Hi all, First the good news: Tuesday was my regular scheduled 3 month check with the ENT DOC and all is well with the cancer cure.

The bad news is I have been feeling progressively more and more tired for at least a month. Just before my DR' visit I looked up the symptoms of low thyroid output. I had 8 out of 12 symptoms. Long story short, I was right and I am now on SYNTHROID.

I bring this up for several reasons. First I had no idea how many different symptoms hypothyroid can cause. Second, Any folks who are worried about depression may want to get tested as that can be a symptom of a thyroid problem.

Here are some of the many symptoms:

Thyroid Disease Symptoms
Rapid and inappropriate weight gain or loss, despite diet/exercise
Constipation or diarrhea
Feeling extremely cold or hot
Particularly high or low pulse rate
High or very low cholesterol levels
High or low blood pressure
Fatigue, exhaustion
Insomnia
Hair, skin and nail problems, hair loss
Puffiness, swelling in eyes, face, hands, feet
Pains, aches in joints, hands and feet Carpal-tunnel syndrome, tendonitis
Irregular menstrual cycles
Infertility, miscarriage
Depression, mood swings
Anxiety, panic attacks
Low sex drive
Sensitive eyes
Heart palpitations
Hand tremors
Hoarse or gravely voice
Neck, throat discomfort, pain, choking feeling


If you have had head and neck radiation, Thyroid output problems are a possible and fairly common side effect. It is also fairly easy to take care of and the test is simple (blood). As I have learned the symptoms can sneak up on you so study up on the symptoms and keep a watch for them.

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the hit list! That makes more sense of what I am experiencing. The doctors told me it was a 50% chance of thyroid damage (I had radiation and chemo only). I would imagine that in the very near future I will be getting a thyroid function test and end up on Synthroid.


Gary, Stage III, SCC, Right Tonsil

Good information, Mark. I just want to add that at 8 months out from chemo/rad I had a sudden and sharp decrease in energy (went from running to walking) but thyroid tests all showed up weird. Endocrinolgist said chemo was still affecting the results -- even after all that time, which surprised me. I will have more tests in a couple of months, and until then just walk very fast. I read somewhere that at least 50% of people who receive head and neck radiation will develop hypothyroidism. Add to that the fact that at least 50% of all women will do the same, and I figure I will be on drugs by the end of the year (grin). I, and perhaps others, will be interested to know how easy it is or isn't to get the dosage right for you.
Joanna