Levothyroxine and BC risk?

I had half my thyroid removed a month before diagnosis because of a suspicious nodule (pathology showed it to be benign). I have taken levothyroxine since then so this interested me when I heard about it a while back.

I just received a report from Promethease analyzing my 23andme genetics. What was interesting is that one gene will put you at increased risk for a disease and another gene will put you at lower risk. It was fascinating to see just how many genes there are and how much things really do have to line up to make something actually happen. So after all the research and analyzing I come back to it being a crap shoot.

I do think there are things we can do to help counteract proclivity or genetic lean by having generally good health with diet, exercise and decreasing stress but worrying about this stuff makes it really hard to decrease stress. My current focus is meditation or mindfulness to try to chill a bit. :-)

Colleen, It’s been 5 years for me and I still worry but I think it could be a personality thing that I am trying to correct. I think the worry definitely decreases the longer you are ‘ok’. :

morning everyone, interesting thread. I remember reading through a few of the others in the past. I've been on levothyroxine for 15 years for hypothyroid, also have Crohn's. Now breast cancer. Triple whammy? There has to be a connection.

What is baffling is by looking at me you would never guess. I have my labs done regularly for thyroid and have needed no adjustments. Get this, diagnosed with Crohn's in the mid 80's. Surgery in 1990. Since then no meds no nothing. No diarrhea, ever. Healthiest Crohn's person I know. Now breast cancer. Caught "early". But my guard will never be down as we all know.

So here I am. Even with these autoimmune diseases I'm symptom free. Healthy weight. Lift weights. Yoga. Run, eat healthy, active at work, in good spirits etc. Zero chemo side effects. Maybe it goes back to what Wren said about stress and mindfulness. Definitely important and can be so difficult at times.

Now that I'm "done " with BC treatment other than that little pill I catch myself worrying more than I'd like. Just not sure if there is an autoimmune specialist out there that can offer any ideas at keeping things at bay since I have so many things going on?. Or I just keep doing what I'm doing and keep on living while waiting for the other shoe to drop?. I welcome any suggestion and thanks for listening.

I had taken Levothyroxine for decade's for Hypo. Started having problems with numbers about 2 yrs ago,asked my Edocrinologist about Armour he put me on it my numbers got normal again! THIS February 2018 had lumpectomy /Triple negative BC, now taking Chemo on my second cycle !Grrr! AFTER 2nd chemo treatment my thyroid went hyper causing Heart Paputations, thought I was having a heart attack, very scary. AFTER 8 WKS Of Feeling like Heck my NUMBERS ARE FINALLY UNDER CONTROL. No Family history of BC , Thanks for sharing this may be my cause!

colleen, I've been under the care of GI for over 25 years. I'm in limbo as to a specialist that deals with autoimmune in general that may have suggestion for keeping things in check.

I looked at your stats and we are diagnosed around the same time. I hope with time you will find yourself with periods of time where you do "forget," if that makes sense. It may only be for an hour but hey, it's an hour. If you feel you need medication then ask for it. For me, keeping busy helps a little. It makes my days go faster. Maybe one day breast cancer wont be the first thought when I wake up and the last thought before I go to bed. Only time will tell there. Have you considered yoga or meditation? Take care. You are not alone!

Very interesting discussion. I also have Hashimotos thyroditis and have been on Armour for 4 years. No family history of any autoimmune disorders and nobody else has had BC. However, I still think my breast implants (which I had implanted 10 years ago) caused Hashimoto's which then caused BC

ColleenS, you are welcome. One potential good news is that if the autoimmune disease is triggered by cancer, the likelihood of metastasis of that particular cancer seems to decrease. For instance vitiligo developing in conjunction with melanoma is documented to be associated with a significant drop in the metastasis rate of melanoma. So it looks like having an autoimmune response to cancer is better than having an immune system completely oblivious to cancer.

One thing is sure and that we who suffer from hypothyroidism would be feeling pretty dreadful without snythyroid so there is not much choice in the matter and if bc is associated there is nothing one can do to prevent it. Autoimmune complaints appear to be idiosyncratic and until further research provides the answers we would all like, it is best to ignore it and focus on living happily.

My GP told me that my TSH would be elevated temporarily after chemo. I had half my thyroid removed just before being diagnosed with breast ca but the other side functioned fine for almost a year. When TSH went up and I started on thyroxine my GP told me it would be temporary but I am still taking the levothyroxine 5 years later so I am not sure whether the other side of my thyroid would have decreased function without chemo and it was just a coincidence since I only had one dose of chemo.

I would just keep a close eye on TSH levels to see if you need adjustments. If you google thyroid function and chemo there is some information from others in case this thread is missed.

My TSH plummeted close to zero and free T3 went above normal. I ended up monitoring them every 3 weeks, and kept adjusting the medication. But in my case, there is strong evidence the autoimmunity has been triggered by the breast cancer.

In your case they might stay the same, unless the treatment somehow will also help adresa the pituitary tumor. Best wishes!

Bee, I arranged with my onc to monitor along with the rest of the blood tests he ordered. All blood work was reviewed in his office and results passed to me. When needed to adjust the hormone dose, I called the endo, report the TSH, free T3 and free T4, and decide what to change over the phone. Basically, I didn't have any extra doctor appts for this.

You are welcome and good luck! Would be great if you could come back and let us know what happened to the thyroid tests.