080-routine-scans-thy...


    Routine Scans May Cause Thyroid Problems


    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/iodide-he...


    Iodide Heart Scans Linked to Thyroid Disease

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  • PurpleMinion
    PurpleMinion Member Posts: 165
    edited April 2016

    cp418, thank you so much, I will check out these links!

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited April 2016

    A co-worker had non-hodgkin's lymphoma about 20 years ago and was treated with chemo. I recall she mentioned having MRI scans done over the years. She is being treated for hyperthyroid now.

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2016

    My sister and I have both had chemo. She at age 28 for an aggressive T-cell lymphoma; me at 45 for a non-aggressive breast cancer. There is no history of thyroid issues in our family. None. Seven years after her chemo treatments she was diagnosed with Graves Disease and Thyroid Eye Disease. Seven years after my chemo treatments, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and Thyroid Eye Disease. We have treated our Graves in different ways, partially because we were diagnosed at far different ages, partially because the "knowledge base" has changed. I have no question in my mind that my Graves and Eye Disease are a result of the chemo. I have tried to get several nationally recognized Endos to consider creating a study of this issue, but so far, no takers.

    *susan*

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  • PurpleMinion
    PurpleMinion Member Posts: 165
    edited April 2016

    Super interesting Susan, thankyou for your response. My endo happens to be married to an onco so maybe there will be such a study in the future, they talk a lot and even did a mini text consult while I was there!

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  • msmargaux
    msmargaux Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2016

    Hi purple minion, I have thyroid issues

    (hypothyroidism) since treatment was over 12 years ago and am on levothyroxin..I am currently getting more hormone tests done soon asI think its gotten worse because of my symptoms.fatigue weight gain,bloating,hair thinning ,depression ect. I had graves disease for a time after as well.if i can help let me know ..i know this is not easy at all!.hugs Margux


    also I am a longterm Breast cancer survivor of 12 years now so if I can be of any help I will surely try.. as we ladies need to help one another .i finished my hormone supressing treatments about four years ago and have had major hormone issues/,imbalances symptoms ever since.

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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2016

    Hey, Purple!

    I am in your boat! I just finished chemo in Dec and rads in March and got diagnosed this week with hypothyroid and super high cholesterol. At least it explains why I started gaining weight like crazy and can sleep for fourteen hours.

    My primary care doctor told me the same as your endocrinologist.

    Just started the drugs and will recheck in two months. How are you doing after a month

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  • PurpleMinion
    PurpleMinion Member Posts: 165
    edited May 2016

    Peabrain,

    I am doing a LOT better, my thyroid numbers are starting to look more normal. I am still on the beta blocker, we'll do bloodwork next week and then I see the endo in about two weeks again and we'll see what she says!

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  • Peabrain
    Peabrain Member Posts: 268
    edited May 2016

    Awesome to hear, Purple! For both our sakes

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited April 2017

    Anyone here hypothyroid and taking a statin along with their thyroid medication?

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